Destiny Undone: The Complete Series Box Set (25 page)

“Could you come up on Wednesday? I’ll make all the arrangements and pick you up from the airport.”

“That works for me. How are the whales? Good?”

“Wonderful, but I’ll be glad when they have a permanent home. They’re in good health and happy to be together, I’m sure.”

“Sounds great. I’m excited about meeting them. I’ll be in touch. How about I call you in the morning when I’m back in the office. I’ll have my assistant, Bobbie Jo, with me as well.”

“Great. Talk to you then and thank you.”

“Bye.” I hung up and smiled. Well, at least there was something positive to come out of today. Getting Sea Crest to donate those two whales to us was a big move for the aquarium—the biggest one yet—and I couldn’t stop grinning. I didn’t want to get into an argument with my parents about Pepper so instead, I walked back in and shared my news about the whales.

I could tell my mom was itching to interrogate me more about her, but Dad got the hint and gave her a look to leave it alone…for now, at least, and strolled over to the wine refrigerator.

“This calls for a celebration! I’m breaking out the champagne. How about a bottle of Bollinger?”

“Yes, pour me a glass please, James. I’ve had enough water for now. Wow, Gabe, I’m so proud of you, son. I know how hard you’ve worked on this and you deserve it. That’s amazing!”

Dad popped the bottle open and poured us all a glass of champagne. He raised his glass to me and said, “Here’s to you, Gabe! Good job, son!”

The rest of the conversation was light-hearted and natural. Neither of them mentioned Sophie or Pepper again and I learned a valuable lesson—to keep my love life to myself.

I opened my eyes and stared up into Charlotte’s worried face. “What happened?” I asked.

“Welcome back. You had us all worried.” Her soft voice soothed me for a moment until the memory of Dad’s words came crashing down on me again. I looked around and was glad to see that at least I wasn’t back in the hospital.

“Daddy?”

“I’m here.”

I sat up instinctively, and Daddy came over to sit beside me on the couch. He wrapped his arms around me, kissed my forehead and sighed. “Baby, I’m sorry I had to tell you this, but it’s not important as far as our family is concerned and it’s never been important. You’re my daughter and I love both you girls exactly the same, and with all my heart. I hope you believe me.”

Almost simultaneously, we said, “We do, Daddy,” then I wrapped my arms around his neck. I didn’t want to let him go and tears streamed down my face. My daddy had been my rock—no matter what—through all the craziness that I’d created, and Evangeline had created. He’d always been there for me, my anchor, and I knew that would never change—but still, my heart broke to hear the news that he wasn’t my biological father, after all.
Whose child am I? Where’s my real parents and why did they abandon me?

“Now, Pepper, listen to me. I’m sure you have a lot of questions, but try not to let this get you down. It’s not going to do you any good, even though I understand this is a big deal and you’ll need time to come to terms with it. It’s not going to be an easy process but don’t let this upset you too much—nothing’s changed between us, okay? I’m still the same old dad that you grew up with.”

“I know, Dad, but wow—just trying to take it all in. I just— I can’t believe this. ”

“Honey, you know you aren’t who some people think you are—who you thought you were. You are so much more and no matter whose DNA you’ve got, you’re one hundred percent an Anderson—my daughter, and I love you, kid. We all love you.”

I hugged Dad and sniffled. “I’ve got a lot to think about and I’m not going to do anything stupid. I swear.” I sat cross-legged on the couch and wiped the tears from my face with a couple of tissues that Charlotte had handed me—she really was a very nice woman. I didn’t have a clue what to do next. What was I supposed to do? Confront Evangeline? Obviously, we’d have to talk at some point and I wasn’t looking forward to that. All I knew in that moment was somewhere beyond my fucked-up emotions, I had a hell of a lot of anger towards her. No wonder she’d treated me so differently over the years.
Bitch.

Dad patted my hand. “I promise we’ll talk some more about this when I get back and I’m sorry we have to go, but Charlotte and I have to leave for a charity fundraiser for the local children’s home. I’d cancel if I could but I’m the guest speaker. Are you going to be okay?”

