by Mandy Magro
‘Hello, Juliette.’ Lachlan stepped inside, suitcase and briefcase in hand, looking impeccable in his tailored suit. ‘I didn’t expect to find you here.’ It was no secret he wasn’t thrilled to see her. ‘On a day like today, I thought you’d be out riding your big oaf by now,’ he added, his tone icy.
His low blow at her horse made her blood boil. Anger, hurt and rejection swirled in nauseating circles. He’d wanted to sneak in and avoid her again. ‘Why haven’t you been answering my calls?’
‘It’s not like I ignored you.’ His expression remained poker-faced. ‘Like I explained in my text, I’ve been busy.’
‘Too busy to take five minutes to call your wife back?’ she huffed. ‘For goodness sake, Lachlan, with what we’re going through, I’d have thought you’d make more of an effort.’
He plonked his bag down and placed his briefcase on the kitchen countertop. ‘I’m sure whatever it is you had to say would have taken longer than five minutes, and that’s all I had in between meetings and the like.’
His nonchalance grated. ‘I’m not even worth your time, Lachlan?’
‘Please, Juliette. Don’t start again. I can’t deal with all of this on top of the upcoming election.’ He closed his eyes, shook his head, and sighed. ‘You know how much it means to me, running for mayor. I’ve wanted it since I can remember.’
The verbal arrow shot straight through her already broken heart. ‘You don’t want to deal with this?’ Her words were measured yet breathless. ‘You’re the one who caused this, remember?’
‘How could I forget when you keep reminding me?’ His eyes were still shut. Groaning, he massaged his temples.
A rush of renewed fury fuelled her already racing pulse. She bit back the expletives she so wanted to fire at him like bullets so he could hurt like she was hurting. She didn’t want to stoop to that level, and didn’t want an argument, if she could help it. Harsh words and accusations weren’t going to get them anywhere. Been there, done that. He finally opened his eyes, only to be met by hers, and they remained like that for a few long, uncomfortable moments.
He really seemed like he didn’t care, and that hurt so much more. Before she burst into inconsolable tears, she drew in a steadying breath. Swallowing down her rising emotions, she folded her arms, and even though a part of her wanted to pretend this wasn’t happening, and a very small part wished she could tumble into his arms and be told how in love he was with her, she stayed put. Long gone were the days she would welcome him home, excited to hear about his day. How wrong had she been to think her life could be right with a man like Lachlan Davis?
‘I didn’t think you were home until tomorrow,’ she finally said.
After a long, drawn-out breath, he responded. ‘My meeting for today cancelled last minute, so I hopped on the first flight home this morning.’ His hands went to his lower back. ‘I need a decent sleep in my own bloody bed. My back’s killing me.’
In the past, she would have offered a massage and a heat pack, would have told him to put his feet up while she tended to his every whim. Now, it was impossible to be her usually empathetic self. There was way too much resentment for that. ‘I would have thought a five-star hotel had decent enough beds.’
‘Yeah, tell me about it.’
‘I just did.’ There was a fleeting moment of familiarity, of alliance through humour. He almost smiled. She almost did too. But she stopped herself from dipping her toes into that fake moment of bliss with a huff. Their marriage was a damn mess, and she had no idea how they were going to work through it, or if they even could. And as Zoe had pointed out, did she even want to?
He turned from her and, after checking there was sufficient water in the kettle, flicked it on. ‘So, what did you call me about, other than to remind me what a bastard I am?’ He busied himself, avoiding her eyes now.
Juliette hated his detachment, especially when it wasn’t her who had gone and done the wrong thing. ‘Please, Lachie. I’m not the bad guy, so stop treating me like one.’ She was the victim here, not him. She gritted her teeth, making a conscious effort to remain as calm as she could. They’d argued until they were blue in the face the night before he’d headed off to Brisbane, and it hadn’t got them anywhere. Fighting would not change the fact he was the way he was. ‘Why does your mother think it’s all my fault that we don’t have any children?’
