Page 13 of Be My Traitor

“That’s right,” I said. “Daddy is the new head at the Academy. Which means that in theory he gets to tell me what to do.”

“Something tells me that’s not really how it’s going to work though.” Lucas grinned at me and I smiled back.

“Yeah,” said Amber. “Nobody tells Mummy what to do. She’s therealboss round here!”

I laughed and Lucas and I exchanged a knowing glance. This was nice. It felt like we were a real family.

Careful, Milly. You don’t want to let your guard down. You know what always happens. Don’t let another man hurt you.

But I had a feeling it was too late. Being around Lucas felt right. I’d always felt like we were meant to be together, if only I could convince him. Maybe this time, things would be different.

Chapter 7

“Can Daddy read my bedtime story?” Amber asked as we brushed her teeth together and got her ready for me.

“Sure.” I plastered on a fake smile. Truth be told, I loved our bedtime routine. I loved snuggling up next to her in her bed, choosing a good book. We were working throughThe House at Pooh Cornerat the moment and I loved putting on silly voices for all the characters. I was planning on reading Beatrix Potter to Amber once we’d finished. I was going to introduce her to all the best children’s classics so that by the time she got too big for me to read to her, she’d be one of the most well-read kids in town.

After a bedtime story, we would sit and tell each other three things we were grateful for about that day. I always ended by saying that I was grateful she was in my life, because I was. My daughter was a blessing and I felt so privileged I got to be her mother. Then I’d kiss her on the top of the head, on the tip of her nose and on each cheek before Amber did the same to me.

It was a ritual we’d done every night for as long as I could remember. But my daughter had casually tossed it aside in favour of having Lucas read to her and I had to be the bigger person and be okay about it. The last thing I wanted was to make Amber feel like she had to choose between us. I was going to be a grown up and be supportive of Amber’s relationship with her father, even if I felt like I was dying inside.

“Daddy! Daddy! Come read to me!” Amber ran out of her ensuite bathroom and called to Lucas from her bedroom door. A moment later, Lucas was there, carrying Tyrone with him.

“Can Tyrone listen to the bedtime story too?” he asked.

“Of course, silly.” Amber giggled. “We’re having a sleepover!”

I watched as Amber and Lucas tucked the gigantic stuffed toy up in bed before Amber climbed in next to him. She was lucky she had a room big enough for a double bed – if she was still in the small cot she’d had when she was younger, there’d be no room for the bear, let alone for her as well.

“What story are we reading?” Lucas asked, going over to the bookshelf.

“Pooh! Pooh!” Amber laughed again, the strange bear name always amusing her.

Lucas foundThe House at Pooh Cornerand came over to perch on the edge of the bed. I tiptoed out of the room, as Amber helped him find the right page. Bigger person or not, I wasn’t quite ready to watch Lucas usurp me.

I went downstairs and poured myself a generous glass of wine. I figured I’d earned it after the day I’d had. I took a large gulp before going to sit in my favourite comfy chair to wait for Lucas to finish the story.

Was this was it was going to be like from now on? Lucas gradually taking my place in Amber’s life while I get shoved aside?

I tried to tell myself not to be so daft, but it was hard not to feel a little hurt when my daughter had ignored years of bedtime stories in favour of having some stranger read to her. Because that’s who Lucas was to her – a stranger.

I took another large swig of wine. Everything was going to be okay. Lucas was just a novelty to Amber. Once the excitement of someone new wore off, she’d be back to her regular clingy self, wanting me instead of some man who was just as likely to get tired of her as she was of him.

Yeah, right.

Watching the two of them together this afternoon, I could see that there was a definite bond between them. It wouldn’t take many more afternoons like that for the two of them to develop an unbreakable connection. I just hoped that Lucas wouldn’t suddenly abandon her. I didn’t like the idea of picking up the pieces. I hated seeing Amber upset at the best of times. If she lost her father, she’d be devastated and if Lucas hurt her, I wouldn’t rest until he paid the price.

“Whew!” Lucas came down and slumped onto the sofa. “Amber’s full on, isn’t she? She wanted me to read her three stories and then sing her a song. When I said I didn’t know the words toBaby Shark,she insisted on teaching me. She point blank refused to settle down until I’d sung it to her word perfect, complete with a little dance.”

“Ha!” I snorted, before taking another sip of wine. “If you think an afternoon’s tough, you should try the last four years.”

“I don’t know how you’ve done it,” Lucas said. “I take my hat off to you. Hey – is there any of that wine left? I could really use a glass.”

“The bottle’s on the side in the kitchen.” I waved a hand, indicating he could help himself. I really wasn’t in the mood to get up and serve him. He’d forced his way into my life again. He could get his own damn wine.

Lucas went and poured himself a small glass before coming back to sit with me. “I better not have too much. I’ve got to drive home.”

An awkward silence descended. I’d run out of small talk for the day and it seemed that Lucas felt the same way.

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