Page 109 of The Stranger

“I can’t be held responsible for your stupidity, and your sister is more woman than you’ll ever be. You could learn a thing or two from her.”

“Like how to be a pathetic loser?”

“You are a despicable human being, Abigail St. James. You should be ashamed of how poorly you have treated your sister.” My eyes move from her to Kayne and then to Delilah’s parents. “You all should be ashamed.” Her father’s scowl deepens, but her mother bows her head.

As soon as those words are out of my mouth, Delilah takes a step forward and straightens her spine, and I know my feisty little spitfire is about to come out to play.

“If I were you, Kayne, I’d be getting a paternity test done when the baby is born. Abigail told me tonight she’s pretty sure it’s not yours.”

With that, all hell breaks loose.

The first thing I hear after another round of gasps isMrs St. James’s high-pitched screech. “Abigail, you’re pregnant?”

The wail that Abigail lets out resembles the cry of a woman possessed. “You fucking cunt, I trusted you with that information,” she roars, heading straight for Delilah.

I quickly lunge forward and manoeuvre her to safety behind me. She’ll need to go through me first.

Her mother simultaneously steps in, wrapping her arms around Abigail from behind, stopping her advance. “Leave your sister alone,” she warns. “You have hurt her enough.”

Her words almost bowl me over. It’s a little late, but for once I’m grateful she appears to have Delilah’s back.

I turn, bundling Delilah into my side again as we make our way towards the exit. Before we reach the door, I hear Kayne bellow, “You have an Only Fans page, you fucking whore!”

There’s no hiding my smile. That will teach her to go in all gung-ho and not take the time to sift through the evidence before presenting it.

Such an amateur move.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” I ask, reaching across the centre console to take her hand in mine. She’s been quiet the entire drive, and I’m concerned.

“I feel awful for what I said. I shouldn’t have brought myself down to her level. It’s not who I am.”

“That woman would bring out the worst in anyone, Delilah. She’s the devil reincarnated.”

“Hah, funny that. Some of my friends growing up used to refer to her as the She-Devil.”

“They weren’t wrong.”

“I still hate myself for it.”

“Delilah, she forced your hand. I’m proud of you for sticking up for yourself.”

“I ruined everybody’s night.”

“Those imbeciles ruined their own party. Not you. Stop beating yourself up.”

“I shouldn’t have given her the file.”

“You did the right thing. Those two were a ticking time bomb … they never should have gotten together. It was only a matter of time before that relationship imploded.”

A ding from her phone interrupts our conversation. Her hands shake slightly as she unclasps her purse to retrieve it. “It’s a message from my mum,” she says, looking down at the screen.

“Do you want me to pull over and read it for you? I don’t want those people upsetting you more than they already have.”

“Those peopleare my family, Spencer.”

My grip on the steering wheel tightens. I know they are, but they don’t deserve her loyalty.

I glance from her phone to her as she clicks on the screen. When she holds it up for me to read, I’m surprised by what I see.