Page 92 of Salvation

“I don’t recall. He said his father had passed away around two months ago and that you were taking some time away to get your head around everything.”

That was right around the time I had sent my letters to everyone after I had left the Gellers. Even though I hadn’t sent him one, he still took the time to let my parents know I was safe.

Why?

Honestly, Dante’s actions confused me. We ended on bad terms. Why did he go out of his way to make sure my parents knew I was okay?

The cynical side of me wanted to say it was him making sure he was protected from them ringing the police. The softer, more stupid side wanted to believe he actually cared.

“Did he say anything else?” I asked, not wanting to contradict whatever story he had told.

“Nope. Like I said, it was abrupt. You and him have that in common. You were always overly rude in your text messages.”

“Mother…” I warned.

“I’m not insulting you, Rachel. Why do you always have to assume I’m attacking you?”

“I—”

“How about I take the kids to the park?” My dad interrupted, jumping to his feet. “Supplies here are a little low, anyway. We can stop off at the shops on the way and get some more snacks.”

I looked at the table, still brimming with food.

“If they want to go to the park, I don’t mind. Keep an eye on Axel. He’s a flight risk,” I smiled at him.

“He takes after his mother then,” my mother muttered under her breath.

“You know where the park is if you need us. We’ll only be around an hour.” My dad said, shooting a warning glare at his wife.

“No problem. Have a good time, kids,” I quickly scurried over and gave Axel a kiss and Bee allowed me to give her a small hug before I watched them leave.

I waved at them down the hallway, and the second the door closed behind them, I turned on my mother with a vicious snarl.

“What the fuck is your problem with me?” My voice trembled with fury. I’d put up with this shit for years—years of her pretending none of the bad shit we went through actually happened. Years of her refusing to own up to her part. Years of her smug disdain for me.

I was fucking done.

Chapter 38

Rachel

“Honestly,” my mother rolled her eyes at me. “You’re so dramatic. Is there any need for raised voices?”

“Yes. Yes, there is,” I snapped back. “Because the second I entered this house, you have been nothing but hostile towards me.”

“We have neighbours. Please keep your voice down. Don’t be selfish, Rachel.”

Hearing “selfish Rachel” set me off. In an overwhelming surge of memories, I heard every time she had called me selfish in the past, and I saw fucking red.

“Selfish? You want to talk about fucking selfish?” My mother flinched at my swearing, but I was too far gone to care. “Forget being hostile to me. You have been hostile towards my children.Yourgrandchildren.”

“Well—” she began.

“I’m warning you, Mother. Do not complete that fucking sentence. Bee is as much my child as she is Dante’s.”

“She’s a nice girl, Rachel. But she’s not our grandchild. Do you expect us to bond with her, only to have her ripped out of our lives the next time you and Dante have one of your little tiffs?”

“Little tiffs?” I spluttered. “I’m just going to ask you to shut the fuck up and listen, because I won’t be repeating this. Bee is my child. Yes, I’ve fucked up, and yes, I’ve hurt her. But she ismineand you will show her the same level of love and respect I expect you to show Axel.”

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