Dear Diary, it’s early morning, Jem is off to work, and I’m waiting for my parents to arrive. It’s so strange how I feel as the anxiousness gathering inside my belly is partly because I want to see them, and partly because I don’t.
Even though I’ve been hard on my mother, I want to please her which means showing her everything here is fine. My dad will probably see through that and want to know what I’ve gotten myself into. Who am I kidding? My mom will never believe everything’s okay. I’m so screwed.
The butterflies were fluttering hard in my stomach as I wondered what they would do. What will they do?
“They’re here!” Perla called from the living room as she peered out the window.
She’d been spending a lot of time here since Alger had moved in. Alger didn’t seem to mind her overt advances on his person. In fact, he and Perla had become fast friends. At the rate they were going, he just might become her number seven.
I stood at the front door, cleared my throat and straightened my shirt over the growing belly bump. When they came in, they looked… unhappy.
“Mom, Dad, it’s good to see you.”
Dad was the first to speak. His eyes focused on me while Mom’s eyes soaked in the surroundings. I could almost read her mind. She was adding up the cost of the furnishings, the carpets and draperies and the upkeep on the place.
“I’ve missed you so much, Chicken.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. “I miss you, too.”
Alger and Perla joined us as Dad pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight. What really shocked me was when Mom put her arms around both of us. We stood that way for a long moment and I heard her say, “Oh, my girl.”
I’ve definitely been too hard on her. When I’d first read about how against my moving to Sunlit Tides Mom was, it incensed me. It appears she went to great lengths to deter my plans. It was like she had no faith in me at all.
But with everything I’d been through, being angry with her didn’t seem important at all. It had been a child’s grudge and didn’t matter now. I needed her on my side. Looking into her eyes, I knew I had her.
“Let’s look at you,” Dad said as we all stepped apart.
“I’m fat,” I said, the color rising in my cheeks.
Both my parents shook their heads, speaking words of protest.
“You look lovely,” Mom said. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes, I’m feeling fine.”
It was hard to read Dad’s face as he gazed at me. The lines etched into his once young face told a story of sleeplessness and worry, I thought. It didn’t feel good it was all on account of me.
“You remember Perla, of course,” I said, waving my arm in her direction.
“It’s good to see you again, Perla,” Mom said.
“Thank you, it’s good to see the both of you as well. I trust your trip was smooth?”
“No complaints there,” Mom said. “The flight was a little bumpy but nothing too out of the ordinary. We’re just so glad to finally be here.”
“Mom, Dad, this is Mr. Alger Mullins.”
“You’re renting the apartment?” Dad asked.
Alger nodded. “That’s right. After I’m settled in completely, I plan to get to know the local people and write about life here.”
“That’s interesting,” Dad said.
“We’ll see you later, Darling,” Perla said to me. “Alger Dear is taking me to breakfast.”
“Enjoy yourselves,” I said with a smile.
“Are they…?” Mom let the question trail off as she watched them leave together, Perla slipping her arm inside Alger’s.
Laughing a little, I said, “If Perla has anything to say about it, they are.”
They seemed impressed as I showed them around the house. When we came back downstairs, they followed me into the dining room. I’d let Sherman and Henrietta wander in whenever they liked. And Dad seemed taken with Sherman. I’d never seen him interact with a cat before but they liked each other right away.
“Is this your cat?” he asked.
“No, he doesn’t belong to anyone. That’s what Perla says anyway. He does live with her, though. And his name is Sherman.”
Dad bent down, cooing to Sherman and scratching between his ears.
“I think Perla gets a little stranger every time I see her,” Mom said.
“You haven’t seen her in a long time,” I said. “She’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.”
“Well, I’m glad you have her. It makes me feel better knowing there is someone we know close to you.”
I could understand what she meant, but it didn’t hit me the way she intended. My feathers felt a bit ruffled and my first instinct was to tell her I needed no one looking after me. Fortunately, I was able to stop myself. She hadn’t said those exact words and any objection to her words would have come off snarky and mean.
