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I asked the driver to drop me off right outside my flat. I ran upstairs, knowing that Veronica was home, and dropped the suitcase on the bed. From the moment I switched on my phone, I’d received countless messages from my parents and other concerned friends.
But now that I was alone, I broke down and cried my heart out.
I cried and cried until there were no more tears left.
Veronica burst into my bedroom when I was wiping my face, trying to get a grip.
“Laura, oh my goodness, what’s the matter? I saw what happened and I’m so glad you’re home, thank God,” Veronica said.
She cradled a mug of tea. “Oh dear, sweetie, you’re really not okay.” Sitting on the bed next to me, she pulled my head gently onto her shoulder. “Please don’t cry, baby. Everything is going to be all right.”
When Spencer had told me about Samantha, I’d called Veronica immediately, dropping this bomb on her. She couldn’t believe it herself, but after everything that had happened, it made sense. We’d talked on the phone for an hour, trying to figure out what to do next, because I really wanted to speak to Samantha. I needed to know why she’d pushed me into Spencer’s life and when she had actually found out about me.
“He didn’t believe me, not at all, and I’m not surprised, but I'm shocked that he had such a low opinion about me,” I said.
“Spencer Banks is an arsehole. He doesn’t deserve you, and the sooner he realises the better,” she said.
I wanted to cry harder, but what was the point? I had to be positive.
“I think I should talk to Rupert.”
“No, please, Veronica, don’t talk to anyone. All the evidence is there, and I just need some time to figure out what to do next for the best. It’s not worth it. Spencer hurt me, but he will destroy Maja, because this will break her little heart. She wanted me to be her mother, and now I won’t be able to even see her.”
“All right, don’t worry, I won’t talk to anyone, but I'll help you. We will clear your name together and figure out who framed you.” She allowed her warmth to seep into my cold bones. “I’ll make you a mug of hot cocoa. That always cheers you up. Extra marshmallows.”
“Why would anyone hate me that much, Veronica? There’s two hundred grand in my account, and someone sent that picture of us in Sicily to my phone last night before it went to the media.” I told her what she already knew, because I couldn’t stop talking about this. Spencer had fired me like I meant nothing to him, and this hurt so damn much.
She rubbed my back, her hands moving in slow circles, and I had to admit, on some level it was quite soothing.
“I don’t have any answers right now, but I promise that we will figure it out together. How about that hot drink first? If that arsehole really believes you would do something like this, then he's not worth your time. He’s never been worth it.” She squeezed my arm.
I didn’t respond, but she was right. I was in love with him, but he was never worthy of this love—ever.
Chapter Forty-Two
Spencer
I watched her leave, and my heart turned to stone. It was pounding, and my palms were damp with sweat.
I stood in my kitchen, holding a cup of tea in my hand, although I was ready to down a whole bottle of scotch. My heart fucking burned, and the pain was spreading. We were done, and she was never coming back. I had no fucking idea how I was going to break the news to Maja.
I had never felt more distraught and let down than I did in that moment. It took me a while to get to a point where I could face others. I should be trained for this in my position, but nothing had prepared me for what had happened.
When I was somewhat ready, I headed over to Maja’s room, knowing that my own daughter was going to hate me for it. Laura was her aunt, and maybe at some point in the future I would allow them to see each other again, but not over the next few days or maybe even weeks. Laura had betrayed me, and I didn’t want to be associated with her any longer.
Maja was on her iPad when I walked in, but she instantly put it down, frowning.
“Where is Laura?”
I sat on her bed, not even knowing where to start. Maja was smart, but I couldn’t tell her what had happened, especially since she’d bonded with Laura so well over the past few months.
“I asked her to leave, because she has betrayed my trust and she's not coming back.” I got straight to the point.
Maja jumped off the bed, staring at me with her eyes wide.
“No, Dad, you can’t, Laura is the best nanny that I ever had, you have to bring her back, right now!” Maja folded her arms and was quite angry.
I wasn’t really sure what to say next.