“Sure, Daddy. I’ve got Mills and I know the fundraiser is important. We’ll talk later, no problem,” I said and I kissed him on the cheek.

Charlotte stroked my hair out of my face and put her hand on my arm. “Don’t worry, Pepper. We’ll work this out and I’ll make sure we leave the charity event as early as we possibly can.” They both got up from the sofa and raised a hand to say goodbye then they left, and Mills and I were alone in the living room. Mills took Dad’s place beside me on the couch then she reached for my hand and put it in hers. We looked at each other briefly then looked away and sat in silence for a little while. We both just stared out of the big, glass doors that overlooked the ocean until Mills finally spoke.

“This doesn’t mean anything to us, Pepper. It doesn’t. We’re still sisters, no matter what.” I couldn’t even imagine what was going on in her head.
Why is my life so fucked up—our life?
“You’re not going to leave or anything, are you?”

“What? Leave? Of course not. I’d never leave you over this, Mills. And anyway, where would I go? This is my home and Daddy has been my Daddy forever. I’m just really pissed that he didn’t tell me sooner.”

“You heard him, Pep. He didn’t want to hurt you and you not being his biological daughter isn’t important to him. He loves—”

“—but it’s fucking important to me. Mills! You don’t understand, you’re not adopted!” I screamed, and glared at her. She had no idea how I felt—she actually
knew
her parents.

She said, “I’m sorry! I still can’t believe it myself,” and I noticed her big, blue eyes were watering, like she was going to cry.

I shouldn’t have taken out my anger on Mills, but I wasn’t in the comforting mood. “It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not. It’s obviously true. This isn’t something Daddy would lie about.” I took a big breath, let out a long sigh and took a few moments to decide what I was going to do. First, I had to talk to Evangeline. I hated to even look at her after what she did with Church, but this situation needed to be discussed—and soon. Mills must have been reading my thoughts because the next thing she’d asked was, “What about Evangeline?”

“What about her? You can’t defend her now, Mills. I have no idea who my parents are, yet she was willing to tell the whole world, just to get more money. You heard him!”

“Pepper, I know you don’t want to hear this but you and Evangeline have always been at each other’s throats—and it’s not always her fault—but I’m stuck in the middle all the time.”

“Not her fault? How can you say that to me? I’m not the one who’s kept a big fat secret all these years!
They
did and now
I
have to deal with the shit storm she’s created—again!”

“See? I’m not defending her and you’re blowing up at me. Newsflash, I’m not the enemy here, sis—and it wasn’t just Mom who kept that from you.” I winced at that comment, because I knew it was true. “I’m trying to talk to you like a grown-up,” she said, then Mills got up and walked to the glass door and I felt the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

“A grown-up? You? God, Mills—wait! Did you know about this? Did she tell you this?”

She had her arms crossed and her back was turned towards me. I knew the answer before she said anything. She nodded slowly. “Yes, she told me, but I wasn’t sure she was telling the truth. You know, she says things for shock value—she can’t help herself.”

“Shock value? I’m not shocked—I’m heartbroken. Why didn’t
you
tell me, Mills? Even if you didn’t believe her, you could’ve told me what she’d said.”

Mills spun around on her socked feet. Her eyes were wet with tears. “What should I have said, Pepper? That you aren’t my sister? That Mom says you aren’t her daughter? What? Why am I always in the middle? Why can’t you two get along?” I was sure she hadn’t realized it, but her voice had risen to a yell and for some reason, she was angry at me. Me!
What the fuck?

Somehow, she just wasn’t getting it. She couldn’t see it from my point of view at all. “Why are you defending her—again? Why? I know I would have told you if I’d heard something as important and potentially life-changing as this!”

