Page 31 of Burned

“We had an interesting conversation.”

“Oh? What about?”

“She mentioned you getting back with your ex-boyfriend. Of course, she was wrong, right?”

Silence greeted his inquiry, making his heart seize.

“She was wrong, wasn’t she?”

“Of course she was. I don’t know why she’d say that. I mean he’s been in contact with me, but I haven’t returned any of his calls.”

Jealousy of the likes he’d never experienced reared its head. “That’s interesting considering you’ve never mentioned these calls.”

“Because they weren’t worth mentioning. Terrell is my past and you are my present.”

He noticed how she didn’t mention future. Was she hiding something from him, or was he just being paranoid? “I see,” he said tightly. “So your mother was full of shit?”

“My mother has an active imagination.”

“But I didn’t imagine you not telling me about phone calls from your ex.”

She sighed. “Rhys, I don’t know why you can’t just take me at my word, but if you’re going to be like this, I think my mother isn’t the only one I need a break from. I know things are a bit crazy right now with what’s going on with your ex-wife, but that doesn’t give you the right to question my word.”

“You should have told me, Sadie.”

“Okay, I should have told you, but I didn’t. I’m sorry.” Her apology was curt and she sounded more than a little annoyed.

It was then he realized, he needed to step away from this conversation before he said something he regretted. “Okay, Sadie. I’m sorry too. Give me a call when you get back home?”

“Sure.”

He hesitated for a moment but knew he couldn’t disconnect the call without telling her how he felt. “I love you.”

There was a long pause before she answered. “I love you too Rhys. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. You sound tired, get some rest.”

“I will. Goodnight.”

A click sounded in his ear indicating she’d hung up first. What the hell just happened? Even though the call ended with the right words something seemed off. His heart was heavy.

“Get yourself together, man.” He raked his fingers through his hair. It seemed his world was spinning off its access. Carys walked around the house in a state of depression, Lacey had the nerve to call him with demands and now he and Sadie were having problems, not that he intended to let her go.

Rhys walked out of his study and went upstairs to check on Carys. She was sound asleep. He sat on the bed next to her, careful not to wake her up. He couldn’t love her more if she was his biological daughter. He leaned dropped a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.

There was one problem he could solve. He intended to call his lawyer to draw up papers for Lacey to sign away her parental rights for a large lump sum of money. It would be the second pay off he’d given her, but this one would ensure that she stayed away. She’d get half of the offering now, and the other half when Carys turned eighteen as long as she kept her promise. Knowing Lacey, she wouldn’t pass up the money.

He was on his way to bed when the door rang. Rhys was surprised to see a policeman standing on his doorstep. “Good evening. Is there a problem officer?”

“Are you Rhys Edwards?”

“Yes, sir, I am. What’s the matter?”

“There’s been an accident and we found your information. Would you be able to come down to the morgue? We’ll need you to identify the body.”

His heart plummeted to his feet.

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