‘Don’t you think you’ve had enough?’ Lauren asked, eyeing the bottle warily.
‘I’m just getting started.’
Lauren threw up her hands, exasperated. ‘I can’t do this anymore, Jake.’
‘You can’t? What about me, huh?’ he said, his eyes blazing. ‘Living with an ice queen in this mausoleum!’
‘If that’s how you feel, why take the job?’ Lauren countered, refusing to back down.
‘Because . . . because I’ve earned it,’ he said, invading her space. The stench of alcohol was overwhelming. ‘And once I’m in charge, there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. I own you.’
Lauren recoiled, bile rising in her throat. ‘I’m not a possession. I don’t belong to anyone, least of all you.’ She squared her shoulders, lifting her chin. ‘I’m so done. With you, with this sham of a marriage. I’m just . . . done.’
For a moment, uncertainty flickered in Jake’s eyes.
‘If . . . if you leave me, it’ll be the biggest mistake of your life,’ he said. ‘I’ll . . . I’ll ruin this hotel’s reputation, I swear it. Imagine the scandal.’
Lauren frowned, confused. ‘What scandal? What are you talking about?’
Jake laughed. ‘Oh, I’ll make something up. Affairs, embezzlement, abusing the staff. It doesn’t matter. Once the rumours start flying, it’s over for you.’
She stared at him, seeing a stranger. ‘I can’t believe what I’m hearing.’
Jake leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear. ‘I’ll call Social Services myself. Tell them you’re an unfit mother. That you neglect Ben. They’ll take him away, and you’ll never see him again.’
Lauren jerked back as if she’d been slapped. ‘You wouldn’t.’
‘Try me.’
Lauren’s blood turned to ice in her veins. She needed to get away, to think. Without a word, she turned and strode to her room, slamming the door behind her.
She crawled into bed fully clothed.
I’ve got no one to blame but myself for how things have turned out. I’m the one who got myself into this mess and I’m the only one that can get myself out of it.
Sleep evaded her for the next few hours, and when the first rays of dawn filtered through her window, she climbed out of bed and made her way to Ben’s room, easing the door open.
He was fast asleep, his face peaceful. Innocent. Lauren’s heart clenched, fierce love welling up inside her.
‘I’ll fix this,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll find a way. I promise. You deserve better.’
She leaned over him and pressed a feather-light kiss to his hair.
We both do.
***
Lauren was elbow-deep in the mess Jake had left behind from the night before when a sharp knock at the door made her jump. She wiped her hands on her jeans and went to answer it, surprised to find her mother, standing there.
‘Mum! This is a surprise,’ Lauren said.
Eleanor breezed past her into the hallway. ‘Hello, darling. Is Jake around? I want to ask him about that hotel deal he mentioned last week. I thought he might have some more details.’
Lauren shut the door. ‘He’s out. Not sure when he’ll be back. Did you try calling him?’
‘Yes, but his phone’s switched off.’ Eleanor frowned.
‘Standard,’ Lauren muttered under her breath. ‘Well, since you’re here, want a cup of tea?’
Eleanor’s face brightened. ‘That would be lovely.’
In the kitchen, Eleanor made herself at home at the dining table while Lauren busied herself with the kettle. As she poured the tea, she had a sudden thought.
She carried the mugs over to the table. ‘Mum, can I talk to you about something?’
‘Of course. What’s on your mind?’ Eleanor looked at her expectantly.
Lauren fidgeted with her mug. ‘It’s about Jake and I.’
Eleanor’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Oh? What about you two?’
Here goes nothing. Lauren chose her words carefully. ‘Well, I’ve been thinking a lot lately . . . about whether we’re really happy together.’
Eleanor’s face fell. ‘What do you mean, Lauren? You and Jake have been married for years. You’ve built a life together.’
‘I know, but sometimes, things change. People change.’ Lauren shrugged, avoiding her mother’s gaze.
‘Change isn’t always a good thing, Lauren. You made a commitment to Jake. You can’t just throw it away because things aren’t as exciting as they used to be.’