“You have a lovely kitchen,” Mom said.
I couldn’t help but feel she was holding back what she really wanted to say. It was clear in her tone of voice. She was walking on eggshells.
Before I could say anything, Dad tapped my arm and said, “Let’s take a walk. I’m dying to see the water.”
Once we were on the beach with the house still in view behind us, Dad stopped me.
“Chicken, what’s going on?”
I played dumb. “What do you mean?”
I think it took everything he had to keep his cool. His mouth was a thin line, and he was staring at me all squinty like he was about to burst that throbbing vein in his temple. I’d never seen him in such a state
Finally, I sighed and gave in. “I’m sorry. I just don’t feel like talking about it. Can’t we enjoy our visit?”
“No, I’m sorry to say we can’t until we talk about this.”
I fought to hold back tears. For a moment, all I wanted was to feel his arms around me as he told me everything would be all right. But I wasn’t a little girl anymore, and this was real life where I had to take care of the problems I’d made for myself.
“Chicken…”
Hiccuping back a sob, I said, “I’m sorry, Daddy. I know I’ve disappointed you and Mom so much.”
His eyes softened and his mouth relaxed. “We’re worried about you. Tell me what’s going on.”
And, so I did. I told him the whole sordid tale about how Jem had reentered my life and swept me off my feet. I admitted to him the doubts I’d had and how I’d forged ahead, regardless. He knew it all now about the house, the bills, and what we owed Grandpa Xalen and Grandma Marty.
They say when you share a burden with someone, you feel better. But the entire time I spoke, my dad remained stoic, just listening. And, so, I can’t say I felt better, only relieved that someone besides me knew how I felt and what a mess I’d made of things.
He was quiet for what seemed ages. When he finally spoke, it was with a firmness I’d never heard. “Who you marry is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. I’m shocked you treated it so flippantly.”
New tears formed in my eyes and my lip was shaking. I felt on the verge of a nervous breakdown and realized if I said anything in response, my emotions would come tumbling out of me. This was a frightening prospect and one I’d never faced before.
“I think you understand that now, though,” Dad continued. “I will tell you something I observed before you moved here. You and Jem were huddled together a lot and acting kind of secretive. I didn’t interfere because there were things you needed to figure out for yourself as you got older. But it’s always stuck out in my mind. Does that have anything to do with what’s happened now?”
It was surprising to hear him bring this up since I hadn’t thought about it in a long time. If only I’d thought about this when Jem returned, maybe I would have put the breaks on to think about what I was doing.
It was time to explain things to my dad. “About a year before we graduated, Jem wanted to date. We kissed but there was nothing else. I remember not liking the fact he wanted me to stay in Fortress Rock. He was holding me back.”
“When he showed up after all that time, I thought I was wrong. He was willing to move to Sunlit Tides to be with me.”
Dad rubbed his jaw as he digested what I’d told him. “Just because you grew up together and were close friends does not mean you were destined to spend the rest of your lives together. Why was he in such a rush?”
The question stung as I’d never understood the rush either. My own husband wouldn’t divulge the answer to that no matter how often I asked.
“I don’t know except that he said he had prospects now as sous-chef.”
“You don’t know? I’m surprised you wouldn’t wonder that and ask him.” He must have seen the answer in my face. “You have asked him but he hasn’t told you. A marriage with secrets can never survive.”
“I know,” I said. There it was. The admission I hadn’t wanted to face for fear of hurting Jem’s feelings.
“I can’t tell you what to do but I will say it’s hard seeing you like this. You look… tormented. You can’t go on like this.”
I could only stand there with my pathetic shoulders drooping and my lip shaking. How could I have let things go along like this? What was wrong with me? More importantly, what was I going to do about it?
“This is too big for me, Dad. I have a baby to think about now and I’m being crushed by everything on top of me.”
