Back in the Saddle (Diamond Firetail Farm)

Chapter 30

30

Taylor

M um came into my office and sat opposite me. “Isabelle and Callum tell me you were late for dinner.”

I clenched my jaw. “It’s not a fucking crime.”

Mum didn’t bite back. “When I left at 3pm you were ready to leave too. What happened?”

This was bullshit. Why did I have to explain myself? I was a fucking adult. And I hated myself for disappointing my children. That’s what pissed me off the most.

“What did Mary say to you the other night?”

Tears rolled down my cheeks. “She told me Ciaron had lost interest, and her love was more important than mine and she would take him from me, and it was my fault he left.”

“Taylor! Why haven’t you told Ciaron?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Because he will choose her side.” I sobbed. Mum rushed around the desk and hugged me.

“No, he won’t.” She hugged me tighter. “Is this why you’ve never told him how you feel about her?”

I nodded. Mum held me while I cried. “I did last night. But he can’t see that she’s a shitty person.” I took in gulps of air. “He didn’t believe me.”

Mum smoothed my hair down and muttered, “That man. I’m going to kill him.” She stepped away and took a big sigh, composing herself. “OK, tell me how that conversation went. Were you calm? Did you point out things to help him see?”

“No. I yelled.”

“You need to talk to Ciaron. Face your fear.”

She was right.

“Go home. Talk to him. I’ll handle anything that pops up here.”

“Thanks, Mum.”

She gave me another hug. “Ciaron loves you. He will step up. If he doesn’t, he’ll have me to answer to. And then we can both divorce his arse.”

I took a deep breath and nodded.

When I got home, I went in via the sliding door in our room, hoping Ciaron would be there, and we could talk. My shoulders slumped when I didn’t find him. It looked like I’d have to drag him away from Mary.

Her loud voice carried easily down the hallway. “Garinion”—grandchildren, she was talking to Isabelle and Callum—“your mum can’t help it. Work has always been more important to her than you.”

I clenched my fists. It was bad enough she was trying to turn Ciaron against me, but bringing my children into it was low.

“It’s not like that Mamo,” Callum said. “She works hard, so we have a future.”

“Nonsense. She couldn’t even buy Isabelle a new dress.”

I stormed down the hallway. Ciaron wasn’t there. It was Isabelle, Callum and Mary. “Go to your room,” I said to the kids.

Isabelle and Callum hurried out.

I spun on Mary, who merely smiled at me.

Bitch.