Page 39 of Kiss the Bride

I show Liv the text before pressing send.

“Who are you sending it to?”

“Your father.”

“I don’t want him to worry.”

“It’s the truth, and if I start trying to sugar-coat things, they’ll know I’m lying and worry even more.”

“Another version of the truth could be that the resort is the perfect location,” Olivia pronounces each word slowly as she struggles to take control and I silently wait, fingers poised on my phone.

“This location, no, this resort is the perfect location for romance.” Olivia blinks a few times and bites her lip before taking a deep breath and starting again, “Just say that this location would have been perfect for a honeymoon, but it’s also the perfect place to—“ Olivia’s lip trembles and I squeeze her hand. Yes, she needs to do this alone, but she isn’t alone.

“What if I just say that you have survived the second day of your relationship detox and that you are ready to start making some decisions about the future.”

Olivia nods so I delete the unsent text and try again.

Hunter: Survived day 2 of relationship detox. Ready to start throwing out the trash.

At least this time when I show her the draft, her mouth twitches into a smile and I choose to believe her eyes want to follow.

“I’ll send the same message to each of your parents, Jess, and who else?”

“I’ve got an idea,” Olivia reaches for her phone and takes a photo of the text message still on my phone. “Day two of my social media update.”

We both focus on updating our world and Olivia reminds me of her unanswered question from yesterday, “Can I see Mitchel’s text to you?”

“What do you think he said?”

“I’d say he’s trying to switch the blame to me by suggesting that you and I are either hooking up, or we never stop hooking up?”

“Close enough. Don’t worry about my feelings. He’ll be the one hurting once we reconnect back in Sydney.”

“I’d like to still see his message, and I want you to be the one to send the text giving him until nine am to clear out of my house.”

“I think I should give your dad a heads-up first. Make sure that he doesn’t take anything of value from the house, or at least nothing that is yours.”

“We bought most of it together and other than the antiques I inherited from granny, he can have it all. I want his crap gone, but Dad should probably suggest a lawyer so Mitchel can’t claim the house.”

“I can’t do all of this by text. It’d be easier if I just ring.” Olivia nods and listens while I call her mother first, and answer twenty questions about whether or not Olivia is looking after herself, whether she is sitting with me, and whether or not I’m going to take her to a doctor to get her something to help her sleep.

“She loves you,” I say after hanging up.

“I know, I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”

I patiently answer the same set of questions from her father, before setting a plan in place for organizing what Liv needs us to do.

Within half an hour her father and I have sorted out one of my security guys from dad’s firm to go and keep watch over the house to ensure things can be removed but the house can’t be damaged. We also arrange for a locksmith to arrive at 9 AM to change all of the door locks, update the window locks, and reset the security system.

“I’m sure Olivia’s mother would appreciate the opportunity to arrange donating the furniture and personal items to shelters.” It strikes me that his voice has the same gentle tone when talking about Olivia’s mother, as it does when he talks about his daughter. He may hate me for what I’m about to do, but Liv needs to hear it.

“How did you and my father do it, sir?”

“Do what? And be careful what you’re asking.”

“You and my father both cheated on your wives. I know you’ve moved on, but whenever I see you with Liv’s mother it’s like the two of you are still together.”

“I got married to the first woman I fell in love with. Your father did the same. I guess he needed to know what else was out there before realizing the woman he married was the right choice. From where I stand, he’s never regretted fighting to rebuild his marriage. He works hard every day to reprove his devotion and dedication to your mother and your family.”

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