Page 45 of Wild Tonic
“I want to know everything. The truth. Now.”
The four of them went back into the conservatory and sat opposite each other on the two sofas closest to the French doors.
“Which one of you is going to do the talking?” Clem’s head swivelled between Dean and Marika. “I’m sure one of you was the main instigator of this. Mother?” Her gaze finally rested on her mother.
“We just wanted the best for you, Clementine. And we didn’t think Nate was it. You’re better suited to someone like Liam Avery.”
Clem snorted. “Because he likes sleeping with Anastasia too?”
“If you’ll let me finish. Like we said, we thought you weren’t really doing enough for the business and that show was taking you away from it. Then when you started seeing Nate, things started slipping and we didn’t think your heart was in it. We needed to get you back on track.” Marika paused. “Dean chatted with Anastasia to come up with the best idea to get you onside, and she thought of this.”
“This was all Anastasia’s idea?”
Dean took over the explanation. “To some extent. We planted the seed of what the outcome needed to be, and she knew the best way would be to get together with Nate.”
“How do you explain the pictures?” Nate interrupted. “I would never have kissed Anastasia willingly. I wouldn’t do that to Clem.”
He gripped her hand tighter, and she knew he was being honest.
There was a pause before Dean continued. “Anastasia mentioned something about spiking your drink. She knew you wouldn’t be a willing participant.”
As his words sank in, Clem couldn’t believe what they’d done. Not just teaming up with the person that she truly, truly despised, but dragging Nate into the whole mess anddrugging him?
Nate’s head fell back against the sofa. “When I woke up the following morning, I felt like shit. I thought I’d drunk too much. She spiked my drink?”
It was like a bad plot in a soap opera, not real life. The lengths her mother and brother had gone to. The fact they could have made Nate ill. She didn’t even know who they were anymore.
She took a deep breath, aware of the fact her world was imploding around her. Any decision she made now wasn’t exactly one that came from a sound mind.
“I never want to see or talk to either of you again. You’re meant to be my family, and support me, not want to destroy my life. This is so low, so shady, that I can’t even believe we’re related right now.” Clem stood up and pulled Nate to his feet. “We’re leaving.”
“Clem, what about the business?”
“Right now, it can burn in hell. Just like the two of you.”
The journey back to North Ridge was silent. Clem stared out of the window, trying to come to terms with everything she’d found out. She’d packed her things, slung them in the back of Nate’s car, and sat there until he joined her. He must have a million questions, but she couldn’t answer them now. She could barely think straight. The one thing she did know was that she hated her family.
By the time they got back to Nate’s flat, she was exhausted.
Nate unlocked the front door. “Sorry about the mess. I didn’t have chance to clean up before coming to see you. And I didn’t actually expect you to be coming home with me.” He gave her a sheepish grin.
He was right about the mess. The living room was strewn with empty takeaway wrappers and beer bottles, the table was covered in paper with scribbles on. Basically, it looked like every other student accommodation she’d been in. Quickly, he cleared a space on the sofa.
“I’ll take your stuff into the bedroom.”
Clem followed him. It was, at least, tidier in there, if a little bare. She sank down onto the edge of the bed, fatigue taking over.
Nate touched her temple. “Are you okay?” He shook his head. “Sorry, that’s a dumb question.”
She pulled him down beside her. “It is a dumb question, but I forgive you. In fact, I forgive you about everything. I’m sorry you got dragged in to all of this shit.” A tear slid down her cheek and Nate brushed it away with his thumb.
“Don’t cry. It’s fine, I get it.” He caressed the side of her face, tracing the line of her jaw.
Clem placed her hand over his. “I’m sorry I ran away when I saw the pictures of you with Anastasia. I should have known to have trusted you. When she sent them to me, I just flipped out. It felt like it was happening all over again; what she did with Liam, with so many others before.”
Nate gave her a wry grin. “They did look rather convincing. Although I promise you, I don’t remember any of it.”
“Ugh, I’m glad.” Clem shuddered. “What the hell am I going to do about my family though?” Her mood plummeted to the floor.
