Page 98 of The Forbidden Fling

Molly snapped. “Do you know how frustrating it is to be kept in the dark about these things? Don’t you think I deserve to know, so I can make my own mind up?”

“You do. But I was doing my best to protect you. I never want to see you hurt.”

Molly sighed, putting her head in her hands. “It’s quite a surprise to find out both my parents are set on lying to me about everything my entire life.”

Diana looked at her daughter and started to piece things together. “Is that why you’re at Grandad’s? Are you staying here?”

“Just temporarily. I needed space to think.”

She nodded. Pleased that, if nothing else, she’d raised a daughter who could think for herself. She’d been so worried about what direction her life was going to take, but she should’ve had more faith in her. Any person with half of Diana’s DNA was bound to carve their own path. Molly was going to be fine.

She sighed. “I really am sorry, love. For everything.”

Molly’s blue eyes met hers, softening. “I know.”

She breathed out a sigh of relief, and something shifted in the space between them. Like a fresh breeze through an open window, clearing all the heavy air.

“Did you receive the wedding invite?” Molly asked.

Her heart squeezed again. “Yes.”

“Are you going to go?”

“No. Like I said, it’s over. It’s best to focus on my new start here.”

To her surprise, Molly frowned. “You should go.”

“What?” Is this a test?

Molly released a long, annoyed sigh. “Mum. You’re one of the smartest people I know, but sometimes you’re so dumb.”

When Diana continued to look back at her, completely dumbfounded, Molly continued, “Look, I admit the idea of you shacking up with Faye wasn’t on my list of top 100 moments, but, contrary to popular belief, I’m not stupid.”

“Molly, I know you’re not stupid, but—”

“But what?”

“But nothing can happen between Faye and me. I won’t let anything jeopardise our relationship again.”

Molly’s brows pulled together. If this were a test, Diana was sure she’d get an F. “You said no more lies, Mum. But you’re still lying to yourself.”

Diana blinked, unsure if the words she was hearing were real or if she was still in a hypnotic state, standing outside on the street, imagining this whole conversation.

“This holiday ended in a shit show, alright,” Molly said, “but you were different. You’ve always been so uptight, career-focused, but on the island, you were happy. Fun. I liked that side of you.” She tilted her head. “Dad moved on, so why haven’t you?”

Of all the lines of questioning, Diana hadn’t expected this one. “I have moved on. I haven’t had any feelings for your dad in a long time.”

“I mean, why haven’t you found someone else?”

She sucked in a breath. “I…just haven’t wanted to. I wasn’t ready.”

“And what about now?”

She looked at her daughter then, her face serious, eyes assessing. “Molly…”

“What?”

“Isn’t it a little unusual to discuss this with you?”