Chapter 16

Jason

Dinner came to an end and the household staff began to clear the table. My father left, shooting me a sharp look as he went. I sighed and rolled my eyes. Could he take a goddamn break?

Lila was still perched in her seat, whispering something into my mother's ear and they burst into a fit of laughter.

My heart cracked at the sound of their laughter, a twinge of irritation rising within me. The hairs on my body stood on end as though I was the punchline to their joke. When did I become this petty?

I sprang out of my chair, striding out of the room.

"Jason!"

My mother's voice cut through the air, and I froze on the spot.

"We need to talk. Come with me."

I spun around, facing her. A tight expression hung over her face as she stood akimbo. She lifted her eyebrow as if to say, "where did you think you were going?"

"Excuse me, sweetheart. Let me steal your man for a moment." She winked at Lila, a smile tugging at her lips and I cringed.

She walked over to me, grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the stairs.

"Cut it out, Mum. I'm not a baby." I yanked my hand free, giving her a disapproving look.

She didn't seem to mind my expression. "Fine. But you're following me to my room right now."

"Never said I wouldn't."

We climbed the stairs, side by side, silence stretching between us. Tension rolled off our bodies in waves and for a moment, I just wanted to descend the stairs, race to my car and get the hell outta here.

I didn't do that anyway because we were standing inside her room, a few minutes later. My eyes scanned the place within seconds, taking in the familiar decor. The walls were painted a soft, pale blue, adorned with expensive artwork. A few family photos hung beside the artwork. Her bed was neatly made, with clean flowery sheets. The tiles sparkled under the glint of the fluorescent light above. Everything was clean and organized and perfect. Typical Mum.

She stood across me, hands folded across her chest bearing a worried look.

"What's wrong Jason? What is going on?"

I sucked in a breath. "Everything is fine, Mum. You don't have to worry." My own words sounded fake even to my ears.

She gave me this, do-you-think-I'm-stupid? kind of look. "Don't lie to me, son."

It sounded like a warning and a threat. I ground my teeth in frustration, thinking of ways to express myself without letting on too much.

I lied through my teeth. "Well, I've had a couple of rough days. Nothing I can't handle it."

"I'm not buying that Jay. I need specifics. Is it about the divorce? About Lila's pregnancy? What exactly is eating you up?"

"You don't have to worry about me, Mum. I'm all grown-up. I can take care of myself."

Her expression changed and I knew I had made a terrible mistake with my words. Her eyes went cold and her lips quivered as she put the words together in her head. She was done acting nicely. I could see the bomb she was about to drop in her eyes.

"Don't you dare give me that crap, Jason. Lila might have tried to cover things up but I'm no fool. Things are not cool between you two and it's because you're sulking about Isabelle?"

Isabelle's name rolled off her mouth like poison. She paused, sending a sharp look at me.

"You're hurting. Avoiding responsibility. Killing yourself with alcohol. Because of your ex-wife? The one who couldn't give you a child?"

She spat the words out, her nose scrunched up in disgust.

I shut my eyes, anger building within my guts. "Don't talk about her like that. And how did you know I'm drinking?"

"You must really underestimate me, son. I have my sources. You had better stop this bullshit and start acting like a man."

"You don't understand mum. You would never—" I trailed off, not knowing how to complete it.

"There's nothing to understand. How could you ignore the woman who is carrying your heir because you are obsessed with some bitch who you divorced with your own hands? She must have bewitched you."

She gave me a once-over, further heightening the sting of her insults. But her next words sucked the air out of the room.

"I'm disappointed in you, Jason. Totally disappointed."

Something snapped within me and all the rage I'd repressed for so long consumed me. My eyes reddened, my jaw clenched and my hand shook.

"Enough, Mum!" I bellowed.

"Are you raising your voice at me, Jason Blackwood?"

Tons of hurtful words spun around my head and they almost dance off my tongue.

However, I did the most rational thing I could muster at the moment – I brushed past her and slammed the door behind me.

"You dare walk out on me, son?"

Her scream followed me as I raced down the stairs but I paid no heed. If I stayed around here any bit longer, I would regret my actions later.

The sitting room door slammed behind me as I bolted outside, the cool night air hitting me like a slap in the face. I made my way to my car, unlocked it and got in. The engine roared to life as I turned the key and I peeled out of the driveway, tires screeching.

As I drove, the argument with my mother replayed in my head. Her words cut deep, gnawing a hole inside me. I hated how she sounded. How she spoke about Isabelle with no trace of respect. Like she was trash. As if she didn't mean anything for those years she was my wife.

A thought occured to me that had me rethink everything. Maybe they were right. Maybe I was holding onto something I had lost. Isabelle was gone for good. Why then was I pushing Lila away?