Relief passed through his eyes and his stance relaxed slightly. “That’s the first time since we got here you mentioned the baby. You’re right you have a greater responsibility now because that little life depends on you for everything. What is it you want, Bea?”
All at once, the tears, the absolute grief I’d been feeling burst forward, and I sobbed. Dad attempted to embrace me, but I waved him away. I didn’t deserve his comfort or help. Not after the royal mess I’d made.
He waited patiently until I composed myself.
“Do you want to come home?”
I did, but the moment I heard the question, I also heard my mom telling my dad I’d be back home because I’d failed. I was no failure! Stupid sometimes, yes, but not a failure!
“No, I’m not moving back home with my tail between my legs-“
“-That isn’t what I meant.”
“I know you didn’t mean it that way and I’m grateful I have a place to go if I need it. But now that I know what I have to do, I’ll make a plan.”
He pressed his eyes shut and took a deep breath. My answer was not what he wanted to hear.
“Are you ashamed of me, Dad?”
“Never!” he said, looking at me again. “Never think that. There was a time when I thought my dad might be ashamed of me and I agonized over it. I never want you to feel that way.”
“But Grandpa Xalen wasn’t ashamed of you.” I remembered reading about a meeting Dad and Grandpa had one evening in the city where they discussed this.
“No, he wasn’t. And I’m not of you. I meant what I said before you moved out. You can always come home no matter what. No judgments from your mom and me.”
“I appreciate that and I love you both so much. This is something I have to do on my own though.”
“Where’d this come from?” Jem asked after he got home from work.
We were in the family room upstairs where I’d been working on putting a baby swing together. I’m not the handiest of people, but working on this project helped me bring my thoughts into focus. Dealing with Jem and the entire situation would be the hardest thing I’d ever done.
“The ‘rents. They said it will come in handy.”
He nodded. “Cool. They’re downstairs making dinner. I think they like the house.”
Chewing on my lower lip, I wondered where to begin.
“What’s wrong?”
For a moment, I avoided looking at him even though I knew it wasn’t fair. He had the right to know everything honestly or he would never accept it.
“We need to talk.”
“Okay. It sounds kind of serious.”
“Well, it is. I’m not sure exactly where to start.”
“You’re worrying me…”
This already sounded like a breakup. I wasn’t doing well at all.
“Jem, I’m just going to say it. This isn’t working, and it’s not totally your fault. I’m just as much to blame because I didn’t listen to my inner voice, and I rushed into decisions without taking the proper time to think it through.”
His face drained of color and for a minute, I was afraid he’d pass out. He stood that way, stone still, for several worrying seconds.
“Jem, I’m sorry. The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
“B-but we have a house… and a baby on the way! What about that?”
“Yes, we have tons of responsibilities and it’s crushing me! We can’t keep this house. If we do, it will be an anchor around our necks and we may never recover financially. We should be focusing on our new baby but all we can do is fret over finances and this overly huge house!”
“You wanted this house, and I got it for you! Ever since, you can’t stand the fact that you couldn’t get it for yourself and you’ve given me nothing but grief about it!”
I think I lost my mind right then.
“I’ve given you grief? I have?” I yelled. “Since you arrived, you’ve kept secrets and put pressure on me to follow your plan, such as it was. You never listen to anything I say!”
“What? That’s ridiculous! I dropped you into the lap of luxury because you said this house was your ultimate dream!”
“Guess what, Jem? We can’t afford luxury! We’re only heads above water right now because of my Aunt Rosetta and Alger’s rent. How long do you think we’ll stay there, though? We need to get out while we can. Not just me, but you, too! Or do you plan on mooching off my grandpa forever?”
His jaw clenched and the color was back in his face, in bright shades of crimson.
“I can’t live like this. I admitted my fault in where we’re at but you never come clean about the things you’ve done. You pressured me into this marriage and this house!”
“We’re meant to be together, Bea,” he said, his voice low, his incredulous eyes glaring.
His manner had chills going down my neck and back. I suppressed a shiver as best I could. He had to realize I was serious.
