“How did you start your life over time and time again? We all do what we’ve got to do. I put up with Dad’s shit because it’s the only way to ensure Mum gets the treatment she needs.”
“Is that why you can’t kill him?” I ask.
“She needs the best treatment, Stella. It’s her only chance.”
“Fucking hell. Has my dad seen her, do you know?”
“I’m not sure. Not that I’ve seen. Dad has total control of her care. Everyone who comes in the house to look after her has been vetted, signed NDAs. It would take some work to arrange it.”
“Why would he come here if he couldn’t see her?”
“Just to be close?” Toby says sadly.
“He still loves her,” I whisper, more to myself than Toby.
Suddenly, his lack of female company over the years begins to make sense. Has Toby’s mum always been it for him?
But why walk away? Why take the fall for Seb’s dad’s death and take me and run?
“They were protecting you,” Toby says, making me wonder if I spoke those questions out loud.
“Have you spoken to your mum about all of this?”
He shakes his head.
“I’m pretty sure the room is bugged. I daren’t even mention it. If Dad knew you were here… shit, Stella. I have no idea how he’d react. I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
A thought hits me out of nowhere.
“Was it him?”
“Was what him?”
“Did he stab me? Has he been stalking me?”
Toby shakes his head. “I can see where you’re going there. But that’s not my Dad’s style. If he wanted you gone, he’d have done it already.”
“Shit. It makes sense for it to be him. He must hate me.”
“That’s not something I’d wish on anyone. I’ve spent eighteen years on the end of that hate. It’s not a fun place to be.”