Page 71 of Sinful Promises

Her jaw was clamped so tight it was a wonder her teeth didn’t crack.

But her silence proved I was on the right track. “If you don’t start talking, I am going to take what I think I know to the police.”

Mother inhaled a huge breath and let it out, long and slow. Then she produced the necklace from beneath the sheet. “Put that away.”

I opened the velvet pouch, and she dropped the necklace in like it was on fire.

She glared at me as I put the pouch into my backpack.

I shoved backward on the chair, folded my arms across my chest, and waited.

Mother sipped on her drink, adjusted her position on the bed, and did a few other annoying things, all stalling for time. But I wasn’t going anywhere until I had answers.

She scraped her hand through her hair, and staring at the ceiling, she said, “You are right.”

I blinked at her. “Right about what?”

“About all of it. He robbed the store. We were on the run. I was his alibi and I used that to blackmail him into staying.”

My jaw dropped. I was stunned into absolute silence. A thousand questions raced through my brain in an instant. It was an eternity before a burning question wriggled its way forward enough for me to speak. “So, Rob was a thief and you knew it. But you wanted him to be my father so bad that you blackmailed him into it. Why?”

She shrugged. “Because I wanted us to be a family.”

Acid coiled in me like a deadly viper ready to strike. And in that very instant, I knew exactly what that strike would be.

I stood and clutched her hand in mine. Her smile confirmed she expected all the rotten history to be behind us now.

“I can’t say it was nice seeing you again, Mother.”

Her expression melted. Realization settled onto her face.

“Talking to you has made me understand who the most important person in my life is.”

Her eyes dazzled.

“It’s me.”

Releasing her hand, I snatched the newspaper and photo of Rob, and shoved them and the wooden box into my pack.

“Goodbye, Mother.” I tugged the strap over my shoulder, turned on my heel, and strode from her bedside.

“Daisy! Get back here, you fucking bitch.”

I reached the elevator, aware that they were probably the last words I’d ever hear from my mother.

It didn’t hurt me one bit.

Chapter Fifteen

Iwalked out of the hospital like I was walking on air. The truly rotten moments in my life were forever going to be behind me. Finally, I had a purpose.

I strode to a waiting taxi and jumped in. “Take me to the nearest police station please.”

The driver glanced at me in the mirror, then said, “You got it,” and shot out of the parking bay like his life depended on it.

Fifteen minutes later, I was greeted at the police counter by a young man in uniform who actually looked like he was pleased to see me.

“How may I help you?”

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