Page 26 of Finding Forgiveness
Connor
Once Cassie has unpacked all of her things and put them away, and I finish untangling her jewellery, I leave her and head to my own room. As much as I wanted to stay, I could tell she was exhausted.
I feel like we have made a lot of progress today, and I’m somewhat lighter for it. I’m still hurt by everything that has happened in the past, but I meant it when I said I forgave her. I’ve seen how controlling her mother is over the past two days, and my gut tells me there’s a chance she had something to do with Cass’s decisions back then. I may not agree with the way she went about it; I feel like I deserved more than what she gave me, but if it’s going to help her heal, then I need to let it go.
I’m now lying on my back on the bed with my hands resting behind my head. My mind is going a hundred miles an hour as I stare up at the ceiling. It’s not going to be easy just being friends, especially considering I want so much more, but it has to be better than the animosity we’ve shown towards each other over the past six years.
It was draining and only seemed to cause the open wounds I’d been carrying around to fester. For that split second, I’d take pleasure in the cruel comments I’d sling her way, but that satisfaction never lasted long. I was always left feeling like an arsehole. That’s not the kind of person I am, but a broken heart can make you do unspeakable things.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when my phone starts to ring. When I pull it out of my pocket and glance at the screen, I see it’s an unknown number. I usually ignore those, but given everything that is going on, I decide to answer it.
“Hello.”
“Mr Maloney?” the male voice asks.
“Yes,” I answer.
“This is Bradford Lewis, Cassandra’s father.”
I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed. “Mr Lewis,” I say. “What can I do for you?”
“I’ve just had a very distressing phone call from my wife informing me that you are keeping my daughter against her will.”
Wow.“That’s interesting since it was your wife that was holding her prisoner.”
“I don’t believe you. Amanda may be a little strict on our daughter occasionally, but Cassandra has always lived a pretty carefree life.”
“If that is so, then why did I have to go with two police officers in tow to get her out from under your wife’s clutches?”
“I don’t appreciate your implications, young man.”
“And I don’t appreciate yours. Did your wife inform you that your daughter has been in the hospital for the past two days?”
“No. Why was she in the hospital?”
“She was actually in intensive care after a failed suicide attempt.”
“You’re lying.”
“Am I? Why don’t you ask your wife, or better still call the hospital where she works? I believe it was her that informed the staff not to notify you.”
“My wife would never do something like that?”
I scoff at his reply. This guy is delusional, or he’s been living with his head buried in the sand for far too long. “I guess you don’t know your wife as well as you think then. Not only did my mother and I have to sit by your daughter’s bedside because neither of her parents were there when she needed them most. But the one time your wife did bother to show up, she told Cassandra that it would be better for everyone if she didn’t wake up—”
“Now listen here,” he shouts, cutting me off. “My wife loves her daughter; she’d never say such a despicable thing.”
“I’m not finished … and I was standing right there and heard every hateful word that spewed from her mouth. She told her she regretted the day she was born and would’ve aborted her if it wasn’t for you wanting an heir. That’s not motherly love, Mr Lewis. Your wife is a vile human being.”
“Put my daughter on the phone,” he orders.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. Your daughter is resting, but I’ll tell her you called. She may not be able to call you back though, since your wife confiscated her phone and cut her off financially.”
“Put Cassandra on the phone this instant, or I’ll contact the police.”
“Be my guest. They are well aware of what’s going on. Hence why they went to the house to perform a welfare check on her. Your daughter came with us willingly, despite your wife’s attempt to keep her there against her will.”
“You haven’t heard the last of me,” he barks down the line before ending the call.
