Busted!
Oliver darted back inside in a flash.
Good luck, Mom. You’re on your own now.
Madeline forced a smile, biting down on her lip as she faced Julian. “How did you figure it out?”
Julian let out a short laugh. “You really think you can hide something like this from me?”
Seriously?
He saw right through her. When did he get to know her so well?
“Are you going to walk out, or should I carry you out myself?” Julian’s eyes were cold and his voice was even colder.
It felt icy, the tension thick enough to choke on.
Madeline clenched her jaw, feeling completely exposed under Julian’s stare. There was no way she could get Oliver out of here now that Julian had caught them.
Just as Madeline was desperately searching for any way out, her phone buzzed in her hand.
It was a message from Oliver.
Oliver: Mom, just go. Don’t worry about me.
Oliver: I’ll be fine. Really.
Madeline turned off her phone and stood there for a second, debating what to do. Finally, she looked up at Julian, feeling as deflated as a popped balloon. “I’ll go by myself.”
She turned and started walking out, slow and heavy-footed. After a few steps, she couldn’t help but look over her shoulder. Of course, Julian was still watching her.
Madeline quickly looked away, cheeks burning with embarrassment, and forced herself to keep going.
Julian watched her leave, then turned and headed straight for Oliver’s room.
Oliver was still at the window, watching Madeline’s figure disappear down the street. Suddenly, the door swung open. Julian grabbed him by the back of the collar, lifting him like a kitten, and dropped him onto a chair. Then Julian sat down right across from him, face unreadable.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Twin Cupids at Work: Daddy, Come Home!