Departure from the Caruso's

She turned to Bailey, who was eyeing her mother with a frown. “Bailey?”

Her niece looked at her with a troubled look on her face. 

She held out her arms. “Hug?”

Bailey scooted toward her and wrapped her arms around her neck. “You’re leaving?” 

Her astute niece was going to make her lose her shit. Her eyes filled with tears. “Yes.”

“You don’t have to leave,” Ariana interjected. “It’s him I don’t trust. We’ll keep the kids away from him, so there won’t be any accidents.”

She had been hurt many times in her life, but this hit differently. Ariana’s derision wasn’t aimed at her, but somehow it hurt even more because it was aimed at him and this time, he didn’t deserve it. Even though she recognized that her sister had every right to feel the way she did, every fiber of her being vehemently rejected her sentiments. The fact that Ariana thought she would put the kids at risk made her sick. Roth had a cruel streak, but that didn’t extend to children. His actions tonight—the way he backed away from Kye in the foyer and his stiffness when Bailey sat between them, showed he was very aware of how fragile they were and was terrified he would inadvertently harm them. And the way he watched the children that freaked Ariana out so badly was how Roth analyzed everything—intently. 

Roth wasn’t normal, but the difference between him and everyone else was he didn’t try to act like he was. He was authentically, strangely himself and people like her sisters, who were used to acting, didn’t know how to handle him.  Even though there was a high possibility they could have given him the cold shoulder, he chose to attend their family dinner. He took their skepticism and scorn and anything else without trying to defend himself. The fact that he had been eager to experience Thanksgiving and maybe being part of a family made her heart ache because Ariana saw only what she wanted to and none of it was good. 

Ariana’s rejection of Roth was a rejection of her as well. He was her husband, an extension of her and the reason he was in their midst. And Ariana made it clear that she didn’t trust her judgment where he was concerned. That knowledge ate away at her. If only her sister knew what she had sacrificed to save her and Colette’s pride.

She set Bailey away from her and didn’t look at her sisters as she straightened. Just when she began to hope they were making progress, they went back to square one. They had no clue what hell Roth could unleash if he wanted to. They didn’t hesitate to toss stones his way, arrogantly assuming they had been clever enough to conceal their sins. She struggled to take a full breath as she tried to contain her outrage, indignation, and the familiar ostracism. She felt as if they were back at the funeral with them on one side and her on the other. Once again, she and Roth were cast out into the cold. So be it. Without another word, she turned and walked out the door. 

“Jasmine, wait!”

She ignored Colette’s call and strolled down the hallway and swiped at her eyes before she entered the grand living room. Roth took one look at her and rose, gaining Rami and Lyle’s attention.

“We’re leaving,” she said. 

Roth’s eyes flicked over her shoulder before he started toward her. 

“What happened?” Lyle demanded as he got to his feet. 

“Nothing.” She went on tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you for having us tonight.”

“But—“

She turned to Rami and gave him an over bright smile and a fierce hug. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

She reached back and felt a little steadier when Roth’s hand closed around hers. Colette and Ariana stood side by side in front of the hallway. Colette’s fingers were intertwined, but Ariana’s were balled into fists at her sides. 

 She didn’t meet their eyes as she said, “Happy Thanksgiving.” 

Colette reached for her, but stopped before she made contact. The housekeeper appeared out of nowhere with their coats. She didn’t stop to put hers on as she strode to the foyer. Before they turned the corner, she heard Lyle snap, “What the hell happened?”

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Confessions. Please do not share or distribute.