“It’s a load of pish,” I said. “They just want someone to blame, and Jessica’s not around, so you’re the easiest target. Besides, those hacks are just shouting out whatever they think will get you to react.”
“Doesn’t stop those questions from being the loudest in every room.”
“I’m sorry,” was all I could say. I’d dealt with my own bit of bad press when that property contract fell through all those months ago, but that in no way compared to how Alistair had beenhounded by the media and picked apart. I didn’t know what would help him. I got the sense that he wanted to escape from it all, but while he was more than welcome to stay with me, I wasn’t sure it would help. Edinburgh was smaller than London. Quieter. But it was still a city with media outlets. The press would follow him here.
Besides, Alistair didn’t need my help if he wanted to disappear. He had the means to do that. I suspected the thing holding him back was not wanting to uproot Kenna from the life she knew. “Maybe the best thing you can do is just ride it out. Now that the trial is over, the press will get bored. They’ll have to go chase another story.”
“I don’t know if theyaregoing to get bored,” Alistair said. I could hear the exhaustion in his voice. “I’ve been getting angry letters and emails and threats from people for months. Strangers see me out in public and shout nasty things from the street.” I heard his sharp exhale. “As upset as people seem to be about the verdict, I worry things are just going to get worse.”
It was appalling to think so many people were furious with Alistair for…what? Taking care of the mother of his child? What did they think heshouldhave done? He had no idea she’d been manipulating him or planning to steal from his company. I ran my hand through my hair. “Maybe you need to beef up your security for a while. Increase their presence at the office.”
“I’m not worried about me,” he said. “I’m so numb to the abuse at this point. But I am worried about Kenna.”
“Do you think she really understands what’s going on?”
“I know most of it goes over her head,” Alistair admitted. “But not all of it. She knows when people are angry, and she can feelhow stressed I’ve been. She’s already started reacting to that.” He groaned. “I feel horrible, but I haven’t even wanted the nanny to leave the flat with her. I’m worried some asshole paparazzi is going to figure out who she is and terrify her. That’s the last thing I’d ever want. Kenna shouldn’t suffer because of the mistakes I’ve made.”
The mistake of opening his heart, I thought.
“Would a visit from Uncle Locke help?” I asked. Maybe hanging out with Alistair and Kenna for a while would keep me from thinking about Isla constantly. Now that the anger and the frustration had subsided, all I could do was keep reliving that conversation at the inn. I played it over in my mind, picking apart our words, still unclear on how it had all fallen apart.
“You know Kenna would never say no to a visit,” Alistair said, breaking me from my thoughts.
“All right then,” I said. “I can hang with the kid while you sort things with the board. I’m sure there’s a lot to catch up on.” There was silence on the other end of the line. “Alistair?”
He hummed uncertainly. “I don’t think it’s tenable to stay at the company any longer.”
What the hell? I jumped to my feet, pacing to my office door and back. It washiscompany! He was the founder, and it was his hard work and dedication that had led it to become such a success.
“Isn’t that being a little rash?” I said. “You’ve only just finished the trial.”
“Honestly,” he said. “I’ve felt this decision coming for a while now. With everything that’s gone on, there’s just no trust there.The courts might have cleared me, but too many bridges have been burned. The board is desperate to be rid of me. The way I see it, I can either walk away with my head held high, or I can let them bully me out the door.”
“Christ,” I said, pausing and staring out the window into the cold, gray afternoon. I couldn’t even imagine being shoved out of my own company. “What are you going to do?”
“Resign my position, for starters,” he said, defeated. “And then…I’m not sure. I haven’t thought much past this moment. I’ve been so consumed with clearing my name. Only now that it’s happened, I feel even more trapped. All I know is there’s no easy way to change public opinion of me, and I can’t drag Kenna through an ongoing PR crisis.”
“If that’s what you think is best,” I said. “You know Weston and I are here to support you and Kenna. Whatever you need, just ask.”
“I don’t even know what that is right now.” He swore under his breath. “I can’t bloody believe I ended up here. That a simple little romance ended in all of this.”
That was how it went with love, though, wasn’t it? It started out so sweet and perfect, and yet it ended in loss and ruin. Again and again. I swallowed hard. “We’ll get you through this. Tell Kenna Uncle Locke is on his way.”
We hung up, and in that moment, I knew letting Isla go was the right decision. I’d be there to support our child, but I was better off without the rest of it. I couldn’t afford to make the same mistakes Alistair had.
25
ISLA
“You’ve really popped in the last week,” Cat said, checking over her shoulder as she changed lanes on the motorway. “Like you actually have a cute little bump now.”
I ran my hands over my belly in the passenger seat, finally able to cradle the bulge of my baby. “It happened overnight,” I said, laughing. “One second, I still fit into my jeans, and the next second—bam! Nothing but sweats for me. Maisie keeps asking me why I’m dressed like a rapper.”
“Yeah, I don’t think you’re going to be able to hide the pregnancy for much longer,” Cat admitted.
“I know,” I muttered. “Jo’s already sniffing around. I thought news of the breakup might keep her distracted for a while, butnope.” I tried not to let my thoughts linger on the breakup or Locke or any of it. This was supposed to be as stress-free a day as possible.
“Oooo,” Cat said brightly. “Does that mean we finally get to go maternity clothes shopping?” She changed lanes again, heading toward the next junction.