“I want a divorce. I have no intention of continuing this way. I’m afraid if we don’t get out now, we’ll end up hating each other.”
“This has to do with your parents’ visit, right? What did they say to you? Are you going back to Fortress Rock?”
“I haven’t made a definite plan but I’ve already spoken with Alger. He’s disappointed, but he’s hoping Grandpa will let him stay on and pay rent. I told him I would take care of that.”
“You spoke to Alger? Before speaking to me?” He clenched his fists at his side.
Jem had never even hinted at violence before, but his stance made me take a few steps backward.
“You weren’t home yet and I made up my mind. I’m filing for divorce and I’m moving back into Perla’s cottage house until I decide what to do.”
“You can’t do this! You can’t leave me!”
I shuddered as he shouted at me, the hairs on my arms standing up.
Just as I was about to answer, I saw my dad standing right behind him.
“Jem, I think it’s time you and I had a chat.”
In an instant, Jem went from towering over me, to shrinking in front of Dad. “This is between me and my wife.”
“Let’s talk,” was Dad’s unwavering answer.
Once they left the room, my emotions crashed all around me like shards of glass from a broken window. My eyes were full to the brim with tears, but I wasn’t crying. My hands relaxed, and I realized my fists had also been clamped tight. There were grooves in my palms where my fingernails had made imprints.
Ending my marriage was bittersweet. In the end, it had been a relief to concede to my father the mistakes I’d made. It would always be sad that Jem and I would probably never share the close friendship we’d once had.
I put a hand over my swollen stomach and thought about the loss of the house. It was my goal to turn this place into a bed-and-breakfast. Now, the dream left a rotten taste in my mouth and I no longer wanted it. Jem had stolen it from me the moment he’d gone behind my back.
I would have to find a new dream. For me, and my baby.
As always, thank you for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting,
Whew! I know I’m a latecomer to this story but I just gotta say I think Bea really dodged a bullet with that one. Red flags all over the place! Resisting the urge to skip ahead and see if I’m right… ;p
LOL Better late than never, right? You made me smile. I’m glad you’re reading it, that’s so kind of you.
As for Bea! You just may be right! 😀
Wow! So, the day of reckoning finally came. I think we’ve seen this coming for a long time, and it took Holden talking to his daughter to bring it out in the open. It freaked me out though how Jem reacted. It seems like he’s got some sociopathic tendencies, and the borderline obsessiveness creeps me out. Even with the divorce, I think he’s going to come back and haunt her and make things really hard for her. This isn’t over yet, not by a long shot.
Yes, it’s here, and I think the writing was on the wall regarding their marriage. Jem has a side to him that’s darker than Bea realizes. Hopefully, she’s seeing this and understanding that all is not what it seems with him. You’re right, though, it’s not over.
Wowza…. I didn’t expect her to end it so abruptly! But it was probably for the best. I mean, Jem didn’t tell her his secret even at that last moment, so what’s the point of ever trusting him anyway?
I was so glad we got to see Holden and Ellie! Bea’s talk with her dad was super sweet, I love how supportive he always is <3 And Ellie well… she tried not to judge, but she can't help it lmao. She – not so – secretely judges! 😁
Let's hope Bea will get out of this mess eventually! 😥
Thank you so much 🙂 I think you have Ellie down so well. haha She does try so hard to not do that. 😀 I couldn’t wait for Holden and Bea to get together and have their talk. There’s always been a close connection between them and I knew Holden would try to help her out. And you’re right about Jem and whether Bea could even trust him at this point.
OOOH YEAH DADDY HOLDEN COMING IN AND GIVING JEM A TALKING TO!
I’m sooo relieved with this. I have a sense that Jem is still going to be hanging on, hopefully, but he doesn’t see his own flaws and how his actions are wrong. He really did pressure her into a lot of things and didn’t think much of it. I’m sure he does love her, but believing that overcomes or is worth doing everything for is so wrong.
