Page 100 of In The Dark

“You’ve got to be joking.”

“Callum,” Amelia started, but he cut her off.

“No. No, you can’t—” He scoffed. “You’re actually doing this? I was taking the piss when I asked last week, but…you’re sleeping withher? With…that!”

With…that?

Fury rose from deep within Amelia. “Don’t you fucking dare come into my home and speak like that!” She rushed in front of him, blocking his view of Jo, and jabbed a finger against his shoulder. “I don’t know when you changed, or why, but I’m not putting up with it.”

“S-she’s my ex!”

“I’m aware.”

“And you…you’re mymother!”

“Yes, Callum,” Amelia snapped. “I’m aware of that, too.”

He stared at her like she’d grown another head, and for a brief moment, Amelia almost pitied him.Almost. But that pity evaporated when he turned on Jo again.

“How long?”

Jo swallowed. “It doesn’t matter. You and I are over.”

“Of course it matters!” he barked. “Were you fucking her when we were together?”

“No. Sadly, I wasn’t.”

“Callum, enough!” Amelia cut in. “You don’t get to come in here and interrogate her. You don’t get todemandanswers about something that is none of your fucking business.”

“None of my business? You’ve lost it, Mum. You’ve absolutely?—”

“Stop.” Amelia’s voice rose above his, sharp enough to silence him. “I’m not doing this with you again. You won’t use me as a scapegoat for your guilt. You lied. You cheated. You broke her heart. And now you’re angry because I’m the one helping her heal.”

“That’s not?—”

“It is.” Amelia cut him off again. “You’re angry because I’m doing what you couldn’t. I’m loving her the way she always should have been loved.”

Callum’s mouth fell open. “Y-you don’t even hear how fucked up that sounds, do you?”

“Oh, I hear it just fine,” Amelia said, lifting her chin. “But I also know it’s the truth.”

Callum shook his head. “You’re unbelievable. Both of you.”

Amelia followed him into the hall, her pulse pounding through her fingertips. “Don’t come here uninvited again. I don’t want to see you.”

“Mum—”

“Don’t.” She pointed to the door. “Leave.”

For once, he didn’t argue. Instead, he turned, muttering something under his breath as he stormed out.

When Amelia turned back to the kitchen, Jo was standing there, her eyes wide, and her coffee cup trembling in her hand.

“You okay?” Jo asked as she took a deep breath.

Amelia swallowed down the ache in her throat. “I think so.”

Jo stepped closer and slipped an arm around Amelia’s waist, resting her head against her shoulder. “I’m sorry he caused a scene.”