Page 21 of Mark

I turn to see Mum and Dad making their way over to us, holding a beige case that is a little bigger than the one that broke. My dad glances down at the clothes. “Honey, do you really need that many clothes? They have a cleaning service on board.”

“It’s okay; it’s on Mark,” Hayden answers.

“You really took that poor man’s money?” Mum scolds. “Did we not teach you anything?”

Poor man.

That man stole my cat, has driven me nuts since the day I first bumped into him, and he’s the reason I need new clothes.

I grit my teeth, unable to answer since I’m close to losing it.

Teagan steps in to answer when I don’t speak. “We insisted. Your daughter kept refusing but, well…”

“No one can say no to a Carter,” Hayden finishes.

“This is my mum, Maggie Baker, and my dad, Mitchel Baker,” I introduce before my mum can belittle me some more.

“I’m Teagan, and this is my niece, Hayden,” Teagan greets. “Again, we are sorry for the disruption to your holiday.”

Mum waves her off. “No apology needed. I’m sure my daughter is as much to blame as your son.”

I’m really beginning to understand why Rose was going to jump from that ship. Her mother was just as insufferable as mine.

I force a smile. “Well, you know me, always the disappointment.”

“Why don’t we transfer this to the case,” Teagan offers.

Mum rolls her eyes, not hearing her. “Do not put words into my mouth, Freya. You’ve not exactly been jumping for joy for this wedding. Your sister deserves better.”

“This isn’t about the wedding.”

“Look, we know it must be hard to see Danny marry your sister, but you need to be happy for them. Or at least paste on a smile for them. They don’t need this souring their blissful day.”

“I am happy. I’m over the moon that my ex-boyfriend is marrying my sister,” I respond bitterly, feeling hot, bothered and frustrated.

“Don’t make a scene,” Dad whispers, glancing around.

“I’m not the one making a scene. I’m here, aren’t I? I did what you needed me to. But maybe,just maybe, you could think ofmefor once. I might not be pining for Danny, but the betrayal still cuts deep, and I had no one on my side. No one called out Esther or Danny for what they did to me.”

“Are you really going to make this about you?” Mum scolds.

“You’re the one who made it all about Esther. My clothes falling into the ocean had nothing to do with her. She didn’t orchestrate it. Yet you made it about her,” I growl. I turn to Teagan and Hayden. Teagan is zipping up my new case but Hayden is so engrossed in our conversation, it unsettles me for a minute. “Thank you for my clothes.”

I grab my case as Mum replies, “Do not walk away when we are talking to you.”

“Mum, I need five minutes. I’ll meet you on deck once I’m through boarding.”

“We will come with you,” she continues, following me out.

I stop just outside the door and turn to her. “Mum, Ineedfive minutes. Please.”

“Come on, honey. We can go grab those drinks for Esther.”

I turn away from mum’s judgemental stare, and let out a breath when they head in the other direction from the boat.

“Your ex is marrying your sister?” Hayden asks.

“Hayden, I don’t think she wants to talk about it,” her aunt warns.

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