You are so right on so many levels. lol I think this is a good thing for Bea even though it may seem like a sudden decision. Her doubts must have run deeper than she was willing to admit. Wait until you see how the split goes. lol 😀 All I can really say to add to this is that it’s a good thing Holden was there because that could have gotten ugly. If only Bea could have been a fly on the wall during their “discussion.” 😂
I would not be surprised if Jem HAD TO BE MARRIED TO WITH CHILDREN TO INHERIT HIS LEGACY AND MARRIED FOR A MIN. OF 5 YEARS just thinking out loud
Thank you, Phyllis 🙂 You know, that’s a terrific idea for the story. 😀 Time will tell if you’re right.
OMG! This was so real and close to home that it freaked me out a little. I had to eat several donuts to bring myself back to reality. Whew! Close call. Excellent job of capturing the emotions of such a life changing event. Bea is certainly going through all of those things that cause Head Elves to panic and jump out one’s ears and tumble off the shoulders into the unknown. It was heart warming to see Bea’s parents exercise some tough love. My mother didn’t approve of my leaving home for fame and fortune at 18 with no plan, no job, no money, and a nebulous future. Of course, there was a girl involved and that didn’t please my mother either. My dad was like, “High five boy! When you moving out? Tonight right? 😳 The rest is hysteria.
Hello and thank you! 🙂 I’m sorry for the late reply but I was migrating my site to a new host and so if I had replied sooner, it probably would have disappeared. 🙂
Anyway, I’m sorry to hear it freaked you out but I do believe donuts cure everything. 😀 That tough love was difficult for easy going Holden. He’s normally an observer. haha I laughed at the description of how your mom felt when you left home at 18. 😀 That sounds kind of familiar, actually. lol Your dad’s reaction is hysterical!
I am no good at writing from my kindle but this was a good chapter! Looking forward to “the rest of the story” about Jem!! 👍
Hi, Marj, I’ve missed you. I hope you’re feeling better now and I hope my virtual hugs helped. ❤❤ I’m glad you’re looking forward to the rest. 😀
Wow I’m really shocked that just one talk to the parents and Bea is ready to file for divorce. If it went that fast, she really must have been lying deeply to herself about how she felt about Gem. I’m really sad she just takes these big decisions as if on a whim. She should know better by now. However, I’m glad she finally talked to her dad. If only they had talked earlier…
I totally understand your shock as this entire thing is whirlwind. Bea admits as much in the next chapter. I think you’re right that on a very deep level, she already knew it had to come to this. I agree that it’s sad she doesn’t give these huge decisions more gravity. She really should know better by now, you’re right. Oh, yes, if only they’d talked sooner. Maybe she’ll be more open to asking her parents’ advice from now on? Let’s hope!
I still have answers I want from Jem, but I’m glad he’s being cut out of her life now. You go, Bea! That was a hard conversation to have and I’m glad Holden was there to prevent any violence from happening. Don’t want Bea or her baby to get hurt D:
Oh, yes, answers are still coming even though Bea has called it quits. She finally did it! lol I shudder to think what might have happened if Holden hadn’t been there.
I still want to know why he was in such a hurry to get married what was he keeping from her?
Yes, you will know in two chapters. lol I’m sorry it’s taking that long but some other stuff has to happen first. You’ll understand when you see what’s going on. Anyway, he’s not completely out of the picture and you will have answers. 😀
It’s a good thing Holden was present. This almost got really ugly. For everyone’s sake, I hope Jem can get the help he obviously needs.
As for Bea, this is that perfect example of why it’s so important to to listen when your gut feeling is telling you something is off.
You are so right about that. I shudder to think what might have gone on if he hadn’t been there to reign it all in. Perhaps Holden might guide Jem in the right direction, too, not just Bea? 🙂 We’ll see.
Oh, my goodness! Right? Never ignore that inner voice telling you something isn’t right!
