Page 42 of Finding Forgiveness

I brace myself for her reply because I know it’s not going to be pleasant. “You ungrateful little bitch. Are you shacking up with that predator again?”

“He’s not a predator.”

“Do you forget what he did to you?”

“He did nothing that I didn’t ask for.”

“You were a stupid, impressionable, underage child and he took advantage of you. Wake up to yourself, Cassandra.”

“I was sixteen, Mother. I wasn’t underage.”

“You can keep telling yourself that, but I know better.”

“You know nothing.”

“It’s your word against mine … who do you think people will believe? A reckless, irresponsible little girl, or a top surgeon … the wife of a well-respected politician.”

“You have no proof he did anything wrong because he didn’t.”

“And like I’ve told you in the past, I have my ways. Now you listen here, I will say this once and once only, get your arse back to Melbourne or I’m going to destroy that man, and when I’m finished with him, I’m coming after you. I’m done playing games.”

She ends the call before I get a chance to reply.

Jazzie: Hey, where are you? I’m at your apartment and you’re not here. Did you forget we have work today?

Ugh. In my emotional haze, I forgot it was my turn to drive.

Cassie: I’m sorry. Something came up and I had to leave early.

Jazzie: Are you already at the studio?

Cassie: No.

Jazzie: Where are you?

Cassie: Waiting to see my therapist.

Jazzie: Didn’t you see her yesterday?

Cassie: Yes, but I needed to see her again.

Jazzie: Why? Is everything okay?

I was afraid she’d ask that.

Cassie: My mother called me this morning.

Jazzie: I thought you blocked her number.

Cassie: I did. She called from my father’s phone.

Jazzie: Gah.

Cassie: I know. I wouldn’t have answered if I knew it was her.

Jazzie: What did she want?

Cassie: She wants me to go back to Melbourne.