Page 35 of Insidious

Her eyes are already glassy, shiny with unshed tears. I feel nothing, only regret for that fleeting moment when I thought of reaching out to her for comfort. But I think of her as a friend, and only that. I only love Luna. When I know this, why did I type that message …

“Go away.” I say, my voice not bearing a hint of unsteadiness. I wish I had put this boundary in place before it all imploded.

Her face crumples slightly. She nods.

“Okay,” Chloe says quietly. “I’ll … I’ll leave.”

She turns and walks away.

Chapter 8

Luna

The silence she leaves behind is louder than words.

“Isaac …” my mother says, her voice low, upset. “What are you doing?”

I don’t answer her for a moment.

Because I need to explain things I should have a long time ago. I just … haven’t wanted to. I haven’t wanted to tear away the version of Chloe she holds so close to her heart—the girl she calls the daughter she never had.

After the divorce, she called Chloe and told her that she would always be her daughter, even if she wasn’t her daughter-in-law anymore.

And I let it happen. At the time, my ex was moving to Franc and I was just relieved she was leaving. Relieved I didn’t have to deal with any of it. I thought at least Mom could keep her illusions about Chloe.

I should have come clean then.

I look at Lily. She meets my gaze immediately.

“Come, Mum. You, too, Lily,” I say, pushing myself to my feet. “Let’s go in there. There is something I need to tell you.”

I nod towards the quieter side room near the unit.

Mum stands up immediately, confusion etched across her face.

I take Amelie from Lily. She settles against me easily, warm and soft and impossibly small. For a moment, I just … look at her. Her eyes are open, more focused than before.

Bright and watching me. She looks more and more like Luna every day.

The shape of her mouth. That stubborn chin. My chest feels full. I exhale slowly, rocking her gently, trying to steady myself before I speak.

Mum is watching me like she doesn’t know me. I have never spoken to her like this before. So, I look at Lily.

“Chloe and I …” I start, my voice rough, before clearing my throat and trying again. “We were friends. Best friends. Always together. She lived next door since she was eight.”

Lily nods.

“But we were never together. I know what she let you believe when we got married. It’s not true,” I say, turning to Mum.

She frowns slightly. “What do you mean?”

“It was a story,” I say simply. “And I let her tell it.”

I shift Amelie slightly in my arms.

“I got flat-out drunk one night in Uni,” I say. “Woke up the next morning with her naked in my bed. I didn’t remember a thing. She told me she was a virgin.” My jaw clenches at the memory. “I found out later that was a lie.”

Mum’s face has gone still.