Page 93 of The Sunken Truth
“Wait,” his dad said when he took a couple of steps away. “Could you still talk to Gina?”
“I can speak to her, but I think it would be better for your marriage if I didn’t.”
“Flynn. Please…”
“I’ll stick to my other promise,” he said softly. “I’ll never tell anyone at work we’re related ever again.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Light spilledfrom the window of Lily’s living room. Stopping on the promenade, Flynn stared up, imagining her pottering in the kitchen or lazing on the couch.
In three weeks, he’d be back in London. The thought made him numb. Like there was a void inside of him – a black hole that sucked in emotions, leaving him feeling entirely flat.
Instead of going in to Lily’s place, he continued back home. Sinking onto the couch, he opened his laptop and went into his emails. With a quick tap, he opened the one from Gina and scanned the words. It wasn’t only asking him about his dad’s visit but informing him they were getting divorced and apologising to Flynn. It seemed she thought she’d made things difficult for him.
He didn’t make it far into a reply before giving up and taking out his phone. It only rang a couple of times before Gina answered.
“How’s everything with you?” she asked with a sigh.
“Fine. It’s been a busy few days and I only just read your email.”
“How’s it been with your dad?”
“Umm…” He sank back into the couch cushions. “Same as usual, I suppose.”
“I don’t know what that means,” she said, a tinge of sadness to her words. “Did he tell you we’re getting a divorce?”
“He said you threatened to divorce him. It didn’t sound as though it was definitely happening.”
“Of course,” she said wearily. “He’s in denial. It’s happening though.”
“I feel as though I’m in the middle of all of this and I’d really rather not be.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “It’s not just about you. There are a thousand other reasons I can’t be with him any more, but he lied to me about you. One lie after another for years.”
“What did he say?” Flynn asked.
“He made out as though your mother was a monster who turned you against him and wouldn’t let him see you.”
“That’s not true,” Flynn said without emotion. “He didn’t see me because he didn’t want to see me. To this day, I think he’s still angry that my mum refused to have an abortion.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t be.”
“It all makes sense now. He always needs to be in control of every situation. If things don’t turn out exactly how he wants, he can’t deal with it.”
Flynn nodded and made a noise of agreement.
“I’m sorry if I made things more difficult for you, and your relationship with your dad.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “I don’t want him in my life. I’m done with him.”
“How’s it been on the Scillies? I was furious with Michael for getting you transferred over there.”
Ignoring the question, Flynn squinted,trying to figure everything out. “You must have known that he never spoke to anyone about me. Didn’t you think it was odd that his closest friends didn’t know I existed?”
“Yes. But he said he was embarrassed by the situation with your mum and how messy it all was.” She let out a frustrated growl. “And he said you were determined to make your own way at work. Thatyoudidn’t want anyone to know he’s your dad in case they thought you got special treatment. He made out that he was respecting your wishes. Now, I feel like an idiot for not asking more questions, but the way he talked about it sounded so convincing. And the few times that you visited, you were always so aloof that it seemed as though he was right that your mum had poisoned you against him.”