Lachlan glanced over his shoulder. ‘What are you on about?’
‘She said you told her it was me holding everything up, because I’m too stressed from work, and that was affecting my ability to fall pregnant.’
‘Oh, that,’ he said, chuckling as if it warranted such a flippant response. ‘Does it really matter what she thinks when you don’t like her anyway?’
‘Yes, Lachlan, it does matter.’
‘Why?’ he huffed, shaking his head.
‘Because it’s a blatant lie, that’s why, and your mother being the town gossip she is, she’ll be telling anyone and everyone your BS.’ She glared at his back, his ignorance adding more fuel to the fire. ‘You’re the one who refuses to go to the doctor and get checked so we can work out why we’re having trouble, not me.’
‘Damn straight I don’t want to go. There’s nothing wrong with me.’
‘How are you so damn sure?’ she demanded, knowing full well he was stating her body must be the defective one. Nothing was ever his fault.
His shoulders lifted a little. ‘I just know, Juliette.’ He blew a breath. ‘So, what do you want me to do about my mother?’ Still not looking at her, his spoon clanged loudly as he stirred his coffee. Black, no sugar. Hard and bitter, just like him.
‘How about you do the right thing and tell her and your father the truth? And not only the half-truth, Lachlan. I think you should tell them all of it.’
‘My parents know,’ Lachlan replied simply. ‘They were the ones who made a pact with your stepfather to get you to marry me, for the sake of the family name and to curb my immoral ways.’ She could hear the smirk in his voice. ‘You know how Mum and Dad live by the word of the Bible. They’ve warned they’ll disinherit me if word ever gets out.’
His words punched her in the chest so hard it stole her breath. ‘You’re lying.’
‘If only,’ he replied. ‘The house your mother and Malcolm live in and the land they call home? That was an enticement from my father. Malcolm promised your hand in marriage. All you needed to do was be a good wife and give me an heir. Looks like that’s not going to happen now you decided to snoop where you shouldn’t have been snooping.’ He turned to face her now, spite written across his face.
She considered him, eyes wide, her mind reeling out of control. ‘Does my mother know?’ She almost fell to her knees, the hatred she already harboured towards her stepfather growing exponentially.
He shrugged again. ‘Not sure.’
Oh god, no. If her mother knew, she wouldn’t survive, it would crush her … Juliette bit back a flood of tears. She was not going to cry in front of Lachlan. The cold-hearted bastard didn’t deserve to witness her heartache. ‘I want a divorce.’
His expression spoke of how unreasonable he thought she was being. ‘You’re really going to ask me to do this now, right on the cusp of the election?’ It was said without emotion.
‘Yes, I am.’ She dropped her head into her hands and took a moment to gather herself. The thought of divorce was terrifying, as much as she wanted out of this sham marriage. ‘You can’t expect me to stick around and live this lie, Lachlan. I deserve better.’
‘With the cushy life you get to live being Mrs Davis, you’re just being damn ungrateful and selfish.’ His steely eyes bore into her, digging the dagger deeper.
Juliette couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Slowly, she shook her head, choking back one sob after another. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought she’d be in a situation like this.
He regarded her with narrowing eyes. ‘Does this sudden change of heart have anything to do with the fact your ex
is back in town?’
‘What?’ She shook her head determinedly. ‘No, of course it doesn’t.’
‘I don’t believe you.’ He sneered. ‘I’m not going to be made a mockery of by my wife running off with some stupid childhood crush and blaming our failed marriage on me.’
Gobsmacked, Juliette regarded him. ‘It is your fault our marriage has failed.’
He kept his resolute gaze locked onto hers. ‘Maybe, but that part is going to be our dirty little secret, Juliette, because if you ruin my inheritance by blabbing, I’ll be sure to make your life very difficult.’
With nowhere to turn, Juliette gave up the fight. She didn’t love this man anymore. How could she? ‘It’s so typical of you to not take responsibility for your actions.’ She thanked god he didn’t know that Zoe had been waiting in the car for her that day. ‘Everyone around you has to suffer just so you get to live your lie.’
