Page 43 of Absolution

“Ma’am,” grumbles the man standing beside me. “It’s time to go.”

“Oliver!”

Using his name worked. He turns around to face me. “What?”

“You need to listen to me.”

“I don’t need to do any—”

“I’m your mother! And I need to talk with you.”

That gains his attention—along with the attention of everyone else surrounding us. It’s time to open Pandora’s box.

ChapterFifteen

Oliver

“Why should I believe anything that comes out of your mouth? If I am indeed your son, you abandoned me with no regard.”

I don’t know why I’m entertaining her. She isn’t my mother.

“It’s not that simple, Olly—”

“Don’t fucking call me that,” I interrupt, my voice a roar.

“Fine.” She exhales harshly. “Oliver. I am your mother. I carried you for nine months.”

I struggle not to lose my cool. This woman is stupid if she thinks she can come here and tell me lies. I won’t stand for them. She is trying to play some sick game.

“When I found out I was pregnant with you, I wasn’t ready to be a mother. Anita was more than happy to step in and take care of you. She could give you what I couldn’t.”

“What. Do. You. Want?”

“Your sister needs you.”

I chuckle. This woman has truly lost it. “You can’t be serious. After God knows how many years, you waltz back into Ava’s life, and when that doesn’t work, you storm in here and claim I’m your son. You must take me for a fool.” I huff.

I turn and walk toward the office, not wanting to hear another word from her mouth, but she continues. “Oliver, Ava O’Brien is your sister. You’re both my children.”

I immediately spin to face her. The audacity of this woman. “You’re lying.”

She removes something from her bag before joining me outside my office. “Here.” She hands me a photo. “I’m sure you recognize these people.”

My brows join when I scan a picture of Diana with my father and mother.

“I had an affair with Dougal for years. I was his long-term mistress and left shortly after giving birth to you. Ask Anita. She will tell you I’m your mother.”

Every time she speaks, her true colors are exposed.

She isn’t here to form a relationship with me.

She wants something. I don’t know what, but I am certain of my assumption.

“Why should I believe you?”

“Why would I lie?”

“I don’t know… and that’s the problem.”

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