Page 81 of It Started with a Kiss
My office door burst open and in stalked my mother.
She stood there, a picture of manicured perfection, as she demanded, ‘Finlay, why are you ignoring my calls?’
I scowled at her. ‘Come in, why don’t you, Mother dear?’
‘Answer me, Finlay. You were brought up with more respect than to ignore your mother.’
I leaned back in my chair and regarded her with disdain. ‘But we all know respect must be earned,Mother.’ Using the word ‘Mum’ felt way too forgiving.
She stepped forward and sat down in the leather chair facing my desk. ‘Stop being so obnoxious, Finlay. Now, tell me why you won’t speak to me.’
I sighed and rubbed my hands over my face. I wasn’t in the mood for Isobel Hunter drama. ‘Seriously? You really need to ask me that after what you did to me and Star?’
She blanched and her eyes widened. ‘How did you find out?’
I scrunched my brow. ‘What do you meanhow did I find out? I was present at the time, for God’s sake. I was there when you and Dad made her feel about two inches tall at the charity event, remember?’
She heaved a sigh. ‘Oh. Oh,that. Oh, yes, well, water under the bridge and all that.’ She reached into her oversized designer handbag and pulled out her compact, flicked it open, and peered at her reflection.
Confusion washed over me anew. ‘Hang on. What did you mean when you asked how I found out? Found out aboutwhat?’
She snapped the compact shut and pursed her lips. ‘Oh, come on, Finlay. It isn’t all about you, darling. Have you considered what this whole situation is doing to your poor father? He’s been ill, you know.’
‘Whoa. No, you’re not changing the subject, Mother. What did you mean?’
A fake sob escaped her throat and she reached into her bag again to pull out a hanky. ‘Just know that we want what’s best for you. And anything that’s happened has been because we have your best interests at heart and weloveyou.’ She dabbed at her non-existent tears.
My heart began to thud in my chest, and I clenched my jaw. ‘I’ll ask you once more, and I expect an honest answer. For once in your life, Mother, do something selfless, please. What did you do?’
The calmness in her voice was a total contrast to the anxiety and anger building rapidly inside of me. She waved her hanky. ‘Oh, nothing. It was just a letter.’
My stomach clenched. ‘What letter?’
She smiled as if remembering a happy incident. ‘Well, two letters actually. One to each of you. Just to make sure you both made the right decision.’
‘What. Letters. Mother?’
Her lip began to tremble in that Oscar-winning actress manner again. ‘One to Star to let her know you were back in your rightful place with the family firm, and one to you to let you know Star was moving on.’
I slammed my fists on the desk, and she almost jumped out of her skin. ‘You bitch!’ I stood and slammed my fists down again, the thud vibrating through the wood. ‘You evil bitch! You’re supposed to be my family. Where the hell is your maternal instinct? You’re supposed to care about me!’
She stood and wrung her hands in front of her. ‘Idocare, Finlay. I just wanted what was right for you. Andshewasn’t right for you. I mean, come on. Pink hair and those ghastly tattoos? What kind of impression did it give to—’
‘That’s just it. I don’t give a crap about anyone else’s thoughts on my relationship with Star, Mother. I loved her. Iloveher. And you... you ruined it with your lies. You’ve made her think I don’t love her!’ I shouted at the top of my voice. My lungs began to burn as I fought to pull air in. My heart wanted out of the whole sorry mess, and it was almost breaking free of my ribs.
Alasdair and Fiona appeared in the doorway. ‘What the hell are you doing here, Isobel?’ Alasdair demanded.
I jabbed a finger in her direction. ‘It washer.Shewrote the letter pretending it was from Star. And she wrote one to Star, too. It washer.’ I glowered at the woman who’d given birth to me as Alasdair gaped at her too, disbelief plastered on his ageing features.
Alasdair stepped aside and gestured at the gap he had created. ‘To think I used to love you, Isobel. To think I was willing to marry you all those years ago. Thank goodness Campbell Hunter stole you away. I can’t imagine being married to someone so despicable. You and Campbell deserve each other. Now, I think you should leave before I have you removed.’
She pleaded at me with watering eyes. ‘You may not believe me, Finlay, but wedolove you. We just want to put the family first as a unit. Your relationship with that... that...’ She closed her eyes briefly, allowing tears to spill down her perfectly made-up cheeks. ‘WithStarmade a mockery of us all and everything we have built.’
I inhaled a wavering, unsettled breath. ‘There is a saying about judging books by their covers, Mother. But let me tell you that if it was a choice between someone manicured and ‘perfect’ on the outside but as ugly as you on the inside, I would choose someone like Star every damn time. But do you know what? I think she’s the most beautiful, kind and intelligent woman I have ever met. And I love her with every ounce of my being. Now, I think Alasdair is right. You should leave. And please don’t bother to contact me again. As far as I’m concerned, the only mother I ever really had was Hetty. And as for a father, I never had one. And that’s fine with me.’
She sobbed dramatically as I slumped into my chair, spent from my verbal onslaught. Without saying another word, she stormed out of the office and out of my life.
For good.
