A conversation happening diagonally behind me turned my attention away from Graham and the girls for a moment.
“That’s Graham Morgan out there.”
“Yes. You know the story, right? That Graham is really Chloe’s biological father?”
“Worst kept secret in the world if you ask me.”
“Apparently, everyone knew but him.”
“Crazy.”
“Imagine. One woman and two good-looking guys like that.”
“Sounds like one of your books, Elise.”
“I know, totally.”
“I guess Morgan went off the deep end for a while after Genevieve left him for Liam. Cut ties with a lot of people. He was really in love with her. Apparently, after he found out about the affair, he was so heartbroken, he came down here and shattered half the windows in this house.”
“Are you kidding?”
“No.”
“Wow. I’d have an affair just to see Stanley get half that passionate about me.”
“Gen’s paid for her mistakes, poor thing. Widowed at such a young age. We all acted foolishly when we were young. She didn’t deserve this predicament.”
“Well, it’s nice to see him here for the little girl.”
“I wonder if they’ll reunite for the sake of their daughter. They make beautiful children together.”
“That would be a happy ending to a tragic story, wouldn’t it?”
The only happy ending he’ll be getting is from me, bitch.
A few minutes later, I’d been so preoccupied thinking about what those women were saying that I hadn’t noticed Graham sneak up behind me to plant a kiss on my neck. The gossipers had taken notice, though. Their eyes were practically bugging out of their heads. Their little happily-ever-after fantasy was quickly challenged by Graham’s public display of affection with someone they probably assumed was working the party.
I couldn’t help myself when I turned to them and smiled. “Plot twist.”
Graham looked confused but didn’t question me about it.
He examined my face. “How are you holding up?”
I put on my best happy smile. “Good.”
“Chloe wants to open her presents, so I’m gonna head out to the car to get them.”
“I’ll help you.”
Graham and I made three separate trips back and forth to retrieve all of the gifts. When we returned, Genevieve was placing a massive cake that was shaped like a ruffly dress down on the table. All of the little girls swarmed around it like flies.
Genevieve had hired a professional photographer. When it was time for Chloe to blow out her candles, she waved for Graham to come around and get in the picture.
The photographer had Genevieve and Graham pose for several pictures with Chloe. The sight made my stomach churn because my mind kept replaying what those women were saying. It wasn’t that I didn’t want Graham in the picture next to his daughter, but seeing him so close to Genevieve was unnerving. The photographer probably assumed they were married. Seeing the three of them together made me wonder what would be happening right now if I weren’t in the picture. This scene was like a glimpse into the crystal ball of what could have been. Would Graham consider taking her back if it weren’t for me? He’d told me he wouldn’t, but it might be different if I didn’t exist in his life. I could be the very thing that is keeping that little girl from having her parents together. My own childhood came to mind.
Was I Chloe’s Theresa?
My thoughts turned to Graham, who was walking toward me with two ceramic plates of cake. Apparently, this children’s party was too high-end for paper goods.
“It’s chocolate.” He winked. “Your favorite.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him why I’d lost my appetite; even chocolate wouldn’t be able to heal the anxiety that came from the realization that I was a potential homewrecker. So, I forced the cake down as we stood together and watched as Chloe started opening her gifts.
One hour and piles upon piles of wrapping paper later, I really needed to use the bathroom. I’d been downing nothing but water and decaf coffee since alcohol was out of the question. Graham was assembling some of Chloe’s toys and hadn’t noticed me slip away.
The upstairs bathroom window afforded me the perfect view of where Graham was standing down below, showing Chloe how to ride a pogo stick. Feeling so conflicted, my heart clenched as I looked at Chloe’s sweet face, which was essentially a reflection of Graham’s face. Was I keeping this girl from the perfect fairytale of living under the same roof with both parents?