Angelica snuggles up next to me in her pyjamas. “I’m glad there was a snowstorm.”
I kiss her forehead as I wrap my arm around her, enjoying the closeness. “Me too.” I look out the window, the snow receding. “The roads will be clear tomorrow.”
“I don’t care about the roads. I wish we could stay in this bubble forever.” She clings to me as if I might disappear if she lets go.
I want to reassure her and tell her that nothing is gonna burst our bubble, but in the New Year when her dad comes back, we both have a lot of explaining to do. For now, I’m going to enjoy this moment and for the first time in my life, I might actually enjoy Christmas.
A rustling sound comes from the back door. Angelica lifts her head from my chest. “What’s that?”
I pull her back to me. “It’s probably a fox or a badger. Had them foraging round here before.” My palm slides down her spine, settling her at my side. There’s more noises, but I’m too wrapped up in her to move or care as I scroll through the Christmas movies on Netflix.
A door clicks. Her eyes widen, looking up at me. “Did you leave the door unlocked?”
My gaze floats over her shoulder, and I don’t know whether to pull her closer to me or push her away at the sight of my mate.
Colin.
“What the hell is going on here?” Colin’s voice booms through the open-plan space.
“Dad?” Angelica jumps from my side as if she’s just seen a spider.
I rise from the sofa, wanting to protect her. I’ll take full responsibility, but I won’t apologise for loving her. My chest aches where my heart swells. I’ve always loved her, but now it’s so much more than that.
Colin’s face pales, his fists clenched at his side. His new woman hangs off his arm, looking perplexed. The man’s aged ten years since I saw him last week. “Well?” He looks between the two of us, both lost for words. He steadies himself, placing a hand on the kitchen breakfast bar.
I scratch the back of my neck, thinking of what to say that will lessen the blow, but as his fingers catch the emergency contraception sitting on the work surface and his gaze floats from me to the box, I know there’s no chance of softening the betrayal.
Angelica looks back to me as if for help, her eyes swelling with unshed tears.
“Is this why you lied to me?” He lifts the box from the counter. I can hear his molars grinding from here. “You wanted to come here and shack up with him?” He says the word him like he can’t say my name.
“No. Dad. It’s not what you think.” She steps closer to her dad and away from me.
My heart plummets to my stomach, drowning in a pool of acid. I should have known it was too good to be true. She’s denying us. I’m ready to fight for us. Do whatever it takes, but if this is what she wants to appease her father, then who am I to stand in the way? All I can do is follow her lead.
“Then what are these for? Cos I know they’re not his. And why aren’t you in London?” His voice echoes off the walls.
Lorraine places a hand on his shoulder, as if trying to calm him down. “Let her explain, Colin.”
“Let her explain?” He huffs. “I’ve been worried sick. You answered none of my voicemails or texts. And when I called your flatmate’s mobile number—the one you gave me for emergencies—she told me you were here.”
“Dad, I’m sorry.”
“I’ve driven across the country to get here because you wouldn’t answer your phone. I’ve been at my wits end, thinking something had happened to you, like your mother’s boating accident. And I get here to find you shacked up on the sofa with him.”
“I’m sorry I lied. I never wanted to hurt you.” Her voice wobbles.
I can’t see her face, but I’m guessing she’s close to tears. She doesn’t have to deal with this alone. I’m here.
“If you want to blame anyone, blame me.” I step in front of Angelica, wanting to shield her from her dad’s anger.
“You lying bastard.” My head flies backwards with the stinging blow from his fist, the bridge of my nose burning like a motherfucker.
Angelica’s scream pierces my ears, and I open my eyes.
Colin’s a big bloke, almost as big as me, and he uses that weight to push me up against the wall, his fists gripping me by the shirt as he pins me in place.
Black spots blur my vision, but I hear Angelica cry out, pleading with her dad to let me go.
