I nodded, smiled, then turned away.

Richard was waiting for me on the footpath, staring at the ground with his hands in his trouser pockets. When he saw me, he looked up. “So we have a deal? You’re not going to tell him?” His voice was even, but his face was pale.

“No. He needs to focus on looking after her for now.” I looked at my ex-boyfriend with disdain. His primary concern was always himself.

“I hear that bartending lowlife thug nearly lost his first fight because of you.”

My blood ran cold. “How would you know that?”

“Your mother. She knows where you are at all times. It’s become an obsession.”

“For how long?” I was seething.

“Ever since the Yarra Valley function when you stepped out of line and she saw the way you looked at the bartender. She freaked out and I had to console her in the middle of the night to stop her drinking herself into a stupor.”

“Are you serious?”

“She’s had you followed ever since, and let’s just say she’s pissed. I’m pretty sure she’s been doing background checks on what’s-his-name.”

“Leo. His name is Leo. She’s not pissed. She’s just lost touch with reality.”

“Whatever, Juliette. I don’t actually care anymore. That charity is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to me and keeps me at the top of the adviser rankings. As long as I hold on to that, I don’t give a shit about you or your crazy family.”

“Trust me, Dick. I got that already.”

I went home feeling lighter in some ways and heavier in others. I could’ve ended up married to Richard and worn a mask for the rest of my life. And worse, Mum wouldn’t be getting the help she needed.

Knowing my mother had suffered in virtual silence for thirty-five years opened a whole new wound in my heart that I hoped would heal alongside hers.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Leo

I’d been at the farm all week working on the stone wall, fighting to keep the constant flow of memories and regrets at bay. Stonemasonry had been my family’s business for generations, and I’d worked alongside my dad during school holidays to earn some cash. He hoped I’d join the Ashlar & Son stonemasonry business when I finished school. The ‘& Son’ part hadn’t been the case since my grandfather died a decade ago. I wanted to be a doctor and I’d studied damn hard to ensure I could follow that path. When I graduated from high school, Dad presented me with a shiny new sign for the business, hoping to change my mind. When I’d told him thanks but no thanks, he had respected my decision. Both he and Mum had given me their blessing to follow my own dream, but to this day I wish I’d followed his instead.

Angus and I had accepted places at the University of Melbourne and shared a flat in St Kilda—the same one I still lived in. Angus had wanted to work in finance, so he was doing a Business Economics degree and I was studying day and night to be a doctor. I’d been living the dream until the day my whole world turned into one big fucking nightmare.

By Thursday evening, a shift at the bar was a welcome distraction. It was quieter and more relaxed on a weekday evening, and I found myself humming along to the music, again playing backup to the movies on the walls. Everything reminded me of her. When I’m Every Woman came on, I glanced towards the door, hoping she’d walk through it. I set about stacking the glass washer and refilling the bowls of nuts on the bar. When my shift ended at eleven, I was pretty gutted she hadn’t shown up.

“I might have more work for you if you’re interested,” Adriana said as I pulled my helmet, wallet and keys from my locker in the staff room.

“Yeah, I’m interested. That’d be great.” I needed some extra income if I was going to do more work on the house.

“Okay. Tony just gave me his notice, so you can take over his shifts in a couple of weeks.”

I scrunched my face up, knowing I would have to say no. I closed the locker door and turned to face her. “Tony’s on the door, not the bar.”

“No one’s going to mess with you, Leo. Trust me. That’s all the experience you need.” She had misunderstood my concern and slapped me on the shoulder, laughing.

“I’d prefer to stick to the bar if that’s okay?”

“Let me know if you change your mind.” Shrugging her shoulders, she left the room.

I hit the voicemail button on my phone. Juliette had left a message probably with the reason why she couldn’t make it.

Adrenaline surged through me as I listened. It was confusing and a little horrifying. It was a long pause followed by her voice repeating the word ‘no’. She sounded traumatised by something.

What the fuck?

I bolted out of the bar and sprinted up the alleyway to my bike with my phone to my ear.

“Hello.” Her croaky voice answered. I was relieved to hear it.

“Juliette. God. Where are you? I just got your message. Are you okay?”

“Leo. I’m sorry, Leo.” She sounded like she might be crying, and my desire to have my arms firmly around her was excruciating. “I called before… I’m sorry I didn’t leave a message.”

“Please don’t apologise. Where are you?”

“I’m at home.”

“I can be there in five minutes.”

“Joel will buzz you up and I’ll leave my door open.”

I rode dangerously fast. My mind was focused on her voice. She sounded desperate and broken. If anyone had hurt her, they were going to pay. I nearly toppled the Ducati sideways when I pulled up outside her building.

When I entered her apartment, I immediately heard her sobbing on the lounge.

“Jules.” I announced my presence as I didn’t want to startle her.

She sat up so I could see her and I immediately rushed forward. Her face was red and puffy, but she was still breathtakingly beautiful. I sat down next to her and pulled her onto my lap, hugging her close to my body. Her arms wrapped around my neck and she buried her face in the crook of my neck. I could feel her body begin to relax and the sobs subsided.

“What happened, Jules?” I whispered into her hair. “Did someone hurt you?” I clenched my teeth waiting for her response, knowing if they had, I’d hunt them down and kill them.

She shook her head against me then sat up and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “Not physically.”

“What does that mean?” I was seething. From the beginning, my instinct had always been to protect her.

“I’m sorry, Leo.”

“What? No. Stop apologising.” She wouldn’t look at me, so I cupped her chin and forced her eyes to mine. “What happened?”

“I don’t really feel up to talking about it at the moment.” She tightened her arms around me. “Can you just hold me for a while?”

I kissed her head. “I’m glad you called me.” I hesitated before continuing. “I missed you this week.”

“God, Leo. My life is such a mess.” She sat up and ran her hands through her hair and appeared defeated. “I don’t want to drag you down.”

I waited until she looked at me. “Life can be messy, Jules. I know all about messy and how angry, bitter and alone it can make you feel.” I stroked her cheek with the back of my hand and stared into her beautiful navy eyes. “But this right here.” I gestured between the two of us. “This feels like the most pure and honest thing I’ve felt in a really long time, and I think you feel it too.” I took hold of both her hands and brought them to my lips, kissing her fingers.

She gasped and her eyes glazed, but she didn’t interject.

“You’re a strong and beautiful woman. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Don’t let anyone or anything take that away from you.”

Juliette leaned in and pressed her lips against mine. I wanted to devour her, but I needed her to take the lead here until I had a better idea of what was going on. I needed to know who or what had upset her.

“Thank you,” she whispered against my mouth. “Can you stay? I don’t really want to be alone tonight.”