‘Lauren, I never admitted to it in the first place. You just wanted to believe I did so you could justify distancing yourself without feeling guilty for never loving me.’
The accusation hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her momentarily speechless. ‘I—’
‘Save it, Lauren. It doesn’t matter anymore,’ Jake cut her off, his voice cold and detached. ‘I’m done with the games too. If you want a divorce, I’ll give you one. I’ll have the solicitors on it tomorrow.’
He placed his drink on the table with a decisive thud and headed for the door. ‘Not everything is as it seems.’
Her heart clenched at the cryptic remark, a sense of unease washing over her. ‘What does that mean?’ she called after him, her voice trembling with anger and fear.
‘You’ll find out soon enough,’ Jake replied, ‘I’m going to pack my stuff. I’ll be out of your life soon enough.’
‘And Ben’s?’ Lauren’s voice broke as she spoke her son’s name, the thought of him growing up without his father a weight that pressed heavily on her heart.
Jake shook his head, his expression softening with a sadness that mirrored her own. ‘No, not Ben’s. He’s my son, and nothing will change that.’
With that, he left, the door closing behind him with finality. She sank onto the sofa, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
The anonymous letter that had shattered their family flashed through her mind. It had accused Jake of having an affair with Fay, and without hesitation, she had believed it. Her family had too, their judgement swift and unrelenting. But now, as she replayed the conversation in her mind, doubt crept in, gnawing at her insides.
Her mother’s voice echoed in her head: ‘There are some things you don’t understand.’ Even her grandmother had hinted that Lauren wasn’t seeing the full picture.
Could Jake have been innocent all along? Had she been so blinded by her own fears and insecurities that she had destroyed their marriage based on a lie? The thought made her stomach churn, bile rising in her throat.
Lauren felt the weight of the truth crashing down on her, each piece of the puzzle falling into place with a clarity that left her reeling. If it wasn’t Jake who had betrayed her, then who had?
She sat there, the weight of her guilt and regret pressing down on her like a heavy shroud. She had spent months living with the belief that Jake had been unfaithful, letting it poison her heart and destroy their love. But now, as the truth began to dawn on her, she realised just how wrong she had been.
And as she sat there, staring at the closed door, she knew that her world would never be the same. The truth had been revealed, and it was a truth that she would have to live with for the rest of her life.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Rain climbed out of Clara’s car, her mind still racing with worry about Fay. She quickly glanced at her phone, hoping to see a missed call or text that would put her mind at ease, but the screen remained frustratingly empty.
‘I won’t be long,’ Rain said to Clara, trying to sound casual despite the gnawing anxiety in the pit of her stomach.
‘No rush, take your time. I need to get petrol anyway, so I’ll be back in about ten minutes.’
As Rain headed into her flat, the unusual silence made the hairs on her neck stand up. She’d expect to hear music blaring or the TV, but there was nothing. The place felt almost unnaturally still, like the calm before a storm.
‘Fay? You home?’ Rain called out, her voice echoing off the walls. She desperately hoped to hear her sister’s familiar voice, some reassurance that everything was fine.
But she was only greeted with silence.
Rain’s heart sank as she made her way through the flat, her footsteps sounding far too loud in the empty space. The eerie quiet was unsettling, amplifying the dread that had been building inside her.
‘Fay? Where are you?’ she called again, her voice wavering slightly as she entered the kitchen.
That’s when she noticed it. A full mug of tea and half-eaten sandwich sat on the counter sent a fresh wave of fear washing over her. It was as if Fay had been interrupted in the middle of her snack.
With a trembling hand, Rain dialled her mum’s number, clinging to the hope that Fay might be with her. After a few agonising rings, her mother answered.
‘Hey, Mum, is Fay there with you?’ Rain asked, trying to keep the panic out of her voice.
‘No. I talked to her earlier, but she said someone was at the door and she’d call me back. I haven’t heard from her since.’ Her mother’s words confirmed Rain’s worst fears, sending a chill through her veins.
Rain’s mind kicked into overdrive, spinning out increasingly terrifying scenarios. What if Fay had been taken against her will? What if she was in danger, or worse?
‘Did she say who was at the door?’ Rain pressed, desperate for any scrap of information.
‘No, she didn’t mention a name. I assumed it was you. Is everything all right?’ Her mother’s concern was evident, her voice tight with worry.
Rain hesitated, torn between her desire to protect her mother and her need for help. ‘I’m not sure,’ she admitted finally, her grip tightening on the phone.
‘Maybe she’s with that man she’s been seeing?’ her mum suggested, a hint of disapproval colouring her tone.
Rain considered the possibility, but something in her gut told her that this was different. This wasn’t just Fay hiding out again. No, there was something much more sinister at play here.
‘Yeah, maybe,’ she said, not wanting to worry her mother further. ‘Oh, I think I hear her coming in … sorry for worrying you. I’ll get her to call you later.’
After disconnecting the call, Rain stood frozen for a moment, her thoughts spinning in chaotic circles. She knew she should call the police, but what would she say? That she was worried because she hadn’t seen her sister for a few hours? As well as this, Rain didn’t want to overreact, to bring the authorities down on her sister if there was a chance this was all just a misunderstanding.
Trying to shake off the sense of foreboding, Rain made her way to Fay’s room. As she pushed open the door, she took in the familiar disarray – clothes strewn across the floor, drawers hanging open haphazardly. It was a mess, but it was a comfortingly normal Fay mess.
Nothing too unusual here, then.
Rain tried to rationalise the situation, to convince herself that Fay was just being Fay. Her sister was a grown woman. She was free to come and go as she pleased. It wasn’t like she was under house arrest or anything.
Knowing that Clara wouldn’t be back from the petrol station yet, Rain needed to keep her hands busy, so she started tidying up Fay’s room. She picked up the scattered clothes and folded them neatly. As she went to hang up Fay’s coat, something made her pause.
