Page 105

“I guess the best man won, eh? Well, I hope you’ll both be very happy.” Jayden looks almost noble. I think he truly believes he’s stepping back and letting Mitch have me.

Heat blows through me as if I’m standing by a furnace. I should be ecstatic at how it’s working out. Jayden’s out of my life. Mitch can be mine, and Jayden won’t fight it.

But his words ring through my head, I should never have married you, and oh God, I think I’m going to be sick.

I turn, walk to the door, go through it, and start running down the street.

The sunlight is blinding. I still don’t know what time it is. Most of the shops are closed, and traffic is light. I turn down one street, then another, because I’m sure Mitch will try to follow me, and I need some time alone.

I continue heading east, not knowing where I’m going, and eventually slow as I run out of breath. But I keep walking, until the houses begin to thin, and I’m heading out of town.

I’m on the road to 35 South. I barely register it, walking fast, my vision blurred. I brush a hand over my face and discover it wet with tears. I didn’t even realise I was crying.

I can’t think straight. Thoughts whirl around my head. Jayden having an affair. Admitting he shouldn’t have married me. Telling me I was the perfect wife, his words sounding as bitter as if he’d squeezed a lemon all over them.

A pillar of the community, just like your mum…

I think about her for the first time, and my chest tightens. He’s right, in a way. She was warm, beautiful, funny, and caring. Everyone loved her. She was the heart of Port Evermore in so many ways. I’ve tried so hard to follow in her shoes, because I thought that was what you did. You emulated your parents, and my mum could do no wrong in my eyes.

We all try to be the best possible versions of ourselves. Ollie’s words, but he’s right. Or he was in my case, anyway.

And now, having that thrown back in my face leaves me puzzled, my head spinning. What did I do wrong? I supported Jayden, looked after him, and tried to nurse him back to health. But I suppose his pride got in the way. Maybe he felt emasculated, or being looked after made him feel weak. Either way, he turned to another woman for comfort.

My stomach burns with acid. I wish I could vomit and get rid of it, but I can’t just throw up on the side of the road. I keep walking, still not knowing where I’m going, just needing to get away.

On my right, a grass-covered verge slopes down to golden sand. Beyond that, the Pacific Ocean glimmers cerulean in the morning sun. In the distance, I can see the headland on which sits the town of Russell, and beyond that Paihia and Waitangi. The flag post above the Treaty House is just visible on the cliff.

To my left, open fields dotted with sheep give way to shallow slopes filled with vines. This is prime grape-growing terroir, and the occasional roads lead to vineyards offering cellar doors and restaurants.

I shouldn’t have come out without a hat or my phone. It’s only early summer, but the sun is super strong Down Under, and it’s already hot on my cheeks. How far have I come? The road ahead bends around a copse of trees, and as I round them, I can see the 35 South complex in the distance, surrounded by its high fence. It’s a retreat for immensely wealthy, famous people, and they take security very seriously, so I won’t be allowed beyond the gates.

At that moment, I hear a car behind me, and I glance over my shoulder as it slows and draws up beside me. It’s a new Range Rover, gleaming black. The passenger window lowers, and I dip my head to look in and realise it’s Gabriel Frost.

“Vix,” he says in surprise. “What are you doing out here?”

“I went for a walk and ended up here. Not sure why.” I give a weak smile.

“I was just up at Pūkeko Vineyard,” he says. “Sorting out a shipment.” He studies my face and gives a soft smile. “Do you want to come up to 35 South and check out the site for the bookshop?”

My eyebrows lift in surprise. “Oh, I’m sure you’re very busy…”

“Not at all. Get in.”

I hesitate, then think, what the hell. I don’t want to go back home yet.

So I open the door, slide into the cool interior of the Range Rover, and close the door with a thunk. I buckle myself in, and Gabriel pulls away.

“Beautiful morning for a walk,” he says. He glances at me. “Is everything okay?”

I’m guessing he can tell I’ve been crying. “Not really,” I say. “Is it okay if we don’t talk about it?”

“Of course.” He doesn’t say anything else until we reach the security gates. He slows and the guy sitting in the guard’s office waves to him and lifts the barrier. Gabriel drives through and heads for the main building.

“Have you ever been up here?” he asks, driving slowly along the winding road.

“No. Wow, it’s beautiful.”

To my right, a large complex of villas joined by a network of lanes sprawls all the way down to the sea. The villas are interspersed with swimming pools, cafés, and shops, and it looks like a small village. The pōhutukawa trees that give the island its Māori name are dotted throughout, resplendent with their scarlet Christmas flowers.