Page 136 of Mark

My hearts beats wildly as I slam the door closed behind her. She’s right. Freya doesn’t give out second chances.

I can be the first.

I can.

No. I will be.

I skip the shower, heading straight for my clothes to put on a T-shirt before making my way outside. A mark on the doorframe of Freya’s door catches my eye and I move closer to investigate.

“That fucking bitch.”

I didn’t break the glass bumping into her. It had already been broken by her clipping it against the doorframe.

I move through the hallway, making my way upstairs to the dinner hall, hoping that is where I will find Freya.

“Mark, I was just coming to get you,” Lily calls out when I reach the dinner hall.

“I can’t stop Lily,” I state, moving through the tables to find her parents.

“Son, what has happened?” Dad questions, catching up to me.

“I’ll explain after.”

Freya’s mum’s eyes widen at the sight of me. “Where is Freya?” I ask.

She doesn’t meet my gaze. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t lie to me,” I grit out.

Sharing a glance with her husband, she bites her lip. He clears his throat. “She was here not long ago looking rather upset. She’s asked us not to share where she is as she needs time alone.”

“So she’s with Maya?” I guess.

“Please, give her some space. She’s doesn’t ask for a lot, but she’s asking for this. She will find you tomorrow; you have our word,” her mum softly replies.

I press my fists down on the table, letting them see how angry I am. “Your daughter is an amazing person. She is kind to everyone, and the fact her class, after only a week, are excited to have her as their teacher is a testament to that. She keeps things bottled up because she doesn’t have a way to release all her pent-up anger and frustration with you all. She can vent to her friend but it doesn’t fix what has already been said and done to her. The two people she should be able to go to have done nothing but turn their backs on her.”

Mitch holds his hand out. “Stop right there, son. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I bang my fist against the table, rattling the plates and glasses. “I know more than you and I’ve only been in her life a short while. Your other daughter is cruel beyond words to Freya, and you’ve watched it play out like they’re feuding neighbours you don’t want to get between. Esther needs serious help, but it’s Freya who needs it from you.”

“Maybe if you explained what has happened we could—”

“You calling Freya over earlier. Was that your idea or Esther’s?” I interrupt.

Mitch shares a glance with his wife. “Esther mentioned Freya was acting weird today and advised us to speak to her.”

“Which is what we were planning on doing anyway,” Maggie rushes out. “What happened, Mark? Freya didn’t say but I could tell she was upset.”

I laugh without humour. “I’ll tell you what fucking happened. Esther cut her leg, making me believe I was the cause. I took her into my room because I felt fucking awful, and was knelt down cleaning the wound when, unbeknown to me, she removed her bikini top. Freya must have walked in, and whatshe saw wasn’t actually what she thought it was. Your other fucking daughter orchestrated the entire thing, knowing how it would look to Freya.”

“Son, what do you mean?” Dad asks.

I glance up at him and hold back my disgust. “Picture it, Dad. Esther is sitting on the edge of the bed, I’m knelt between her legs cleaning the cut, and she somehow removed her bikini top. I even know the moment Freya must have walked in because Esther moaned,” I explain, hearing people around us suck in a breath. I turn back to her parents, my eyes narrowed. “Esther has no remorse for what she has done. None whatsoever. Because I called her out on it. And before she goes around saying I hurt her, it’s a fucking lie. She broke that glass before I arrived; I just didn’t know that until I saw the mark on the doorframe.”

“Maybe you’re wrong,” Maggie whispers.

I slam my fists down once more. “Open your fucking eyes, for Christ’s sake. Your daughter is in pain because your other daughter is so fucking insecure. I bet Freya didn’t even tell you why she had been so distant this morning.”

---