He leaves the room, his phone in hand.
I turn and find Elijah staring at his mother on the screen.
“You don’t seem surprised, Mum,” he says, his voice devoid of all emotion.
She shakes her head sadly. “No.”
“How long have you known?”
“I had my suspicions from the beginning. They were confirmed when you found out.”
“And you didn’t think to say anything?”
“What was the point? Lottie is your daughter, my granddaughter. I’ve never cared about biology. She is ours, always has been and always will be.”
Elijah’s face hardens. “You don’t think me knowing would have helped?”
“No, you would have felt you needed to leave Darra if I’d said anything. Your pride would have kicked in, and Darra would have taken Lottie. That was not a risk your father or I would take.”
My eyes well at Franny’s words, knowing she means every syllable. She practically adopted me as a daughter. Invited me into her family. She tried the same with Darra, although she never appreciated what she was being offered. I wonder now whether it was guilt, knowing that Lottie wasn’t theirs, that kept Darra from accepting their love.
I turn to find Kat staring at the floor, not saying a word. She looks up as if sensing my gaze. Her eyes are filled with the level of pain I’ve only ever seen when her father died.
I shake my head, but her eyes tell me I’m wrong. It becomes crystal clear where her dislike for Jaxson stems.
Does she think it’s him?
Surely she can’t believe that about him?
No way.
Out of everyone, Jaxson would never have done that to Elijah. He would have cut off his right arm for his friend. He certainly wouldn’t have slept with his girlfriend. He didn’t even like Darra. And he definitely wouldn’t have let her trap Elijah into marriage if he knew.
Jax was as horrified as I was when Elijah proposed. My mind and body rebel against the thought.
But then, was it all a ruse? Do you ever really know anyone?
CHAPTER 57
ELIJAH
The police arrive and take my statement. They ask how long she’s been missing.
Fuck!
I admit I haven’t seen her for over twenty-four hours, thinking my fifteen-year-old was staying with her best friend, who I didn’t realise was actually holidaying in Mexico. Talk about a bad father! I didn’t even know where my daughter was. Hadn’t thought to check.
Has she ever done anything like this before?
How was she after your divorce?
Are you in a new relationship?
How does your daughter feel about Ms Dawson?
Do you have any idea where she might be?
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
