“Why do we have to lie to the poor man?” a man’s voice asks.
“It’s a long story. He had an accident and lost his memory. He doesn’t remember we split up. I contacted him before the accident, and he was visiting his sister in America. I decided to fly out and fight for him, but I realized I was too late. He was already in love with someone else. He’d moved on.” I stumble at her words, grabbing on to the doorframe to steady myself. She’s talking about Aria. She has to be. The now familiar feeling of dread settles in the pit of my stomach, and I know without a doubt I’ve hurt Aria. Why didn’t she just tell me? It must have killed her to see me with Zara. I’m pulled from my thoughts when she carries on talking. “Then he had the accident and woke up missing the last three years of his life. He was in love with me again. He wanted me. I had to get him away from Aria. He was beginning to have feelings for her again and I couldn’t let that happen. I told him Dad had a stroke to get him to come home with me.”
“How could you do that to him, Zara?” her mum asks, and I can hear the disappointment in her voice.
Having heard enough, I push open the sitting room door, my body humming with anger. All four people turn to face me, and I see the horror in Zara’s eyes as she realizes I’ve heard everything.
“Please,” I say, my voice calmer than I feel. “Answer the question. How could you do that to me, Zara?” Her mouth opens and closes, but no sound comes out. “What were you going to do when my memory came back? Surely you’d know I wouldhateyou.” I spit the word hate and her eyes widen. She still says nothing, so I continue. “Do you know the saddest part of all this? You didn’t mention Jacob at all, only to say you never wanted a baby. He deserves so much better than that.”
I turn to her parents. “Please may I use your phone?”
“Who are you calling?” Zara asks, finally finding her voice.
“A taxi. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“Where are you going?” Her voice sounds desperate, but I don’t care.
“Away from you.”
“No! Please!” she cries, rushing toward me.
I reach my arm out to stop her. “Don’t touch me, or Jacob. I don’t know how you can sleep at night knowing what you’ve done.”
“But I love you.” Tears are tracking down her face, but I don’t care. They’re crocodile tears. She’s not capable of real emotion.
“You don’t know what love is, Zara. You don’t do that to someone you love. The only person you love is yourself.” I look to her parents again. “The phone? Could I use it, please?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll show you where it is,” her mum says sadly. I follow her into the kitchen, and she gestures to the phone on the wall. “I’m so sorry, Jack. We had no idea. She told us lie after lie.”
“I know. But please know I would never lay a finger on her. Not even now when I’m so angry I can’t see straight.” She nods, her eyes dropping to Jacob, whose head is on my shoulder.
“He’s beautiful. I wish we could have seen him.”
I sigh. “You can see him anytime, Mrs. Edwards. Just as long as Zara isn’t here.”
“Thank you, and please call me Ruth.” I smile at her. It’s not her fault Zara is crazy, and knowing she’s missed out on Jacob’s life when she wanted to see him makes me sad.
“Would you have a plaster? He’s fallen on the driveway and cut open his knee.” Her eyes drop to the blood on his jeans.
“Of course.” She walks toward me and places her hand on Jacob’s back. “You have been such a brave boy. Shall we get you a plaster while Daddy uses the phone?” Her eyes meet mine and I give her a small smile. She holds her arms out to him and he looks up to me for reassurance. When I nod, he cautiously leans forward for her to take him. She puts him on the counter and pulls up his jeans. “There’s a local taxi number on the wall by the phone. I’m so sorry it’s come to this, Jack.”
“Me too.”
I have to ask Ruth for the address when I order a taxi, and the woman on the phone promises me a car in around ten minutes. They feel like the longest ten minutes of my life, as I wait in the kitchen with Jacob. My mind swirls with a million questions, but I don’t want to ask Zara and she makes no attempt to come and speak to us anyway, which I’m grateful for. I can’t be held responsible for what I’d say to her if she did. I’ll ask all my questions when I get to the ranch. At least I know the people there love me and I’ll be getting the truth. When the car arrives, we say goodbye to Ruth and John, Zara’s dad, who’s joined us in the kitchen.
“Where will you go?” Ruth asks as she kisses Jacob goodbye.
“To a hotel to try and get a few hours’ sleep, then back to the airport. I’ve unknowingly hurt someone I love, and I need to put that right.”
“I’m so sorry this happened. Please come back and see us soon. We’d love to get to know you and Jacob better.” I give her a small smile, and with Jacob in my arms, make for the front door. We’ve almost made it when Zara emerges from the sitting room, blocking the exit.
“Please don’t go. I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
John steps in front of me and ushers Zara out of the way. “It’s over, Zara. Let them go.”
“Thank you,” I tell him as I pass them both and walk outside. I make quick work of switching Jacob’s car seat over as well as our luggage, which is still in the boot of Dean’s car, before strapping him securely into his seat. I’m just about to climb in myself when Zara comes running down the driveway.
“Wait!” she shouts, and I roll my eyes and take a deep breath before turning to face her. “I have your phone.” My hands ball into fists at my sides and my jaw clenches. I don’t trust myself to say anything, so I uncurl one of my fisted hands and hold it out. She hesitates for a second before placing the phone in my hand. I can’t even bring myself to look at her, and I turn away, sliding into the car. Slamming the door, I feel a sense of relief as the car pulls away, leaving Zara and that fucked-up part of my life behind me.