Page 40 of The Next Mrs. Parrish

“I didn’t leave you, sweetie. It’s…it’s a misunderstanding. I’m trying to get it fixed so I can come get you.”

“Amber said you don’t love us anymore.”

A rage unlike any I’ve ever known envelops me. I take a deep breath, forcing back the scream in the back of my throat. “Of course I love you. I don’t know why she would tell you that. I love you more than anything.”

“Mommy, please come get us.”

She begins to cry, and my heart shatters into a million pieces. I grip the phone tighter, my head spinning, trying to think of what I could possibly say to make her feel better.

“Daphne?”

Jackson’s voice cuts throughme.

“What is wrong with you? How could you do this?” I’m screaming now, and Meredith runs over and puts a hand on my arm.

“Calm down,” she whispers.

“You miserable son of a bitch. You drugged me and stole my children.”

“I’d advise you to calm down if you ever want to see Tallulah and Bella again.”

“You won’t get away with this.”

He laughs. “I already have. I miss my family. But it’s not complete. I want you back.”

His words rock me. “You’re out of your mind. I’ll never come back to you. How could you possibly think I’d ever come back after you pull something like this?”

“Drastic times require drastic measures.” His voice softens, it’s the tone he uses when he’s pouring the honey on. “Daphne, my love, you’ll come to see in time that what I did, I did for the best of our family. Amber’s leaving tomorrow. We’re divorcing. I’ve already cleared it with DCF, since you were negligent not abusive, as long as you’re not left alone with the children, they have no issue with your being here. I want us to work toward becoming a family again.”

I’m so stunned I can’t speak. He’s certifiable. If he was insane before, he’s now completely and utterly delusional. “Tell DCF the truth and then maybe we can have a chance. But not this way.” I’m lying, of course, but maybe he’ll buy it. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to get my children back.

He chuckles. “Nice try, Daph. You know I can’t do that. Number one—I’d get in a lot of trouble. And number two—you’d just takethe girls and leave without giving me a chance to prove what a good husband I can be. I wasn’t lying. I have changed. I should never have cheated on you. Never let you get away. You’re my one true love, and I’ll do anything to prove myself to you again.”

Despite my better judgment, I try to reason with him. “Jackson, don’t you see how wrong this is? You’re telling me you love me. That I can trust you again, yet you’ve made me out to be a drunk and a drug addict in front of our children. In front of the community. I’m being investigated as an unfit mother! How can you expect me to believe you’ve changed and that we have a future when you’ve done something so despicable?”

“I’m sorry that it had to be this way, but tell me honestly, would you have ever given me a chance otherwise? This was the only way. I know it seems harsh and unfair, but you’ll be cleared and by then you’ll be in love with me again and all will be well.”

That he actually believes I could ever love him again completely astounds me. “I need time to think,” I say, stalling for time.

“Don’t take too long; otherwise, I may decide that the girls are better off without you. After all, what is there to think about? Either you want to be with them or you don’t.”

– 25 –

AMBER

It was Amber’s last day in Bishops Harbor. If she could have accomplished a revenge plan completely alone, she would have done so, but unfortunately, since she needed Jackson’s financial expertise, that meant she’d have to share the diamond money with him if she wanted his help. She would still end up with enough money to take care of herself for life, and Jackson didn’t know about the gems she still had hidden. Those would be 100 percent hers. Besides, being too greedy could get you in trouble. As her father was fond of saying:Pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered.Of course, that was the only smart thing she ever heard him say. She and Jackson had finalized their business arrangement yesterday and formed an LLC in which they were equal partners. They named it Delancey-Flynn. Amber liked the sound of it. A former prison friend of Jackson’s, Hugo Bennett, would be their front man. He was charming, British, and apparently a consummate con man. If all went as she hoped, the LLC would soon own a part of Daisy Ann’s business. It was a long shot and hinged on two things: her hunch about Daisy Ann’s partner, Wade Ashford, being correct and Valene Mart’s interest in buying out the company. Amber had no doubt that Wade was crooked; Jake had admitted that much. What she didn’t yet know was if she’d be able to get the leverage she needed to make him dance to her tune. After her meeting tomorrow she’d know for sure. Then she’d move on to the second part of their plan. She wasn’t too concerned. If this plan didn’t work out, she’d come upwith another way to make Daisy Ann pay. Amber was good at revenge. There was always a way.

She walked outside to the deck overlooking Long Island Sound and breathed deeply. She would miss this view, but when she finished what she set out to do, she would have a new view, one that belonged to her and her alone, far away from this small town and its small-minded people. She wasn’t the same stars-in-her-eyes, naive young woman she’d been when she’d first stepped foot in this house. Back then, she’d thought living here with the charismatic and powerful Jackson Parrish was the ultimate prize. Now she knew that true success and power came from being independent. From having the money and influence to do whatever you wanted, wherever you wanted, and answering to no one. Thanks to those beautiful little rocks, that’s exactly what she now had. A thrill of anticipation ran through her at what lay ahead, when the buzz of conversation made her turn around to see Chloe and the girls walking toward her.

“The girls would like to take a swim. Is that okay with you?”

“Is Jax still napping?”

“Oui, madame.”

“Fine. Just make sure you take his monitor with you. I’ve got a busy afternoon.”

“When is my mom coming over?” Bella asked, moving in front of Amber, her little hands on her hips.

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