Page 85 of Finding Forgiveness
He introduces me to everyone I don’t know, and I greet the ones I do. The men in the suits are two of Logan’s top lawyers, one who specialises in criminal cases, and the other who deals with medical malpractice. The old guy is Mike, Logan’s private investigator.
I’m grateful to have all these competent men on my side, but I’m still having doubts.
Connor pulls out the chair beside him. “Sit,” he commands.
As soon as I’m seated, Logan starts talking. “We’ve been in contact with the police in Melbourne and faxed down the detailed statement you gave Jim last night. They’re putting together a task force to investigate. At this time, your mother has not been arrested because we’re still trying to gather all the evidence to build a case. We want this charge to stick. Regardless of the police involvement, we will still be doing our own investigation from this end, we want to cross all our t’s and dot all our i’s.”
My head is spinning as I listen to him, but the word that stands out the most iswe. It’s comforting to know I’m not going through this alone.
“We’re not bringing in the hospital where she works, or the medical board at this stage,” he continues, “we don’t want to do anything that may tip her off until we get all our ducks in a row, but once we do, things will start to happen pretty quickly. We’re also making plans to have her audited at some point, to try and find out how she came into possession of the medication she prescribed you, and what it was. Hopefully, there’s some kind of paper trail.”
My hope continues to dwindle when he says that because it sounds like a lot of what ifs. “Okay,” I squeak, sounding like a frightened mouse. Connor’s hand moves under the table, coming to rest on my leg.
“She’s denying you were even pregnant,” my father chimes in.
“She’s lying because I was.”
“We believe you,” Connor says, lightly squeezing my leg.
“After I took a pregnancy test, I went to see a doctor. He did both a blood and urine test and confirmed I was.”
All the men around the table sit up straighter in their seats. “With your father’s help, we are getting all your medical records from your general practitioner, as well as the paediatrician you were under.”
“I didn’t go to my regular GP,” I state, bowing my head. “He was a friend of my mother’s and I was scared he’d tell her. I went to a medical centre a few suburbs over … the same place I’d gone to get birth control when Connor and I became sexually active.” My face heats having to admit that in front of all these strangers, but mainly my father. I was young, I know—sixteen—but to me, there was nothing dirty, wrong, or sinister about what Connor and I did. We genuinely loved each other, and it was simply our way of expressing that. My eyes hesitantly move to my dad, and I mouth, “Sorry.”
I’m not apologising for my actions, but I am sorry if any of this news hurts him. He’s probably disappointed to hear his teenage daughter was doing all these things behind his back.
“It’s okay, baby girl.” My father leans forward in his chair and reaches across the table to place his hand on mine. “You were young and in love, you have nothing to apologise for.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” I say, choking on my words.
Having my father here means the world to me. I know this can’t be easy. Especially considering his job. Scandals like this can ruin politicians; you see it all the time.
Connor removes his hand from my leg and drapes it around my shoulder, pulling me into his side. When he places a soft kiss on the side of my head, a tear rolls down my cheek.
Logan clears his throat. “I know this isn’t easy for you, Cassandra, and I’m truly sorry for everything you’ve been through, but trust me when I say you have the best legal minds in the country on your side. Your mother will pay dearly for her crimes. I won’t rest until she does.”
“How does the table look?” I ask Connor as he exits the kitchen.
Coming up behind me, he slides his arms around my waist and rests his head on my shoulder. “It looks great … very professionally done.” He turns his head and places his lips against my cheek. “You did well, Princess, I’m proud of you.”
I spin until I’m facing him and snake my arms around his neck. “Thank you.” I’ve dined at enough fancy restaurants over the years to know how to do a perfect table setting.
The last three weeks, here with him, have been a dream come true. I’m living my best life, but there’s been the odd occasion where I’m hit with a fear so intense it’s debilitating. My therapist thinks they’re anxiety attacks, stemming from my mother. But they come from nowhere … even when I’m not thinking abouther, or worrying about what she’s up to.
I wonder if it’s because things are too good … I’m too happy, and I’m not used to this kind of bliss. Growing up, my mother was always lurking on the sidelines ready to drag me back down to reality whenever life was going too well for me.
“Have you ever considered doing something like this professionally? You have the knack for it.”
“No, I like my job at the studio,” I answer as my fingers play with the short hair at the nape of his neck. “How’s dinner coming along?”
“Good. The chickens are almost ready to come out of the oven and rest. The vegetables should be done by the time everyone arrives.”
We’ve resumed our cooking classes at the culinary school and seem to be improving every week … well I do. Connor is a natural. Last weekend, we made roast chicken and baked vegetables. It turned out so good we decided to spring a surprise dinner party. Our guests think we’re ordering in and discussing the final preparations for the wedding—which is just under two weeks away—but instead, they’ll be dining on a beautiful home-cooked meal prepared by us.
Tonight’s going to be an adult-only get-together. Grace, Jim, Jacinta, Mason, Brooke, and Logan are all coming. Blake’s spending the night at the Cavanagh’s residence with their kids. Logan’s niece, Lara, is babysitting. Mason and Jacinta recently pulled Blake out of the school he was attending due to the bullying. He’s now going to the same one as CJ and Angel.
Connor did most of the cooking for tonight, but I helped him with all the prep. My main job was decorating and making the kick-arse cocktails that I plan to serve on arrival.