YES YES YES!! Standing ovation, loud applause….if only you had such the backbone before the baby! Sigh. Good to get out now before all the drama falls…because you see it swirling around his head just waiting to drop like a ton of bricks. Although I still want to know the story there. Bravo Holden for knowing his daughter so well and standing firm. I’m glad she is going back to Perla and not doing it alone.
Yes! It’s in the works now! lol Jem will still be in the story for a while so we will still find out what the big yank was to get married right then and not later. 😀 I think it’s good Holden was there, too, and put on a firm face instead of his usual easy going one. lol It is too bad, you are right, that Bea didn’t have the backbone before the baby, but here we are.
Oh my, rushing in, rushing out. The one as bad as the other, I think. I still wonder, what was the cause for Jem’s hurry. Of course buying the big house after Bea’s back was a thoughtless decision, but was it a try to make an absolutely impression on Bea ? Well, it went badly wrong and I enjoyed reading. 🙂
Yes, that’s a good point about rushing in and rushing out. It would be better if Bea took a moment to pause and think about it all before she makes hasty decisions. Jem isn’t completely out of the picture, so we’ll still get to see what his hurry was. I think when he bought the house, he had good intentions and, yes, he wanted to make a favorable impression on her. Bea just didn’t like the way he went about it. lol
Oh no. It’s the ending I didn’t want but thought might happen. Bea is awesome! She finally got the guts to do what I think she had wanted to do the whole time. The house was a dumb and terrible decision. I’m not sure what Jems problem is but something tells me we are going to find out. This was a great chapter. I wonder if the real reason Rosetta left Bea alone was because she already knew she was going to make the right decisions. 😉
This is already a wild ride! Especially considering I thought Bea’s generation was going to be pretty chill! Of course you know how to add in the perfect amount of drama!
I wasn’t planning on this happening so soon but this chapter kind of took on a life of its own. lol Bea wasn’t having it anymore and Holden was having it even less. 😂
You’re right that the house was a dumb decision, and it really spelled the beginning of the end for them. We’ll still find out what’s up with Jem still as we’ll be seeing more of him. That’s a great point about Rosetta! LOL You might be right about that. 😀
I had planned on Bea’s generation being chill but then that drama crept in! hahaha 😀
Well that was unexpected. I knew he was acting weird to begin with, but I wouldn’t have expected him to react that way. Probably best for Bea to end the marriage and move. 😕
I think you might be right about that. Honestly, I think it’s best for both of them. Let’s hope that someday, Jem will realize that, too.
I’m sure he will and will kick himself for it too.
Oh, yeah, you’re probably right about that!
In all fairness it does seem a little out of the blue for Jem I imagine .. with her moving on it is too bad we will not see much more of “Alger Dear”
I agree with you 100%. I think Jem thought since they were above water at the moment, things were looking better. He’s sure Holden and Ellie had something to do with this. As for “Alger Dear,” I won’t let that dangle out there without resolution. 😀 😀 😀
Alger dear is adorable ❤️
Awww thank you. I think so, too. ❤
Jem and his family have bugged me for a long time. I’m glad she had the guts to stand up to him and that her dad was there. I have a feeling had he not been there, either she wouldn’t have done it or it may have escalated badly. Sadly, with the baby, and his obsession with her, things may get ugly.
You’re right about that. This won’t be the clean break Bea needs and it might get messy. In the next chapter, you’ll see how they decided to move forward from here. It’s definitely a good thing Holden was there because I think you’re right that Bea probably wouldn’t have stood up to him.
Still waiting for Jem to spill the T, so we can find out how much Rosetta (as a potential threat to Jem) played into his haste.
LOL I like how you think! 😀
Oh, sad, sad, sad. So many misunderstandings, so much inexperience!
Yes, that’s really what it all comes down to. Hopefully, they can both move forward and have peaceful lives.
The lines etched into his once young face told a story of sleeplessness and worry, I thought. It didn’t feel good it was all on account of me.
That was powerful.
