The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine

Author:Liv Constantine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2020-05-18T16:00:00+00:00

30

Joanna

I wanted to go over to the house and try to talk reason into Leo, to make him understand that I needed the children and they needed me. But Janice promised me she’d look into some other options and she convinced me that by going over to the house I’d be jeopardizing my chances of ever seeing the children again. And I’m sure that that’s exactly what Piper would want me to do. I debated going to Leo with what I’d found out about Piper from Ava, but I worried Piper would just come up with a good story. After all, if the authorities hadn’t found enough evidence to charge her with anything, it was unlikely that someone as completely under her spell as Leo would believe it.

Taking a sip of coffee, I heard my mother’s footsteps on the stairs and looked at my watch. Ten thirty. She had never been an early riser. I’d always gotten myself off to school, making my own breakfast and packing a lunch before catching the bus. Sometimes she was awake when I got home, but often she’d be napping because of her chronic fatigue. My father and I used to cook in the evenings when he wasn’t traveling, and I loved those times with him. He loved seafood and taught me how to butterfly shrimp, make a perfect pot of clam chowder, and fillet a fish. Sometimes, we’d make the fluffiest pancakes on Sunday mornings while Mom stayed in her room sleeping. But those times with him were too few and far between.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” I asked as she came into the room wrapped in a brown terry-cloth robe. Her leg was healed, but she still favored the other one.

“Terribly, as usual,” she replied. She plopped down opposite me on a leather chair whose stuffing was peeking through its cracks. “I know the doctor said I’m all better, but it still hurts. Stupid doctors. What do they know?”

“I’m sorry. Do you want to take some aspirin? That might help.”

She grunted. “Hmph. Nothing helps.”

“Can I get you some coffee?”

“Not yet. I just need to sit for a little.” She leaned against the back of the chair and eyed me. “So . . . what are your big plans for the day?”

“No plans. I’ve been feeling so sad this morning. I dreamed about Stelli and Evie last night. I miss them so much it hurts. I miss Leo, too, even though I know I shouldn’t.”

“I’m sorry that he’s keeping you from the kids. It’s heartless. But Leo only cares about what he wants. He’s selfish, just like all men. Just like your father.”

“Leo is not like him.”

“He doesn’t care about you. You need to face it, honey. He left you. Just like your father left us.” She rose heavily from the chair, shaking her head, and left me to sit and brood. Her words made me think back to my high school graduation day, when Mom and Dad were both happy, and even seemed to be getting along for a change.

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