Page 45 of The Stranger

“I don’t like my daughter's fighting, Mr Prescott.”

“Was it a fair fight, Mrs St. James, or was it three against one?”

“I don’t know what you’re insinuating?—”

“Your complete lack of regard for what Delilah has been through to start.”

“I—”

“I’ve seen it with my own eyes, Mrs St. James. Your daughter stole her fiancé. Have you ever stopped to think how deeply that must’ve hurt her?”

“Of course … it was a terrible situation for all.”

“The only victim I see here is Delilah. Those two went on what was supposed to beherhoneymoon and flaunted pictures of themselves all over social media. And how did you deal with that? You gave them a welcome home dinner and made your daughter attend. If that doesn’t scream heartless or, at the very least, insensitive …”

“You’re right,” she says.

“And when I got to your house last night, I found you and your husband consoling Abigail in the hallway, while Delilah sobbed her heart out in her room … all alone.”

“Is she there? Can I speak with her? I’ve been trying to reach her.”

“I advised her to turn her phone off after she spent the morning being verbally abused by Kayne and Abigail.”

“Oh.”

“If I put you through to her, are you going to upset her?”

“No,” she answers without hesitation.

“If you do, I’ll?—”

“I won’t,” she says, cutting me off. “I just want to make sure she’s okay.”

It’s a little late for that, but I still transfer the call to Delilah’s desk.

Once I return the receiver to the cradle, I stand and round my desk, stopping just inside the open doorway, so I can hear what transpires. A part of me doesn’t trust what she says. It shouldn’t take a virtual stranger to point out the obvious.

“Mum,” Delilah says into the phone, and I can hear the trepidation in her voice. “Yes, I’m okay … I’m staying at Spencer’s for now … No, I don’t know when, or if, I’ll be coming back home.”She won’t be if I have my way.“I feel safe there.” I hate that her admission has my stupid heart beating a tad faster. “My lip is okay … a little sore.” I peek around the doorframe to see her tenderly touch her injured mouth. This woman has me all kinds of fucked up. “I put some ice on it to help with the swelling … He’s good to me, Mum … Yes, he treats me well.”

I feel like a creep standing here. Spinning around, I stalk back to my desk because I shouldn’t be listening to their conversation. I’ve done several things I shouldn’t have today that go against everything I stand for. Not to mention some of the crazy shit I’ve pulled over the past few weeks. I barely even recognise this side of me.

I feel like I’m stuck on some crazy emotional rollercoaster, with highs and lows that at times have me feeling out of control. My heart and mind are in a constant tug-of-war between desire and reason, and it’s driving me to the edge of insanity.

Chapter 15

Delilah

“Do you mind if we stop by the store so I can get some groceries, Damien?” I ask as he pulls into traffic.

When the end of the working day rolled around, Spencer said he had things he needed to finish up at the office and organised for his driver to take me home. Going back to his apartment without him is going to feel weird, but I plan to make him a home-cooked meal while I wait. A thank-you for everything he’s done for me thus far.

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my mum growing up. Abigail was always daddy’s girl—and kind of my mum’s as well—but baking or preparing meals was one thing we often did together.

My mum’s cooking prowess was limited since my father’s tastes were quite bland. Her goal in life has always been to please him. He’s like her puppet master and constantly controlling those invisible strings in some way or another. I’d frequently encourage her to cook other things—something different to the boring old norm—but she always said,“Oh, I don’t think your father would like that.”

Now was my chance to step outside of my comfort zone. To cook something other than steak and three veg. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s following a recipe.

Spencer is used to eating finer foods, which is out of my realm, so I do a quick Google search on the way to the store, trying to formulate some kind of game plan. At first glance, I see nothing that takes my fancy.