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“Fine! Don’t forget our appointment in three days,” I said, reminding him.
Chance nodded seriously and studied me for a few more moments.
I sighed as he stepped back and shut the door. It didn’t matter how I acted; Chance still saw me as the broken girl suffering from PTSD. I wished Chance would open his eyes and see I was healing, but he seemed stuck in the past. Well, the session with Janet would be an eye-opener for him.
Driving home thoughtfully, I parked up before unloading the car.
Diesel and I had made huge roads into the matters that bothered us. Fortunately, Diesel seemed able to vocalise his emotions to me and vice versa. We were in a far better place than twenty-four hours ago. Our relationship was definitely healing, and that was all that mattered. Now, I had to regain the trust of everyone else, including my husband.
Lost in my thoughts, I unloaded the car, not seeing Chance arrive home or him watching me.
“What is all this?” Chance questioned, making me jump as he gazed around the garage.
“It’s the items for the raffles and tombolas,” I replied.
“When did you start collecting it?” Chance asked, sounding bemused.
“When I came up with the plan. Did you think I just announced it without planning? You’re wrong. I have been organising this for weeks. I’ve spoken to people in town, and all the stalls are sold out. People have donated prizes—and been generous. They’re looking forward to it, and most of the tickets online have sold. I kept a percentage back to sell on the day for the people who decide last minute to attend. And today, I went shopping with Diesel for the remaining prizes.”
“I didn’t know,” Chance muttered.
“Because you did not pay attention,” I retorted.
Guilt flashed across Chance’s face. “You’re spending a lot of time with Diesel,” he added without accusation.
“I’m making amends for how I acted towards him. Diesel and I are repairing our relationship, which is what I wanted,” I replied without rancour.
“That’s good,” Chance stated. An awkward moment passed between us. Neither of us knew what to say to one another.
“Daddy!” Lousia Mae screamed as she raced out of the house. Behind her chubby legs, moving as fast as they could go, came Dax. Behind them, walking more sedately, unsure of their welcome, were Oliva and Isla. Chance hit his knees as Louisa Mae tackled him with enthusiasm, followed by Dax.
Chance pretended to be knocked down by them and rolled around. His hand snuck out to grab Oliva and pull her into the fold, and she joined in cackling. Isla watched quietly. We knew not to be loud near her and startle her. But Isla was slowly coming around to having us about.
Even though Isla was three, we knew she remembered how Poppy had treated her. Her and Olivia’s speech was underdeveloped, and I was working hard to help them improve. For weeks, Isla had screamed when we bathed her, tearing at our nerves, but she was finally at the point where she’d sit quietly. Olivia bounced back a lot quicker. She loved to splash and play, but Isla kept a quiet watch over her sister.
It damn near broke my heart when I watched Isla sneak food off her plate and hide it away. A couple of times a week I’d go through her bedroom and find her hiding places and throw it out and replace with some unopened biscuits or crisps. If it helped her feel safe and not be afraid of being starved, then we’d do it as long as needed. I’d heard Isla at night asking Olivia if she was ‘ungry’ and Olivia telling her no. I think it puzzled Isla because, with that asshole Poppy, they must have always been hungry. Now they had full bellies. Isla couldn’t understand it, but she certainly expected it to be snatched away.
I was thankful Chance had managed to somehow legally adopt them. The details I didn’t need to be told. All I needed to know was they were ours, and nobody could take them. Isla also had issues understanding that the clothes and toys in her room were hers. At first, we’d had a struggle to separate the two sisters because even at three, Isla was prepared to defend Olivia. But we were finally settling into a sleep routine. Chance discovered that if Isla saw Olivia all tucked up warm and safe, then Isla would settle easier. But we left their doors open so they could hear each other.
A little hand touched mine, and I bent to be face-to-face with Isla.
“Daddy?” she questioned, and Chance stopped playing, receiving a whack from Dax.
“Yes, that’s your daddy,” I replied gently.
“No ’Oppy?”
“No, not Poppy. There is no more Poppy Isla. Just Mommy and Daddy now, and Louisa Mae and Dax,” I explained, hoping she’d understand.
“You Mommy?” Isla asked, tilting her little head. She was such a beautiful child, like Olivia.
“I’m your mommy,” I answered with a nod of my head.
“O’tay,” Isla replied and hugged me tightly.
I had tears in my eyes as I gripped her back. I wanted Poppy alive again so I could tear him to pieces myself. How dare he abuse such innocent little children?
Isla tore away from me and saw Chance watching her.
