Page 72 of Jain

“Hey, sorry, can I call you back?”

“Fuck no, I’ve not spoken to you in too long. Can we catch up next week? I’m in your neck of the woods.”

I agreed, anything to get off the phone. I got out of the car, my body fuelled by anger.

Had she known what she was doing?

I knocked on the door, and I saw Jain’s mother peer through the window at me in surprise. The lock slid open, and she glared at me, hostility evident in her eyes.

“Finally. It took you long enough. You better come in.”

She walked away, and I followed her into Jain’s childhood home.

“I’m not offering you a drink.” Ms Martin snapped, still glaring at me.

“I’m not staying. I’ve just come to say something.”

She blinked, scoffing in disbelief. “You have, have you? Well, allow me to go first. You had sex with my daughter while you were her teacher! That’s a disgrace! You could be sent to prison for that, yet you still work with vulnerable little girls—”

I held my hand up, stopping her in her tracks.

“First of all, it wasn’t just sex. Second, she was almost nineteen and not at all vulnerable. Third, did she tell you we were in love? You know, before you made her leave me?” I snapped as she rolled her eyes.

“Love? It’s nothing to do with love, Mr Silver!” Ms Martin’s eyes flashed as she pointed a pink painted talon at me before she continued. “It’s to do with sex! Don’t you make out you were in love with her!”

“I still am, actually,” I retorted, her eyes searching my face as she swallowed.

“Well, your ship has sailed. Jain’s happy with Julian.”

“Is she? You’re her mother. You want what is best for her, don’t you?”

“Howdareyou imply thatyouare what is best for her!” she cried, jumping to her feet. “Just because you are handsome and clever, it doesn’t mean you get what you want. Oh no!”

“I’ll tell you this. I hope you’re right. Because when Jain says her vows to that man, know that if it weren’t for you, that man would beme,” I said, standing up. “What matters most to me is her happiness. I thought it would be worth letting you know that whatever she says, she isn’t happy.”

“Get out.”

I nodded, turning and walking towards the door as my heart sank.

I’d done what I had come to do, and I couldn’t expect anything other than that reaction.

She was right. It was immoral. But it didn’t feel wrong, and I still wanted to be with Jain now. I couldn’t do more than I had, though, or Ms Martin would be able to get me done for harassment.

I drove home, stopping off at the shop to pick up some wine.

God knows I needed it.

“Sir?”

I turned to see a face I didn’t recognise, as my frown must’ve given away.

“I’m Sarah, a friend of Jain’s,” she explained as I nodded with realisation.

“The hair. It’s very—” I pointed at my hair as Sarah laughed.

“Red. Yeah.”

I nodded before looking back at the wine.