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Emma climbed onto the fence, sitting on top of it to face Alex. ‘Would you like to talk about it?’
She could tell his teeth were clenched behind his lips. That would be a no, then. ‘Whatever she says is a lie anyway. But I think your dad is amazing. And so are you.’
Alex still wasn’t looking at her.
‘You know, growing up, I wished that I had a father like yours,’ she told him. ‘I would read story books about earls and dukes and pretend the characters were my family. I’m not proud of it, but sometimes I wished that my dad would just go away. But then I’d realise what that would mean and I’d feel guilty.’
She watched the dogs run around and chase each other, oblivious to the cold.
‘It’s hard when you have to deal with parents like mine. And, of course, you can never say anything bad about it—not that you’d want to anyway. Everyone sees what you have—a big house and money—but they never see what you don’t have,’ she said sadly.
Alex was watching her carefully now. Silent.
‘And the biggest of that is faith. Faith that things will work out and be okay. For as long as I can remember my parents were at each other’s throats. They would bicker constantly. Sometimes I would put a pillow over my head to block them out, and then I asked to move my bedroom. It was quieter in the new room, even though it was the smallest room in the house. After that the affairs started. My father didn’t even bother trying to hide it. And I swore that would never be me.’
She looked at Alex, who held so much warmth and love in his eyes. And she wanted him to stop looking at her like that because he couldn’t ever be hers. But she wanted to get lost in those blue pools anyway.
She looked away. It was easier just to keep talking. And the rolling hills were a beautiful distraction.
‘It got a little better when Maddison was young, but we’re right back where we were again now. At least she has me. Lauren doesn’t seem to care as long as she and my father get their way. It’s a pretty sad way to live, don’t you think?’
Alex moved to stand between her legs. Holding on to her, he set her on her feet and pulled her against his body. Hugged her tightly. For a moment the place he stood in didn’t feel like a prison. For the first time it felt like home.
After the terror of his father’s heart attack, and days of constant worry, Alex didn’t have the strength in that moment to push Emma away. For just this one time he wanted to feel peace. It was as if his lifestyle of beautiful women and doing what he wanted when he wanted to, always the armour to protect himself, meant nothing. Could be cast away.
‘I’m sorry.’
It was all Alex could say, because it was true. He was sorry that she’d had to endure all that for so long. Sorry he hadn’t met her earlier. Sorry that she had to be strong out of necessity. Sorry that they couldn’t be more to each other.
‘You deserve better.’
‘So do you,’ Emma said, her voice muffled by his coat. ‘We should probably start making our way back.’
‘Yeah, we should.’
He whistled to the dogs, who walked beside the couple as Alex showed Emma around the estate. Through the stables, past the enormous garage, along the garden paths. She was delighted to see the maze and Alex walked her through it, having long ago figured out all the ways out.
When they got back to the house the dogs made a beeline for the fireplace, settling in front of the hearth. His father was seated in an armchair, waiting for their arrival.
‘Alex, I want you to go back to London,’ he said, when the two of them had settled down. ‘I appreciate all you’re doing, son, and I’m willing to do as you ask. But for me to relax, I need you to be close to the company.’
‘Dad...’
‘I already know everything you’re going to say, but I’m being well taken care of here.’
‘Robert, we just want to make sure your recovery goes well,’ Emma said.
‘My dear, I know that. But I also know my son hates it here. He needs the city, and the company needs him there. If you want me to be stress-free, you’ll go back.’
Alex laughed. He knew there was no point arguing with the man. ‘We’ll leave tomorrow—but we will be back before we return to Melbourne.’
‘Lovely.’
‘And remember, everyone is reporting to me...so I’ll know what’s going on here,’ Alex said sternly.
‘I’d expect nothing less, son.’
Emma and Alex spent all the time they could with his father that evening. Stories were told of what their lives had been like over the years, and Emma found out that Robert had always been a stern and imposing man, but had loosened up considerably when Alex took the reins at the company.
