Page 94 of The Devastation You Reap

“What did he do to you?” she asks, her brows pinching.

“He never laid a hand on me, if that’s what you mean. It’s what he allowed to happen. What he turned a blind eye to and brushed under the carpet.”

Her eyes widen as she hears my unspoken words.

“I see.” She falls silent as a nurse knocks on the door and does a couple of checks before taking away the leftovers from Libby’s dinner.

It’s not until we’re alone once more that she speaks again.

“Why are you really here, Leon? I’m sure it’s not to swap stories about how your father has wronged us both.”

I can’t help but laugh despite the situation being anything but amusing. “No, that’s certainly not why I’m here, although I have no doubt that we understand each other in ways others can’t.” She nods, telling me what I already know. “But I wanted you to hear from me, that he’s not going to get away with it anymore.”

“What have you done?”

“Nothing I can give you details about. But I wanted you to know that when you get out of here, you’re not going to bump into him. He’s not going to turn up wanting to see your son or demanding anything of you.”

“That’s good to know.”

“I’m also going to ensure you get everything you deserve after what he put you and your family through.”

“I appreciate that, Leon. But I don’t want anything from him. I could never regret having Kayden despite what a shitty mother I’ve been. But he is certainly all I ever want from that cunt.”

“I understand that. Trust me, I do. And if you don’t want it, then I won’t force it on you. But know that it will be sitting somewhere safe for Kayden’s future. Prep school, college, travelling, anything he could want, he’ll be able to have it.”

Tears fill Libby’s eyes and she quickly lifts her hand to swipe away the one that falls.

“That little boy deserves so much more than I can give him.”

“You’re wrong, Libby,” I say, walking around the bed and lowering down in front of her. Hesitantly, I reach for her hand and squeeze it in support. “All he needs is love. From you, Peyton, your aunt Fee. His brothers. He’s got a huge family around him who only wants the best for him. He’s one lucky little boy. None of us will allow him to be treated as we’ve been in the past. He’s got the world at his feet. He’s the luckiest boy in the world.”

“Oh God,” she sobs, lifting her free hand to dry her cheeks once more.

“I’m sorry. I just… I thought you might need to hear it.”

She nods, sniffling as her tears continue to fall.

“Thank you,” she finally says.

“Anything you need, Libby. We’re here for both of you… For all of you.”

She nods, starting to get herself together.

And that’s exactly how Peyton finds us, with me on my knees and Libby with tears streaked down her face.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Shit,” I breathe, releasing Libby and jumping to my feet.

“Nothing. We were just having a heart to heart.”

“So I see. Is there something I need to know?” Peyton looks between the two of us, her brow wrinkled with confusion.

“No,” we both say in unison, sounding guilty as fuck I’m sure.

With a small smile and nod at Libby, I move across the room until I’m in front of Peyton.

“There’s nothing you need to worry about, we were just… Airing some grievances, shall we say.”