Page 42 of Hidden Memories

Do I believe him? My father has never been afraid of admitting wrongdoing in the past. He’s a mean person, and sometimes, I think he’s proud of it. Like it makes him an alpha or something. Surely, he would just admit to what he’s done? He’d never believe I’d go to the police until it happened. Even then, I bet he’d be confident in finding a dirty cop to pay off and carry on, business as usual.

“Just to be clear. You’re saying you didn’t come to our farmhouse yesterday?” I need to cover all the details so he can’t lie by omission. “And you didn’t send anyone else to ransack our place?”

“You’re delusional. Of course, I wouldn’t do such a thing. Are you okay, Katinka? Do you need to see Dr. Frazer again?”

Time fractures and the floor drops out beneath me hearing that name.

My father controlled me with money.

Nicholas controlled me with Dr. Frazer.

Somehow, despite being weak in the knees, I remain vigilant. “When the police took my statement, they asked if I knew anyone who might do this. I don’t really know anyone apart from you, do I?”

Everybody, other than my father, who I was ever close to, got pushed out by Nicholas.

“You gave my name to the police?” He spits.

I swear steam rises out of the phone.

“Kat…” He says my name like he’s using it to calm himself. “How could you stir up more shit for this family when Pacific Dreams is being investigated? You will come home. Don’t make me come there and get you…”

“Stir up shit?” I’m incredulous.

Not once did he ask if Theo and I are okay.

This conversation is over. “That’s all I needed to know, Dad. And don’t come find us. You’re not welcome in Echo Valley. Not as you are.”

“Oh, I’m not?” He’s probably turning red now. “And who are you to stop me?”

I’m nobody to stop my father. I never have been. But somehow, unfounded, and maybe I shouldn’t trust my gut, but Callum, maybe even Ava and Enzo, surely Julia… they’d have my back.

I hope…

“Goodbye, Dad.”

I’ve never hung up on my father before he was prepared to do so. I can’t say it feels good. It’s scary.

I’m staring at my cell and sitting on the edge of my bed when the front door slams and startles me out of my haze.

A man’s voice echoes throughout the house. “Julia?”

Santi?

I consider not coming out of my room. Maybe if I don’t,he’ll eventually head outside and find her in the backyard with Theo.

But then, he calls my name.

“Kat? You here?”

My car is parked outside. I can’t pretend. And damn it… I shouldn’t have to. I never did wrong by him so why should I tiptoe around like he has some dirt on me? I don’t even care if people find out anymore what we once were.

That was the past…

But as soon as I hit the bottom of the steps and he rounds the corner, our eyes lock, and that same sudden stillness we always had between us returns. The past isn’t so far away when our gazes connect. Goddamn if he still doesn’t make me buckle at the knees with those sexy brown eyes and that cowboy hat.

I grab the banister next to me for grounding, to bring me back to the present. To remind myself he isn’t the same man I fell in love with under our tree. Not only is he not that man, he turned out to be one who never deserved my love. And I hate that he still has any power over the way my heart beats.

Santi takes off his hat, calmer now, and places it on the end of the banister. “I heard what happened. I wanted to see if you’re all right. You and Theo.”

---