Stanton Box Set

My eyes widen in horror.

She fakes a smile at me. “So you see, Natasha, Joshua was right. His mother is a dirty whore and now I have lost the husband that I do love and my four sons. My life is not worth living.”

I stand still as shock courses through me. Margaret’s the victim in all of this. It’s alwa

ys the ones who are so vulnerable that pretend to be so together. The best form of defence is attack. What do I do? Fuck… what do I do?

I watch her for a moment. I can’t leave her here like this. “Right.” I stand and go to the door and open it in a rush.

“Adrian, can you come in here please?” I ask.

He stands up from his seat in the hall and walks into the room.

“Can you help me pack Margaret’s things please?” I ask him as I close the door behind him.

His eyes hold mine for a moment and he nods. “Yes, of course.” He bends and starts to pick up her things and she shakes her head.

“Natasha, no. I’m staying here,” she answers defiantly.

“You are coming with me.” I point at her. “If you think for one minute I am going to let you be a victim to fucking James Brennan one more time you can think again.”

Adrian stops what he is doing and stares at me as he pieces the puzzle together. His eyes widen.

I bend and start to throw her things together and I point a hairbrush at her. “You are coming with me as a guest in my house and tomorrow we go to the police and that asshole is getting charged.”

She shakes her head. “He will kill me, Natasha.”

I shrug my shoulders. “You know what, I would rather take my chances on that than you take your own life through shame. If I leave you here tonight that’s exactly what you will do!” I shake my head angrily. “And I’m not having that on my conscience!” I yell.

“I’m ok,” she snaps.

“You are as far from ok as one could possibly get!” I scream as my anger erupts. This man has ruined her life. How dare he?

“If Adrian has to drag you kicking and screaming out of here he will,” I yell.

Her eyes flick to Adrian and he smirks and she smiles softly.

“Pack,” I yell.

Joshua

I stand in the kitchen as I make the coffee for everyone. Dad is in the kitchen and Cameron, Wilson and Scott are sitting on the lounge as we discuss the game.

I take out my phone and dial Natasha again.

“Hey.” She answers first ring.

“Where are you?” I frown. This is the third time I have called her. She should be here by now.

“I’m out the front—coming in now,” she replies.

“Ok.” I hang up.

I pass the coffees around and we sit and I yawn. I’m really tired.

Natasha walks in and smiles nervously.

“Here’s my girl.” I smile as I hold my hand out for her and she takes it and bends to kiss me softly on the cheek. My father smiles at our interaction. He adores Natasha.