Page 18 of Finding Forgiveness

God, I love this girl.

My mother’s fake smile instantly turns into a scowl. “It’s Doctor Lewis and I prefer it if you left,” she barks.

“No,” Jacinta retorts.

“What is it with you Maloneys? First I get attitude from that rude and disrespectful brother of yours, now you. No wonder my daughter is so messed up.”

Connor was rude to her? My stomach churns at the thought of them going head-to-head. What did she say to him?

“What can I do for you, Mother?”

“Are you sure you want to do this with an audience?”

I arch a brow, suddenly feeling a lot braver with my bestie by my side. “Do you?”

She has a lot more to be worried about than I do. I’m not the villain in this scenario.

There’s so much she could say, but I doubt she will. Not in front of Jacinta. I’m not the bad guy here, and my mother knows it. She’s the one who will rot in hell for what she’s done.

That stern bitchy look she’s famous for is now present on her face. Her narrowed eyes move to Jacinta, then back to me. Her face slightly reddens when neither of us reacts.

She raises her hand and points her finger in my direction. “We will be having this conversation one way or another. Actually,” my mother says, pausing to look down at her watch, “now that you’re awake, you no longer need to be here. I’m going to talk to your doctor and get your discharge papers drawn up. I’m taking you home.”

Shit.My heart drops as soon as those words are out of her mouth. I know exactly what she’s doing. She’s controlling the narrative … it’s what she does. She always gets what she wants and will stoop to any level to see that happen. The last thing I want is to go back to that house with her, but she’ll wreak havoc if I don’t.

When she turns and leaves, my wide eyes move to Jacinta.

“Do you want to go back there?” she asks.

“Of course not, but I don’t have a choice.”

“Yes you do, you’re an adult. She can’t control you.”

Hah. She’s been controlling me all my life. “You don’t understand, Jazzie.”

“Enlighten me then.”

Ugh. I feel like I’m being backed into a corner. “I’m scared of what she’ll do if I don’t do as she says.”

“What’s the worst that can happen? She’ll cut you off? You don’t need to worry about that, Connor and I will look after you until you find your feet.”

I’ve always made a big deal about the allowance my parents gave me, but it was purely a smoke screen. What my best friend doesn’t realise is it runs far deeper than money. “This has nothing to do with them funding my lifestyle.”

“Then what? You look petrified right now.” I fist the bedsheet in my free hand to hide the tremble. “What are you not telling me, Cass?”

I didn’t want to go here, but I know it will come back to bite me on the arse if I don’t. I can tell she isn’t going to let this go. “If I don’t do what she wants, she’s going to go after Connor, Jaz.”

“Connor?”

“Yes.”

“For what … and why?” she asks, frowning.

I bow my head. “It’s a long story, but trust me when I say she’ll stop at nothing to get her way.”

The room falls silent, but I can feel Jacinta’s eyes on me as she tries to make sense of what I’m saying. “Is your mum the reason you broke up with Connor all those years ago?”

I nod my head because that’s as much as I’m willing to give her right now.