Page 107 of My Destiny

“I presume you’ve heard of me, or is that a question I should be asking your whore of a mother?”

“Excuse me?” I say, taking a step towards her. “How dare you.”

“How dare I?” She laughs before taking the final step that separates us and getting up in my face. “You listen here, you little gold digger. I’ll say this once and once only: stay away from my husband.”

“For your information, it was your husband who approached me, not the other way around.”

I can tell my reply catches her off guard. “From what I remember of your mother, Johnathan was one of many, so I wouldn’t bank on him being your father.”

My hands fist by my sides. As far as I know, this woman never met my mother, and if she makes one more remark about her or her character, it’s going to be a struggle not to react. “It takes more than just sperm to make someone a parent, so it’s safe to say biological or not, he’s not deserving of the title of father.”

“Well, I never,” she gasps, placing her hand on her chest. “But then again, I wouldn’t expect anything better from you. You’re trash, just like I knew you would be. It won’t take my nephew long to figure that out. They never last long with him anyway.”

“And I can see why your husband looked for love outside his marriage. You’re just as cold and vindictive as I was led to believe.”

I don’t even see her hand rise until it connects with the side of my face.

“Oh, my goodness,” Jill says, hastily appearing at my side. “Are you okay, dear?”

I nod because I’m still shocked that she hit me.

Jill gently moves me to the side of her. “Leave,” she screams at Kathleen, pointing towards the lift.

“I don’t take orders from the help.”

“You’ll do as I say, or I’ll be forced to remove you.”

Logan’s aunt squares her shoulders before turning on her heels and storming across the foyer.

I’ve never seen this side of Jill before. She and I stand there in silence until Kathleen is safely inside the lift. Needing the last word, she turns to face us once more. “You’ve been warned,” she barks, pointing her finger at me. “Stay away from Johnathan or you’ll be sorry.”

I don’t even justify her threat with a reply. I have no intention of having a relationship with that man anyway.

The moment the doors close, Jill gathers me in her arms. I can feel her body trembling as she holds me. “Let me look at you,” she says, drawing back. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I reply as tears cloud my eyes. They are not tears of sadness though; they’re tears of anger and frustration.

“You’re not fine, you poor girl. Come, let me put some ice on your cheek.” She wraps her arm around me and steers me towards the kitchen. “And don’t listen to a word she said. She’s a nasty piece of work that one.”

CHAPTER FORTY

Logan

I’m consumed with rage as I sit on the side of the bed, looking down at Brooke as she sleeps. Poor thing.I could throttle my aunt.I’m racked with guilt for leaving her now. She has the television on but with no sound. Was she afraid to sleep alone in the dark? The light is enough to illuminate her pretty face, and her long brown hair fanned out on the pillow. A smile tugs at my lips when I see one of my t-shirts curled up into a ball and positioned near her face. She must’ve been missing me as much as I was missing her.

I’m grateful Jill called me and told me what happened. I got back here as quickly as I could. I could’ve caught the red eye, but instead I chose to charter a flight. It got me back a few hours earlier. I still had some loose ends that I intended to tidy up in Melbourne tomorrow morning, but they’ll have to wait. My first priority was and always will be Brooke. My aunt, however, will be feeling my full wrath as the result of her actions in the morning. Not only did she put Brooke through more unnecessary drama, she’s probably managed to widen the rift between her and her father.

I spy a few scrunched-up tissues on the bedside table, so I know she’s been crying. That thought breaks my heart further. Reaching out, I gently run my fingers down the side of her face. I should never have left her; it was far too soon. I stand and strip down to my boxer briefs before climbing in beside her. Sliding my arm under the crook of her neck, I drape the other around her waist to pull her close.

“Hey,” she says in a sleepy voice, as her eyes flutter open. “You’re home.”

I give her my best smile, trying to mask how I truly feel. “Jill called and told me what happened, so I chartered a flight. Are you okay?”

“I am now that you’re back.”

Leaning forward, I brush my lips against hers. “I’m sorry about what happened. I’ll make sure she never comes near you again.”

She snuggles her body in closer to mine. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”