Chapter 24
After interrogating him the entire way home, Artene finally felt she had pried enough of the truth out of Pearson to let him off the hook. Only then did she finally relent and forgive him
He was practically giddy with relief and happiness, and as soon as they landed, he whisked her straight back to his family home
Before leaving for Switzerland, she’d promised him that when she got back, she would meet his family. Yet as their car tumed into the heart of Silverton’s most luuncus neighborhood, Arlene fell silent
She turned to Pearson, her voice low and exe
So, this is the ordinary family‘ you told me about?‘
“n’t it?” Pearson replied, feigning innocence. “Maybe my parents just raised me to be modest and humble, so I got a skewed perspective?
It was such a flawlessly evasive answer that, for the first time, Arlene realized how smooth Pearson could be with his words!
She was just about to tease him when the car molled to a slop
Outside, a whole crowd–at least a dozen people waited at the front door. For a moment, Adene’s usually composed eyes widened in shock
Didn’t he say it was just meeting his family? Why were there so many people?!!
Before she could even process it Pearson had already hopped out, opened her door and gently pulled her nut, launching into introductions
“Everyone, this is my fiancée Arlene.
“Wrene, this is my father, my mother, my older brother–over there is my aunt and uncle.
As he went down the line, Arlene barely dared to lift her head.
She’d heard the Macleod name, of course, but whether at her parents or during her marriage to Emery, she’d never actually crossed paths with them.
The only exception was Pearson’s older brother, the famously aloof head of the MacLeod Group, whom she’d glimpsed a few times at formal events. He seemed to remember her as well; his cool gaze lingered on her more than once.
Arlene’s heart already pounding, began to race even faster?
When the greetings finally ended, the seized the excuse of needing the restroom to escape and catch her breath. But as she stepped back out the nearly collided
with Joel MacLeod
He seemed to be waiting for her–offering his right hand, his eyes cold and unreadable.
“We didn’t get a proper introduction earlier. I thought Id correct that now: Should I call you Ms. Sinclair, or Mrs. Tucker?
The smile Arlene had just managed to muster froze on her lips.
But the regained her pone quickly, taking his icy hand and answering without a hint of embarrassment
“Ms. Sinclair is fine. My marriage to Emery is over–completely over?!
“Freshly divorced, and already engaged to Pearson?” Joel’s tone was loaded, his presence almost suffocating.
Arlene’s mind whirled, scrambling for a reasonable explanation. But every way she could phrase it sounded awkward and questionable
After a moments hesitation, she decided there was no point sugarcoating it?
Imet Pearson before my divorce was finalized. Technically. I was unfaithful But I don’t regret a thing.
Her honesty took Joel by surprise–a brief flicker of emotion crossed his otherwise impassive face
He nodded, then pressed on.
“Pearson’s quite a bit younger than you
About five years, if she remembered right
Arlene did the math quickly feeling her nerves twist. She knew what he was getting at–wondering if she’d deliberately gone after a youngerman.
And, well, in a way, she had.
But things had come this far Pearson hadn’t backed out, and she refused to falter now, not in front of his brother. She straightened her shoulders
“He’s young, yes, but he’s an adult. I respect his choices, and I followed my heart. That’s why I said yes to his proposal
A long silence fell in the narrow hallway
Arlene could feel panic sing in ber chest, the air suddenly too thin. But running away wasn’t an option; she forced herself to stand her ground, silently cheering
herself on
Her hands were starting to go numb from tension when Pearson appeared
He took one look at the scene and immediately understood, stepping forward to shield Arlene behind him.
Cine on Joel, haven’t we already talked about this? Why are you giving Arlene the third degree?”
Already talked about 117:
At that Arlene instinctively looked up
As their eyes met, something in Joel’s manner softened
“I only heard your side, Pearson. This is a serious matter–and I needed to see for myself.”
