Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
Jules
T here’s a familiar silver sedan in our driveway when I arrive home. Can nothing go right today? The last person I want to see is my mother-in-law. Any other time, my blood pressure would spike on seeing her, but I’m too tired, too shattered to care.
I climb out of the Uber and limp to the front patio. When I was at the station, adrenaline kept the pain at bay. Now there’s no reason to hide it. Everything aches—my body, my heart, my soul.
Kathy scans me up and down. “What in the world happened? Are Mick and Riley okay?”
She doesn’t ask me how I am. What a surprise. I brush hair from my face. “Why are you here?”
I have no patience for niceties. She never calls in during the week. Avoids spending time alone with me, which means she wants something.
Her lips purse together, and she gives me another once-over. “I’ve been thinking about Riley’s reading problem.”
My hard heart softens a little. For all our differences, she adores her granddaughter. “I might have some answers there. ”
She continues as if I haven’t spoken. “I know a very good tutor who could help, but Mick won’t agree to it.”
“He must have his reasons.” Whatever the fuck they are, since this is another thing he hasn’t told me about. But I don’t want her to realise I’m clueless.
Kathy pats her coifed bun. “He does, but he’s being unreasonable. The needs of his daughter should come first.”
“There might be a?—”
“Surely, you wish the best for Riley.” She cuts over me before I can share Riley’s near-sighted diagnosis with her.
My hand stills on the doorknob. Experience tells me there’s more to this request. Kathy always has an ulterior motive. Always. “What do you want?”
She straightens her top, then pins me with her ‘take no prisoner’s’ look. “Tell Mick that you’d like Thea to help with Riley’s English. They dated years ago. It shouldn’t be an issue.”
Now my blood pressure ramps up. She wants my husband’s ex-girlfriend to tutor my daughter. There can only be one reason. I pivot away from the door and face her. “Let me guess. Thea’s newly single?”
Colour creeps along Kathy’s decolletage and up her neck. Scheming bitch. This isn’t the first time she’s tried to throw another woman into the mix to break us up. She may get her wish sooner than she thinks, but there’s no way I’m brightening her day with that tidbit.
I gesture at my sweaty clothes. “I’d invite you inside.” When Sydney and Melbourne stop arguing about which city is the best one to live in. “But as you can see, I need to shower.”
I slam the door in her face. It’s a satisfying sound that warms my heart for all of two seconds before the reality of the last few hours comes crashing back.
Secrets on secrets on secrets. Do I know my husband at all?