Page 66 of Cruel Embers
“Why don’t you let Nathan come see the place and go from there?” Lottie suggests.
“Fine,” Vi says, crossing her arms. She’s worked out that there’s no talking them out of this.
Resigned to the fact, I agree, even if it’s only to save face. “I’m free tomorrow.”
And make myself scarce. I know when I’m not wanted.
ChapterThirty-Four
VIOLET
Exhausted doesn’t even cover it. I drive back to my parents, and my dad offers to drop me off at home, which I appreciate. He makes small talk, but my mind is elsewhere, until he pulls up and parks outside my small block of flats.
“Thanks, Dad,” I say with a sigh and unclip my seatbelt.
“Are you okay?” he asks, taking me by surprise.
I grip my handbag. “Of course, I’m fine,” I lie.
He shakes his head. “I don’t think you are, sweetheart. I realised something today,” he says, looking out the windscreen and then back to me.
“You had to grow up too fast when we lost your brother. And for that, I’m sorry.”
Frowning, I turn in my seat to face him better.
“It wasn’t your fault.” I reach out for his hand.
We all knew the risks of Max having a kidney transplant. His immune system was weakened, which meant being more susceptible to infections—a risk of taking the anti-rejection medication. The first couple of months after the transplant, he’d been doing well, until he was hit with a urinary tract infection. Six months later, he died of sepsis.
Dad gives me a sad smile and shakes his head. “No, his death wasn’t, but for a long time after, we weren’t present, not as parents should be.”
I want to reply and tell him he’s wrong, but whenever I open my mouth, I can’t form the words because I don’t know how to respond.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I saw it today when you made that comment in jest.”
Guilt engulfs me, and I look down at my lap. But my dad gently tugs on my hand to get my attention again.
“It was a flippant comment, but seeing your reaction to it hurt. It’s not your job to protect us, love. We should be protecting you.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Dad, I’m twenty-four.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Maybe so, but you’ll always be our baby girl. Come for dinner next Sunday. I think it’s time we all had a little chat.”
The thought fills me with anxiety, but I swallow hard because, deep down, I know he’s right. Maybe it's been long overdue.
“Okay, Dad.” I lean over, kiss his cheek, and then get out of the car. He watches me until I’m at the main door, and I wave as he pulls away. And that's when I see Nathan's car parked, with him staring back at me behind the steering wheel.
I turn around, use my key fob to open the main door, and then glance back over my shoulder as he closes the car door, head cast down. He walks toward me as I hold the door open with my foot.
As he reaches the threshold, I step away and turn to make my way up the stairs. I hear the loud click of the door closing, his heavy footsteps echoing behind me.
My hand trembles as I raise it to the keyhole and turn the lock. I let out a breath as I push open my front door and step inside. Nathan’s presence behind me has my pulse racing with adrenaline.
I kick off my heels, opting to wear them today instead of my usual boots, and I let out a sigh of relief as soon as my feet are free.
Nathan toes his shoes off in my peripheral vision as I walk into the kitchen and place the paper bag with some leftover cupcakes on the counter.
Closing my eyes, I grip the edge of the counter and take a deep breath before pushing away and turning to face him.
