“No. Gosh, Dad. He actually had something on. I told you—he volunteers to fill in as the soccer coach from time to time.”
My dad looks at me, unconvinced, his fatherly intuition quick to recognise when I’m not being entirely honest. I’ve had my suspicions about what Adrian has really been up to for a while now, but I refuse to let it get to me. I’ve spoken to a couple of the mums from the team he coaches, the same one Zac used to play for back in Sandy Vale, and they’ve confirmed that Adrian has only filled in twice. The rest of the time, no one knows where he’s been.
“Should’ve given him hell during the divorce. He doesn’t deserve the life his living right now.”
“As much as I really wanted to, he’s still my child’s father. Any spiteful thing I do to him would only end up affecting Zac in some way. All I can do is just keep moving forward. Thebest kind of revenge is showing him just how much better off we are without him.”
My dad hums, still unconvinced, and I can tell he’s just itching to say more. But I don’t want to think about it anymore. I’m done feeling sad over him.
“Now go—my kid can turn into a real grouch if you make him wait any longer.”
He finally lets it go, but I have a feeling this conversation isn’t over.
I walk him to the door, and we say our goodbyes, reminding Zac to behave and not growl at people again—a habit he seems to fall into whenever he’s bored and needs to entertain himself.
Once they’re on the road and the car has disappeared down the street, I close the door behind me and gather my phone and bag.
After that unexpected conversation with my dad, and the oppressively heavy mood it left behind after talking about Adrian’s new life, I decide to do the one thing that never fails to lift my spirits: go plant shopping.
Chapter 20
Hope
I spot a quaint little flower boutique tucked between a jewellery shop and a donut stand at the farmer’s market and decide to wander over for a closer look. The stall is brimming with lush greenery and bright bursts of colour, and the air smells faintly of damp soil and florals, instantly soothing my senses.
The moment my eyes settle on the shelf of indoor plants, I know immediately I won’t be leaving this place empty-handed. I linger, letting my gaze wander over each display, until it finally rests on the golden-yellow peace lilies and the glossy, raven ZZ plants.
I pause for a moment, quietly weighing which one I’ll bring home to join my growing collection. Ever since moving back into the house, I’ve felt an almost compulsive urge to fill every corner with fresh greenery, as if each plant could breathe new life, and calm, into the space. I’m determined to erase every trace of the stale energy that had once hung over the houselike a lingering ghost, and with Adrian gone, I no longer feel any reason to hold myself back.
“Would you like some help, ma’am?” the shop assistant calls from behind me.
I turn my gaze towards an older woman with a warm, smiling face, then back to the two plants, still trying to decide which one to buy.
“I think I need a few more minutes, if that’s okay?” I reply.
“No worries, darling. Let me know when you’re ready.”
I nod, then lower myself to pick up the peace lilies for a closer look. Just as I do, my phone starts ringing, its sound slightly muffled inside my bag. I fumble for it, carefully pulling it free, and immediately see that it’s my ex-husband calling.
“Adrian?”
“Hey, I’m sorry to have to do this again, but I won’t be able to see Zac next weekend.”
“What?! Why?”
“I’m flying up to Brisbane for a friend’s engagement. He asked me to be his best man.”
“What friend in Brisbane? You don’t know anyone from there.”
“It’s Tom. You know—my colleague from the first school I ever taught at? He moved up there last year.”
“You’ve never mentioned anyone by the name of Tom.”
“Oh my god! I’ve told you about him a few times. You just never paid attention.”
“Adrian, I think I’d remember a close colleague, especially one close enough to you to make you the best man at his wedding.”
“Look, I don’t want to argue, okay. I’m just giving you a heads up that I can’t come down next weekend.”
