Chapter 33: CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

KIM's POV

I was still reeling from shock at yesterday's events. Too many things happened in the space of three hours. The major highlight of the evening wasn't seeing Craig's parents. I had schooled myself to accept anything from those people. What left me in shock for the rest of the day was how my husband had come to my defense against his own mother. He stood up for me with regard to the way our relationship was standing currently.

I'd almost been moved to tears by that singular act of kindness. In his eyes, I didn't deserve any love and yet he stood up to his mother with absolutely no hesitation.

Craig was a stubborn man, and he would die before he admitted that love had softened him. His display from yesterday gave me a little hope and made me delusional. Just maybe he'll come around, just maybe every emotion I felt at the honeymoon he will evoke in me again.

I had received an invitation from the "City Woman Paris." I'd gotten nominated for the award category.

"Mom of the year". I had no idea how I got to be so popular or why people thought I deserved such an award, but today was the award prelim meeting and I was getting ready to attend the meeting.

Making a mad dash to the nursery to check in on Jason had become a culture for me and I needed to get in one quickly. I was almost there when I saw someone at the door, either reluctant to enter or just wanting to watch from afar. Closer scrutiny revealed it was Craig and that he was standing quite enchanted but very unwilling to be seen by Jason.

I hid out at a good distance and watched the dynamics for about ten minutes before finally approaching him. I honestly wanted to know why he was there but refusing to be seen.

"Craig?" Oh, how he jumped like he had been caught in an act. That didn't last long though because his composure was back like lightning before I got the opportunity to ask him anything else.

"How are you, Kim?" This was probably the first time he directed any words to me since we got back.

One thing that also stood out was how he reeked of alcohol. He was either drunk or hungover. There was a glazed look in his eyes and in that moment, I realized that Craig was slowly morphing into someone I didn't recognize.

"You don't wanna go inside?" I asked calmly.

"No I don't," he replied in clipped tones and started to walk away. I really wanted to talk so I grasped at the opportunity.

"Do you have a minute, I have a couple of things to say?" I started.

"No, I don't. I need to get somewhere," he answered without giving me a second look, and with that he was gone.

I just stood there dejected wondering yet again what I did to deserve how he was treating me. Since the incident, I haven't had a chance to properly defend myself.

He wasn't doing himself any favors. Falling back on drinking? That was only going to ruin him. All he needed to do was give me a chance to console him. Instead, he chose the difficult route letting his mind ruin him, allowing people who don't mean anything to decide how he reacted to someone he loved. I knew it, exactly how I knew I was going to take my next breath that he was fighting demons.

Jason was sleeping by the time I finally got a chance to see him. I spent a couple of minutes with Camilla asking how the homeschool teacher was doing and how Jason was doing in general. Camila had every base covered so I hurried to get ready.

"These award categories have been fully contested but you are the ones that the city wants. I'm proud of every single one that made it to the nominations. This is a rehearsal party and we want to let everyone know that we are all winners. Getting nominated for a great award as this one is an epic lifetime achievement..." The host for the event was going on and on while I kept trying to figure out why anyone would nominate me for an award in the heat of the backlash I was facing from the media.

I honestly didn't want to think anything of it. I needed to speak to Jane, oh Rhona too. She had made me promise to tell her about anything that bothered me. I wanted to talk to her especially about Craig more than the award.

When the event ended, my driver was already waiting for me so I was hurrying to the car lot when I got intercepted by a lovely-looking young woman who was probably one of the nominees.

"Hello, Mrs Lionel. You may not know but I really admire you."

I was first taken aback. Hearing that someone admired me at that point was quite hard to believe so I slowed down to get the the rest of the gist.

"Yeah hello," I started tentatively.

"When you got nominated for mom of the year, I went 'well deserved.' I've seen the spotlight on you in the media and know your backstory. I just really know that you're a great person and you deserve all the best things," she finished.

I took a second to scan her appearance, petite, not above twenty-two, and quite rich.

"Thank you so much. I appreciate the kind words, what's your name again?"

"I'm Jupiter."

"Jupiter, you made my day. Have a great day." I smiled at her one more time and was finally on my way.

She had said something about knowing my back story. It was finally making sense why anyone would nominate me. They probably knew the full story and either somehow identified with it or just loved me regardless.

My day was genuinely made.

Rhona was in the sitting room when I got back. Once she saw me, her lovely petite face lit up.

"Kim!" She was really such an animated dramatic fun person.

I mourned the situations that we met in. We would have been friends for years by now.

"Hey, what have you been up to ?" I asked, matching her energy. Jane would definitely be jealous if she saw the way I spoke to Rhona.

I did a small evil laughter in my head. I was such a mean friend.

"I saw you in the news," she enthused, "heard you're about to be Paris's best mom of the year. I'm utterly proud of you. I'm going to say to everyone I meet 'Oh that's my sister in law'."

She sounded so proud and happy. Rhona had an infectious personality. If she was happy, smiling, and proud then you're definitely going to be happy smiling and proud too.

"Thank you. I hope I get the award too. If for nothing but to make you a proud sister-in-law." I chucked, sat down, and settled in to watch TV with her for a while.

"How are you and Craig doing?" she asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

I had forgotten about the decor guys. They were supposed to put in the finishing touches today. I wasn't available at the time they were slated to come so I had asked Rhona to oversee them. They all had done a really great job. It was everything I envisioned, a textbook example of a minimalist house.

Her question was hanging in the air and I was trying to figure out the best way to answer.

"If I'm being honest, I don't even know how things are, but something I do know is that he is being intentionally difficult. Somehow, I know he wants to speak to me but instead, he fights that desire." I just wanted to talk to someone who understood him.

"This morning before my meeting, I saw him at the entrance of Jason's room. He looked so enchanted just there staring at his son but he wouldn't go in. I think he started drinking again and somehow he's scared to let his son see him like that. My heart ached so much for him today but I honestly don't how to help me except he let me," I finished.

"Oh dear, that's how Craig is, stubborn like a mule sometimes. I know this is not the best time for him but I don't know the extent of the damage done. I think the whole situation may also be affecting his work life."

"Work life? How do you mean?" No, this shit was no longer funny.

"Yes, you know he works in fashion and entertainment so he's constantly in the media. The chances that they talking shit about him because of you are quite high. I honestly feel you should go easy on him. He'll eventually come around, I promise you. Also, give yourself some grace. You're such a great person and a great mom. Don't let anyone put you down, ok?"

Rhona was so good for me, but she just put a lot of thoughts in my head.

Craig was facing an attack at work?