Mr. Masters (Mr. 1)

“This is the best school in England. I want her to go there.”

“Why?” I scowl. “So you have bragging rights? It’s the best school with the meanest girls.” I throw my hands up in the air. “The best school means nothing if she is fucking miserable and depressed.”

“She needs to learn to toughen up.”

“You have got to be joking?”

“The world isn’t all hearts and flowers, Brielle.”

“You think she doesn’t know that?” I lose my temper. “Growing up without a mother isn’t exactly hearts and flowers, Julian.” His eyes fall to the table.

“She can’t go back to that school. Over my dead body is she going back to that school.”

“This isn’t your decision,” he says, his voice rising in anger.

“I don’t believe you. Is your head stuck that far up your own ass that you can’t see the wood for the trees? Money means jack shit if you’re miserable, Julian.”

He stands abruptly. “Don’t you think I know that?” he growls. “I, more than anyone, know that.” He shakes his head. “This is none of your business.”

“None of my business.” I throw up my hands in despair. “What the hell am I doing here then if Willow is none of my business?”

“Making my life fucking difficult.

My eyes fill with tears. “You’re really going to make her go back there?”

“Yes.” He lifts his chin defiantly. “She can have the rest of the week off until police find whoever was responsible and press charges. Then she is going back to that school.”

I shake my head in disgust. “You poor, delusional man. You think that the police are going to change anything? You think that the school are going to change anything? They don’t give a fuck, Julian. The whole system is about protecting the criminals. You know that more than anyone. You’re a fucking judge for, Christ’s sake. A criminal gets bashed in prison and the whole world is up in arms.”

He glares at me.

“What about the ten children he raped before he was sent to prison? Nobody hears about the silent victims, do they? You only hear about the criminals. The wh

ole judicial system is geared towards saving them. Schools, the law, you fucking name it.” I shake my head as angry tears fill my eyes. “It’s all about protecting them, protecting their privacy and reputation, making sure they get counselling.” I swipe a stray tear away. “Well, I’m not letting her become another statistic just because you’re that much of a fucking snob.”

“You have no say in this. You are not her fucking mother!” he growls in my face.

“I’m the closest thing she’s got to one and I’m choosing to defend her like you should be.”

He steps back from me, contempt seeping from his every pore. “She is my child and I will not have you telling me how to bring her up. How dare you fight with me over this?”

“I promised you I would always put the children first,” I counter.

“Over me?” he cries. “You’re putting her over our relationship?”

“Yes, and you can hate me all you want for it. My loyalties lie with Willow and what is going to make her the happiest she can be.” The tears roll down my face. “Whatever path she chooses to take, I will be behind her one-hundred percent.”

“Then you’ll be on your fucking own.” He growls. “Parenting isn’t a popularity contest, Brielle. It’s about making the hardest decisions.” He slams his hand onto the bench. “The right decisions. I’ve looked after her for the last sixteen years, and it will be me who looks after her for the next sixteen. This has nothing to do with you!” he yells, losing complete control.

“Dear God, Julian. What’s going on?” Frances whispers as she walks into the room. “Why are you speaking to Brielle like that?”

I swipe the angry tears from my eyes and drop my head.

“What’s going on, son?” Joseph asks.

Sammy floats into the room, his face immediately falling when he sees me in tears. “What’s wrong, Brelly?”

“Nothing, baby, I’m fine.” I force a smile. “Can you take Tillie outside for a walk, please?”