Page 71 of Taboo
She makes air quotes out of the word relationship.
“To get away from you. It was clear to me that all you needed was a little nudge ,and so I invited her here, dressed her up like a tart, and left you alone with her. And you fell for it, you sick, stupid bastard.”
My head spins, shock and fury crashing together, but I manage to keep myself calm. “Okay, you planned it and then recorded us. What for? What the fuck do you want?”
“I want everything that you’re worth,” she says. "But since I’m compassionate, unlike you, I’ll settle for three-quarters. Three-quarters of everything, Max. The money, the houses, everything. And I’m keeping Jason—I won’t let my son be corrupted by a pervert like you.” She steps back, her smile curling, smug and vicious. “I hope with this video it is clear that I have all the leverage here, and you stand to lose everything. So don’t even try fighting with me, or bother engaging lawyers. Any complications to this straight forward transfer of wealth will mean this video goes public. Your friends, your businesspartners—all of them will know: more than anything you love screwing your own sister. No judge will let you near Jason after that. You’ll lose everything.”
I don’t react. Maybe because the threats haven’t sunk in, or maybe it’s because I finally see a way out, for me and Amelia. For the first time, I see it. I see through her facade. Maybe this is why I could never truly love her or connect to her, because underneath, she has always been dishonest. There has always been this madness festering. But now it’s all out in the open, her sweet, helpful facade—her girl-next-door niceness—unraveling to reveal a cunning, conniving creature.
“You’re insane,” I say softly, mostly to myself.
She laughs. “I’ll be the richest insane woman alive then.”
“Let’s make a few things clear," I say. "First of all, you’re not taking Jason. And second of all you’re not taking anything. Not one red cent.”
She laughs, a brittle, venomous sound. "I’m not going to argue with you, Max. I have this video with me, so I’ll give you time to think. To think if being stubborn and fighting me is worth the consequences and devastation I will bring to your life. And Amelia’s. Hers will be extra ruined. She illustrates children’s books. Imagine word getting out that behind the sweet innocent persona she shows to her fans, she fucks her own brother when his wife is not around. So ... think about it, Max, and think well about all that is at stake because right now I assure you I have nothing to lose, so I am going to fight this to the very end. I am, after all, the wronged wife. The victim. You’ve got until tomorrow to decide. By the way, I’ve other copies of this video. My death will mean they get released.”
With this, she takes her leave, and the door slams shut.
I settle back into the chair and run through countermeasures in my mind. I have to admit that I am quite surprised. I never saw this coming, but at the same time, I can’t say thatI am completely displeased. She only wants three-quarters. I can build it all back up again. As long as I can get her to sign a binding DNA. The only sticking point is Jason. How will this affect him? He loves Amelia, and the problem doesn’t seem insurmountable. I think of Amelia and wonder if Sara has already told her.
If she knows, then she must be in shock.
A wild hope flares within me, and with it comes relief, one that I had thought it would be impossible to feel. The truth is out—no more hiding, no more pretending with Sara, or having to hide my real feelings for Amelia. No more living in this stuffy cage. I don’t care about the money, the friends, the empire I’ve built. They’re nothing, all ash compared to her. No matter what happens, even if the whole world is against me, I can build it all again. Sara can have whatever she wants. Amelia is all I want, all I’ve ever wanted—a life with her, mornings of coffee and laughter, nights tangled in her arms.
I’d burn it all down for her, and I plan to.
I grab my phone, my fingers trembling with excitement as I dial her number, needing her voice, needing her warmth, needing to know what she thinks of all this, if she is even aware. It rings, once, twice, then cuts to voicemail.
“Amelia, it’s me,” I say, my voice rough, but happy. “Sara knows—she’s got surveillance footage of us in the pool. I know it sounds bad and perhaps it is, but I’ll handle it all ,don’t worry. She’s threatening to take away everything, but I’m pretty sure I can keep Jason. It’s not him she wants. Anyway, I think you’re still asleep and I don’t want to wake you up, so call me back when you get this alright? I love you."
I hang up and release a deep breath. Everything should be okay.
I think about contacting my lawyers to get ready for the battle ahead with Sara. I love Amelia deeply, and no matter howmuch I try to shield her, it is inevitable that she will be somewhat hurt from this, so I make a vow to do my best to bear it all on my shoulders. To shield her from the repercussions as much as possible.
Once again, there is another knock at my door. My frown deepens because there is no way this is Sara again. As of now, I no longer have a reason to see or even talk to her.
"Come in," I say, and to my surprise, the person behind the door seems to struggle with all of their might to get it open. I am just about to rise when finally, it budges, and my little boy stands in the doorway.
"Jason?" I call, surprised to see him. Surprised that he is even awake.
"Daddy," he whispers, and I notice then that his eyes are wide and frightened. His face is as white as a sheet, and there is an unmistakable glint of tears streaking down his cheeks.
“Daddy,” he calls again, his voice trembling, breaking on the word as he steps closer.
I instantly get to my feet and go to him. "Buddy, what is it? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?" I crouch in front of him. "What’s wrong?"
It takes a while for him to speak, but eventually he blurts the words out. “Mummy… mummy put Aunty Amelia in the lake.”
His words stop me cold. "What?"
"I... I saw her. I was in the studio. Aunt Amelia left me there and went to talk to Mummy, but I heard Mummy shouting. I was too scared to come down, but I saw what Mummy did from the window."
The room tilts crazily. I choke the words out, my voice barely audible. "Are you sure?"
His lip trembles, and then he nods, his small voice shaking. “Mummy took the wheelbarrow, and… Aunty Amelia was inside.She wasn’t moving. Mummy pushed her into the lake.” His tears spill over.
For his sake, I manage to keep calm.
