Page 76 of Finding Forgiveness
“It is, Mr Lewis.”
“Bradford, please. Is Cassandra there?”
“She is, she’s right beside me.”
My eyes move to her, and I wait until she gives me a nod before I hand over the phone. Her dad seems like a decent guy, but I’d never force her into doing something she wasn’t comfortable with.
“Daddy,” she says, placing it to her ear. Her phone isn’t on speaker this time, so I can only hear her side of the conversation. “Yes, I’m okay. My phone has been off for most of the week, I just needed a break from everything.” After a short pause, she says, “You know about the baby?” That information has all the colour draining from her face as she slowly lowers herself down to sit on the side of the mattress. “Mum told you? … Oh, Connor did.” Her eyes snap to me. “Did he tell you what she did to the baby?” she whispers as tears instantly rise to her eyes. I shake my head, letting her know I didn’t. We haven’t conversed since I read the letter. “She killed it, Daddy,” she cries, choking on a sob, and seeing her like this has my own emotions bubbling to the surface. “She gave me tablets she said were vitamins, and I miscarried.”
When she breaks down, I take the phone out of her hand and drape my free arm around her shoulders, pulling her body into my side. It’s moments like this that I realise that radiant smile of hers hides so much hidden sadness. “Mr … I mean, Bradford.”
“Is what she saying true?”
“I’m afraid so, sir.”
He falls silent for a moment before saying, “I can’t believe Amanda would do something so despicable and heartless … to her own daughter no less.”
“It’s all true,” I state with conviction because I know the real Cassandra, the person she is deep down, and I believe every word she wrote in that letter. That sweet and vulnerable girl would do anything her parents asked of her because she was so desperate for their love. Her mother took advantage of that in the worst possible way. “I probably should warn you; I won’t be letting this slide. I’m coming after her with the full force of the law for what she’s done.”
Cassie draws back and looks up at me with wide eyes. The shock on her face is evident. This isn’t how I planned on broaching the subject with her, but I can’t let this go. I will seek retribution for both Cassandra and our child. I won’t rest until that evil woman is behind bars where she belongs.
He clears his throat. “You’ll have my full co-operation.”
“Thank you.” I hope Cassie is on board too because I can’t let this go.
“I need some time to digest this,” he confesses. “Can you please tell my daughter that I love her and I’ll be in touch?”
“I will.”
“For what it’s worth, Connor, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the both of you. I knew my wife had control issues, but this …”
Once the call has ended, I drop the phone on the bed and slide my hands under Cassie’s arms, lifting her to her feet, where I wrap her up tightly. “I hope you can understand why I need to do this, Cass.”
“I hate her for what she’s done, Con, but I’m scared …so scared.That woman terrifies me.”
I draw back and cup her pretty face in my hands. “You’re safe now … I’ll never let her hurt you again. I promise.”
I’ll move heaven and earth to see that happen.
Chapter23
Cassie
I’ve had two more calls from my father today, the first being early this morning. Once the initial shock of my conversation with him last night wore off, the anger set in. He’s even gone as far as asking my mother for a divorce and moving himself out of the house. My family has a second residence in Canberra, where he stays when he’s doing his parliamentary duties, which is often, but Melbourne is still the place he’s always called home.
Both my dad and Connor have been constantly reassuring me that things will be okay, but I’m still sick with worry, to the point it’s almost crippling me. My mother’s world is crumbling and there is no way she’s going to just sit back and let it happen. These two don’t know the real side of Amanda Lewis like I do. Her reputation and the perception others have of her mean everything.
“You’re shaking,” Connor says when he re-enters the bedroom after showering.
“I have a sick feeling inside.”
“Princess,” he says, coming to sit beside me. When he slides his arm around my waist and leans in to place a soft kiss on my hair, I feel a smidge better. Having him here has been amazing, but he’s returning to Sydney today, and I’m not sure how I’m going to cope once he’s gone. “I wish you’d reconsider coming with me. I don’t like the idea of you being here on your own. Besides, I’ll miss you.”
I glance over at him and smile. “I’m going to miss you too.” Tears are burning the back of my eyes, but I’m trying hard to keep it together. I’ll let it all out once he’s gone.
“I know physically you’re safe here—if you disregard all the wild animals that lurk around at night—it’s your mental state that concerns me. You need to be around people who care for you, Cass. You have Martha, but she’s at work most days.”
My heart was set on this journey of discovery, and I was determined to see it through to the end, but he’s right. I can always revisit it when the storm settles. I need to be around Connor and Jacinta … the people that really matter to me.