‘If you want to get out of this marriage, do it silently. That’s all I have to say to you.’
Her disappointment in him, as a man and as her husband, overshadowed her anger. He clearly was never going to change, and she wasn’t going to waste her time trying to force him to. ‘I honestly don’t know who you are anymore.’
‘I don’t think you ever did,’ Lachlan replied in a monotone before raising his cup to his lips. ‘Nobody does, except Roberto.’
‘Please don’t speak your boyfriend’s name in front of me.’ The tears tumbled now and she let them fall freely. ‘All I ever wanted was to settle down and have a family. It isn’t my fault that this hasn’t worked out.’
‘I know that. You know that. But not everyone else has to.’ With not an ounce of repentance or compassion in his voice, it was all business for him. ‘I can’t change who I am, nor do I want to. I stupidly thought I could, when I married you, which was my parents’ and your stepfather’s plan, but this has proved otherwise. It’s up to you. If you want to stay, we can try to make it work. In separate rooms, of course.’ He finally took a step towards her, his expression softening just a little. ‘I’ll even stick with the ovulation days and try and give you what you want, Juliette. You could have a child. You could be happy. And I’ll make sure you’re paid a weekly allowance for sticking by me.’
Juliette reflexively took a step back. ‘Have you totally lost your mind?’
‘No. I’m just trying to make the best of an awful situation.’
What he was asking of her was a jail sentence. A life to suit him, where he could pretend to be someone he wasn’t, to save face, to become the mayor of Little Heart, to inherit? She’d been a hopeless romantic ever since she could remember – a life without true love was not on her agenda. Clearing her throat, she looked to the ceiling, taking a few moments to wipe at her tears. She had no words, no words at all.
‘Look, I know you loathe me right now, but will you at least consider my generous offer?’
Lachlan had sold himself out for the love of money and power, so it was no wonder he expected her to play a part in this too. But she wasn’t about to sell her soul to the devil, especially for Lachlan’s lies. She felt so much hatred for him right now that she couldn’t even stand to look at him. ‘I’m going for a ride,’ she growled, then turned and headed out of the homestead.
CHAPTER
10
Her heart as heavy as stone, Juliette drove her trusty Holden Ute at snail’s pace down the earthen track. She couldn’t believe Malcolm had basically sold her for a house. But, then again, she shouldn’t be surprised – he’d always been a selfish bastard. As for Ron and Margery, she wasn’t shocked at their knowledge, or the part they’d played in covering up who their son really was. She just prayed to god her mother was none the wiser. It would kill her if she found out she’d been in on the sick plan too. Her instincts told her she hadn’t been, and she had to trust in that. There was no way to ask without revealing what Lachlan had done. Just another secret she was going to have to lumber through her life.
Ignoring the monstrosity that was her in-laws’ recently built seven-bedroom house, she passed the huge training arena before reaching the agistment paddocks. Gazing out her window at pristine white fences surrounding each of the neatly divided paddocks, a wistful sigh escaped her. As much as she loathed the greediness bred by money in the hands of the wrong kind of people, she had to admit, this place was her kind of heaven. Prized buckskins, chestnuts, bays, paints, palominos, and an Arabian stallion that was way too bossy for his boots, raised their heads to watch her amble past before dropping their muzzles back to the lush grass. Her horse, Warrior, was nothing like these expensive horses, all sleek and glossy like movie stars. Warrior was rough around the edges, a bit of a klutz at times, and had only cost her three hundred bucks, but he was worth more than gold.
After parking in front of the impressive stables, the door of the ute creaked as she pushed it open with the toe of her boot. Gravel crunching underfoot, she headed to where she kept her beloved horse, one Lachlan was none too keen on because Warrior wasn’t bred from a proven bloodline. She didn’t give two hoots, preferring the underdog to pretentiousness any day. Especially today. Horses in the stalls swivelled their ears in interest as she wandered past, and she nodded to the stable hands, busy mucking stalls, cleaning tack and grooming horses. She knew them all by name and made sure to say a quick g’day to each as she passed.