I love Firm Dad Holden. We’ve always seen him so lax and kinda soft before even when he shares his concerns or gave advice. Authority looks good on him. 🙂
It was my goal to turn this place into a bed-and-breakfast. Now, the dream left a rotten taste in my mouth and I no longer wanted it. Jem had stolen it from me the moment he’d gone behind my back.
Dang! That’s pretty messed up.
Well! That took shorter than I thought it would. See ya, Jem! LOL
LOL Don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out, Jem! 😂 Unfortunately, because of Jem’s obsessiveness and the child they’re expecting, this won’t be a clean break. But maybe it won’t all be bad. We’ll find out soon. 😀
I think authority looks good on Holden, too. Perhaps he doesn’t just look like Xalen as he gets older, maybe he acts more like him, too. lol I think he’s agonized over his daughter’s predicament and so lax Holden needed to go away.
I’m glad you liked those lines. I worked especially hard on them. lol This chapter ended up being more difficult than usual to write.
“I don’t think anyone here wants a clean break,” she said with a mouthful of popcorn. “Get out of the way! You’re blocking the screen!” 😀
It seems the difficult chapters turn out to be some of the best ones! *applause*
LOLOLOL 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Priceless!
Thank you. 🙂
😀
Woah! I’m really surprised that it came to this, but I’m also proud of Bea. She’s not stupid at all and I can’t blame her for agreeing to the marriage at all. She was swept up in… eh, whatever it is that’s wrong with Jem. Seriously, that boy (I don’t feel like I can call him a man – he doesn’t seem like it, you know?). So glad that Bea decided it doesn’t work and it was also… kind of good to have daddy Holden there to support her :O Jem got a little scary there. Hope we don’t have a creepy stalker on our hands, because from your Get to Know-tag, he seems kind of manic and obsessed with Bea :/ I don’t like it. At. All.
Ah, this generation is really unfolding now and I’m so excited for more, Kym! 😀
YAY! I’m so glad to see you say that! 😀 I’m proud of Bea, too. Having her parents there is what she really needed to get to this point, as hard as it was to admit to herself. I wonder what would have happened if Holden hadn’t been there to interrupt their argument? And I can totally see why you think of him as a boy rather than a man. This relationship won’t have the clean break Bea wants, but how could it when Jem is so obsessed and they’re expecting a child? Next chapter will see a lot of changes in Bea’s life! 😀
Yikes! You can feel the anger building during that argument, how things start to spiral and get more out of hand. I would have wanted to walk away from the house and everything and start afresh with everything that had happened, so I do hope she can, for her and the bump! x
Thank you 🙂 I hope she can, too, because that’s really what she and the bump need. lol I don’t see how they can stay together as their relationship seemed to be ending the moment it began. Let’s hope Jem sees this is the only way to move forward, too. xo
So, that’s the end. Honestly, we had seen it coming for a long time now… And still, Jem didn’t tell her what the matter was with all those secrets! When he said they were meant to be together and that she can’t live him, I felt shivers running down my spine. He seems too pushy, and close to obsessive. That did rub me the wrong way.
However, I did enjoy the talk Bea had with her dad. Holden looks so much like Xalen, more and more so as he gets older! Also, I like how Bea finally made the right decision. This child will be better off without Jem. Somehow, I can’t imagine him being a good dad.
I understand how Bea feels. She wanted to save up and get the house herself. When Jem did things behind her back and got the deal with her grandparents, he ruined her dream. I hope she finds someone better. I’m sure Perla has some advice, since she had had so many husbands!
LOL I’m sure Perla’s advice is golden! 😂 She’s on #7 after all. 😂
I noticed that Holden looks more and more like Xalen, too, as he ages. I’m glad you liked the talk he had with Bea. It helped her admit to herself what terrible decisions she’s made.
Jem does seem obsessive. We haven’t heard the last from him, so Bea will still find out why he was in a rush to get married. 😀
Bea’s made a mess of things, and it might get messy cleaning it up, too.