“You know what I don’t get? Why you’re surprised that we get along better than you and her do. It’s always been you and Dad and you guys keep me out of everything. I was sent to boarding school while you’ve been here, hanging out with Dad, but do you know who came to see me while I was there, every semester? Mom, that’s who! Not you, not Daddy, not Charlotte—
Evangeline
! So I don’t feel guilty for trying to hold on to some love for myself,
sister
.”

“What are you talking about? We came to see you all the time and you came home almost every month. You couldn’t be more wrong, Mills.”

“That’s right, I’m wrong and you’re right. That’s the way it is... always. Fine!” She stomped out of the room and up the staircase without another word. I wanted to scream at her but what good would it do? I fell back on the couch and wondered what I should do next. My heart stung and I just wanted to get away. I went upstairs, changed my clothes, called Gabe and thankfully, he picked up after just two rings.

“Hey, Pepper. I was just thinking about you.” His tone was upbeat and happy, and it felt good to hear him say that, but sad that I had to tell him what had just happened.

“Really? Thanks for saying that. It’s been a rough day so far.”

“Uh oh. That doesn’t sound good. It’s not Jonathan Church, is it?” I guess he’d always dislike that guy, and who could blame him? Church was an asshole for trying to run him off the road. He could have killed him.

“No, I got some shocking news.” I put my hands over my eyes.
Did I want to do this on the phone?

“Talk to me, Pepper. What happened?”

I sighed and slid on my shoes. “Can we meet? Maybe go for a walk or something?”

“Want to take the boat out? No strings attached, of course.”

“Yes, a boat ride would be perfect… and you know what? Strings sound good, by the way.”

“You want me to pick you up?”

I smiled, “No, I’ll drive down to the marina. What time?”

“Let’s say in about an hour.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you there.” Yes, I needed this. I wanted to feel alive and be with Gabe, but first I had to make a phone call so I scrolled through my contacts until I saw her name. I tapped on the screen and waited for her to answer. I knew exactly what I’d say. That she was a lousy mother, that I’d always be Doug Anderson’s daughter, not hers. How dare she warp Mills’ mind like she had! It rang and rang until the voicemail picked up. I didn’t bother to leave her a message. How could I fit all I wanted to say in a voicemail? It was just like her to ignore me—manipulate me.

I decided to change my clothes again and I reached for my new pink panties and bra set—that ought to make an impression on Gabriel Gregory. Finally, I slid on my summer dress, sandals and a touch of pink lipstick. I brushed my hair smooth and spritzed on the perfume. It took another ten minutes to find the perfect purse—I really had too many—but they were my weakness and just when I was about ready to leave for the marina, my phone rang.

Now, I didn’t want to think about her or deal with her—I wanted to think about Gabe.
Oh, well, I’d initiated this conversation. I guess I better finish it.

“Hello,” I said as coldly as I could.

“My kitten, so happy to hear your voice.” Wow, that was a blast from the past. She hadn’t called me ‘kitten’ in years. I guess she knew that I knew since Mills had surely called her by now.

“I’m not so happy to hear your voice, Evie.” Since we were sharing pet names, I had a few for her. I knew she hated that and being called, ‘mother.’

There was silence on the other end of the phone, but only for a few seconds. Naturally, Evangeline couldn’t resist tossing a dig at Dad. “Doug shouldn’t have told you.”

“So I should have waited to read about in a celebrity gossip magazine? Like you wouldn’t have called them yourself? Maybe wait for you to tell me—or Mills? My sister knew this before I did? Really, Evangeline, you are lower than low.” I really wanted to throw my phone out the window, but that wouldn’t help anything, would it?

“I would never have told a magazine. He’s exaggerating as usual and I’d planned on telling you myself but you’re always so angry, Pepper. So very angry. That’s going to lead to wrinkles if you aren’t careful.”

“Who are my parents, Evangeline? I deserve to know the truth, don’t I?”

“I’ve always imagined and thought of you as an orphan baby—a child with no parents—except us.”
What was that in her voice? Concern? Amusement?

“Well, I don’t want to go another day with you in control of my life so if you can tell me anything, I want to hear it—now.”