‘Hey, Juliette, how goes it?’ A familiar voice had her pausing at the second-last stall and gazing at a lanky bloke dressed in his favourite outfit – jeans, a Bonds singlet, a flanny and timeworn Blundstone boots.
‘Hey there, Jimbo.’ She smiled at the middle-aged guy brushing down her father-in-law’s prized stallion. She hoped Ron Davis wasn’t planning on going for a ride soon. She didn’t feel like playing nice if she ran into him. ‘I haven’t seen you in a few weeks, have you been on holidays?’
‘Nah, I had to have an emergency op to get some gallstones out. The bastards hurt like hell, I tell you. I’m usually a tough old bastard, but I thought I was on the way out when the pain started.’ He flashed her a gappy smile, his two front teeth knocked out by a rogue wild horse a few years back. Claiming it gave him character, he hadn’t been bothered with a trip to the dentist. ‘I was dead-set fishing in the tinnie out in the middle of Woop Woop, minding my own business, when the pain hit me like a tonne of bricks.’ He grabbed his side and grimaced, as if the torture was still there. ‘I’ve never hoiked it to the hospital as fast as I did that night. I didn’t know my old truck had it in her to drive like a bat outta hell.’
Juliette matched his grimace. ‘Oh, ouch, you poor bugger.’
‘Ah, I’m all good now. It’ll take more than that to stop this old bloke.’ He shrugged, chuckling. ‘Anyways, enough about me. How are you going, pretty little lady?’
‘Oh, you know, Jimbo, getting there.’
‘Yeah, I know all about getting there. Would be good to get to wherever we’re supposed to be getting to, though, one of these days.’ He chuckled even louder this time.
Juliette grinned. It was nice to be in genuine, friendly company. ‘You got that right, mate.’
A fly buzzing in his face, Jimbo performed the Aussie salute. ‘Bugger off, you little bastard.’
‘Fair enough, then. No need to get snappy,’ she said cheekily.
‘Ha ha, as if I’d talk to a lady like that, especially one as fine and beautiful as you.’
Juliette couldn’t help but laugh. ‘You’re a charmer, Jimbo, I’ll give you that.’
‘Why thank ya, I try to be on my best behaviour with the ladyfolk,’ he said, grinning playfully as he bent and picked up the horse’s back leg, checking its shoes. ‘And speaking of charming, is that husband of yours making more of an effort to spend a bit more time with you?’
Frustration and hurt crinkled her eyes. ‘Things are still pretty much the same. Too busy focusing on the election to focus on me.’ Jimbo didn’t know the half of it, and Juliette wasn’t about to fill him in, but sh
e appreciated his concern.
With a loud huff, Jimbo paused and offered her a look of sympathy. ‘I’m sorry to hear that, Juliette. He needs his head read, not wanting to spend as much time with you as he can.’ He pointed the hoof pick in her direction. ‘You deserve much better, but you know that, right?’
She’d heard that one quite a few times this past week, from Zoe, and in her own head. ‘Shush.’ She held a finger to her lips. Margery and Ronald Davis were not the most kind-hearted of employers. ‘You never know who’s listening.’
‘Yeah, true, hey?’ Jimbo looked left to right, scowling. ‘It just gets me so worked up, seeing you so sad all the time.’
She blinked owlishly. ‘I’m not sad all the time.’
‘Yeah, you are.’
Letting Jimbo’s words sink in, Juliette sucked in a breath. ‘It’s that obvious, huh?’
‘Yup, at least to the people who care about you.’ His bushy brows met in the middle, and he took steps towards her.
‘And here I’d been thinking I was doing a pretty good job of hiding it,’ she choked out.
From the other side of the railings, Jimbo gave the arm she had resting on the top railing a reassuring tap. ‘Try and keep your chin up, okay? You may not be able to see the forest for the trees right now, but things will work out. They always do, one way or another. Sometimes even better than we ever thought they could.’
