Page 88 of The Devil's Torment

Of course they do. Beth must’ve gone home after she left me and told them everything, and now they want to know what I’m going to do. The problem with that is I don’t know. It’s too soon, the shock too raw and recent for me to think things through, to consider all the pros and cons.

But I know my parents. They won’t go until they’ve seen me.

“It’s okay, Nicholas.” I slink my arm through his and rest my head briefly on his shoulder, then let him go. “Where are they?”

“I had Alan show them to the formal drawing room,” Charles says.

“You’re not doing this alone.” Nicholas takes my hand and gratitude floods me. He might not love me, but he’s here for me, protecting me, putting me first.

He’s putting me first.

I’m so used to being second best, it hadn’t even occurred to me until now, but he does. In his eyes, I’m number one. He doesn’t have to say it. His actions speak for him.

The realization makes me stand taller, feel braver. I wait for Nicholas to put on some clothes before we make our way to the ground floor. It’s odd to dread facing one’s parents, but when you know why they’re here, and it isn’t for you, only what you can do for the daughter they favor over you, it’s a kick in the teeth.

As I enter the drawing room, holding tightly to Nicholas’s hand, my parents stand to greet me. Mum rushes across the room and flings her arms around me.

“Oh, Vicky. Darling Vicky.” She pulls back, tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe she’s alive. Our Beth is alive.”

“A shock,” Dad says, looking for all the world as if the heavyweight champion of the world landed a knockout punch. “Your mother almost fainted when she opened the door and there was Beth.”

Nicholas’s fingers flex around mine. If he holds on any tighter, he’ll fracture a bone or two. I tug slightly, and he loosens his grip.

“Where is she?”

“Sleeping. She was exhausted. I’m not surprised after what she’s been through.”

A strangled sound escapes my husband; when I glance at him, he’s gaping at my mother.

“Whatshe’sbeen through? What about Victoria? Jesus, what about yourselves? Your daughter faked her own death. She let you all believe she’d died in that cab. For fuck’s sake, she had someone fake official records. If any of this comes to light, she’s looking at a lengthy prison sentence.”

Mum flinches, evidently surprised at Nicholas’s outburst. Dad clears his throat several times.

Mum is the first to recover. “We’re aware, Nicholas. Beth told us everything. She knows she could be in serious trouble, but we’ll cross that bridge if it arises. We’re hopeful it won’t.” Dismissing him, she turns her attention to me. “We know what she’s asked of you, Vicky. I’m sure it’s not an easy decision to make, but you’ll do the right thing, won’t you? It’s the best Christmas present you could give your sister, and us. We’ve been given a second chance. Don’t take that away from us.”

The walls of the drawing room close in as Mum’s words crash over me like violent waves. My throat tightens, trapping air in my lungs. I press a fist to my chest. They expect me to just do it. To give away a vital organ as if it’s nothing more than donating blood. After everything Beth’s done, the crushing grief she put us all through, they’re still on her side. They only come to me when they want something. Marry Nicholas to save Dad’s company. Give Beth a kidney, because why wouldn’t I?

What about me? When do I come first? When are my feelings and fears considered?

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Instead, big fat tears drip onto my cheeks.

“That’s enough,” Nicholas snarls. “I won’t have you coming here late at night and pressuring my wife. This is major fucking surgery, and for what? To save a manipulative bitch who faked her own death? Who wouldn’t have come back if she hadn’t needed something. Who would have let you go to your graves thinking she was dead.”

“Now, hold on,” Dad says.

“No,youhold on, Phillip.” He jabs a finger at my father. “It appears to me that Beth is your only concern. Well, let me make it clear to you that Victoria is mine. If you’re that worried about your precious daughter, you do it. You give her a kidney.”

“We will if we’re a match.” Dad rubs his forehead. “We’re going to have the blood tests first thing in the morning, but from what Beth told us, her specialist doctor believes Vicky is a better choice.”

Nicholas snorts. “That’s fucking convenient.” He takes a look at me, and he mustn’t like what he sees because he snaps, “I want you both to leave. Right now.”

Mum’s face blooms with color, and I suppose I should say something, defend them in some way, but the words won’t come. They don’t deserve defending. For the first time in my life I have a protector, and it feels incredible. To know he has my back, that he’s in my corner, is possibly the greatest gift he could ever have given me. More, maybe, than the declaration of love I’m so desperate to hear.

“Vicky?” Mum pleads, but I keep my gaze averted. I’m tired and overwrought, battered and bruised by today’s events. I want to sleep, to pretend for a few precious hours that I don’t have this mammoth decision ahead of me.

“Vicky, come on.” This time it’s Dad, and he’s threaded that authoritative tone into his voice, the one he uses when he thinks I’m causing trouble or being unreasonable. “This is your sister. Are you going to let her die?”

I gasp. It’s the final straw. Before Nicholas can step in on my behalf, words I’ve held back for far too long explode out of me like a geyser.

---