Page 96 of Illicit Heir

Her mum's glare deepens, her hatred spewing from her eyes as if it could cut right into my soul. She snarls, "Then ya shouldn't expect us to. Unlike ya, we know who we are."

"I don't know who I am?" I question, confused.

"Get out of my house. Just get out of my house!" she orders.

I decide it's best to diffuse this situation. I reply, "Fine, I'll go." I turn back to Lauren. "Ya need to talk some sense into her. This is your future."

"What do ya care about my daughter's future?" her mum accuses, her voice growing higher.

This is not going how I wanted this conversation to go.

I shake my head. "I'm very sorry I interrupted your day. Please think about what I said. The offer won't last long. Don't make a decision based on being hardheaded."

Her mom huffs. "My loyalty is not hardheaded."

I almost laugh again. I have to give it to her, so I admit, "I respect loyalty. But sometimes, the wind changes, and ya can either be blown away, fight the wind, or embrace it. This is one of those times ya should embrace it."

"Oh, aren't you poetic," her mum snaps.

I glance at Lauren one more time. "Take care. Make sure ya get the pub back." I ignore her mum's evil look, shooting me more daggers, and leave the house.

I get into my car and sit in it for a few minutes, staring at the house, willing Lauren to come out, but she never does.

At one point, she comes to the window, but her mum steps next to her and pulls the drapes shut.

I don't go back to Belfast. I stay in Coolock for the night in the flat. The next day I text Lauren.

Me: I'm in the flat. Come see me.

For the first time in a month, she replies.

Lauren the Enemy: No.

Me: It wasn't a request. We need to talk—without your mum present.

Lauren the Enemy: There's nothing to talk about.

Me: There is, and ya know it.

Lauren the Enemy: No, there isn't. It's over between us. Ya don't need to contact me anymore, Devin.

Me: Lauren. We need to talk.

Lauren the Enemy: Like I said, there's nothing to talk about. Don't message me anymore, or I'll get a different number.

I stare at the message, then toss my phone against the wall. I cry out, "Ugh!"

I spend a few hours pacing the flat and finally decide I need to leave. There's nothing here for me. If Lauren and her mum aren't going to listen, I can't do anything about it. And if Lauren's not going to see me, and doesn't want to talk to me, then there's really nothing in Coolock for me.

Right now, I only need to focus on finding Caleb and burying him deep in the ground.

17

Lauren

The Next Day

Mum ranted for over an hour after Devin left and wouldn't stop questioning me if I slept with him.

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