"You’re the one who married me knowing what I had to do to get my MD. We agreed I would do what I had to, to get where I am today. If you couldn't handle the workload, you should have said so a long time ago."
"I was waiting to see if it got any better. You can't blame me."
"But I do. You see, Paula, I've always been the soft guy, the one who lets everyone else walk all over him just to keep the peace. I think you’ve cured me of that. From now on, I will take what I want. And what I want now is for you to sign the divorce papers or those photos will find themselves in the wrong hands, understand?"
"You bastard."
"I gave you everything bar my car and my clothes. I think you've done very well out of the deal."
"But I wanted more. I want to live in that big house with servants just as you did when you were growing up. You can't take that away from me, I won't let you."
He laughed, a sound that freed him from the tension this woman had caused him. "The funniest thing about this? I don't own it. My father saw to it that it remains in a family trust forever. None of us can sell it or give it away. So you lose out, Paula. I suggest you take what you've already got and go. I want those papers signed by tomorrow night or the photos go to interested parties. Your solicitor has all the details of your infidelity too, just for your information."
He walked to the door and left, slamming it behind him. Photos, good move, Russ. He had proof she was playing around but nothing to back it up, not that she knew that. Relieved beyond measure, he got in his car and headed home.
Chapter 31
Cade stood outside with Kate and watched Stevie drive around to the front of the house. He’d told Tam the barest of details of how her mother had been hurt. She stood, holding onto his hand as the car pulled up.
"Mummy." She let go of his hand and raced over to the police car grabbing at the door handle.
Rooney opened the door and reached for her daughter. "Hey, Tam. I'm okay, don't worry."
"I know. Uncle Cade told me Daddy saved you and Uncle Russ sewed you up all good as new." She looked at the bandage covering the stitches on Rooney's throat. "Does it hurt?"
"Not really. It's a little bit numb still. Have you done your homework?"
Stevie came around and helped her from the car and Cade marvelled at the connection they still had after all the years apart and the pain from the secret they hadn’t shared. Tam skipped ahead of them. "Yes, Uncle Cade made me read my books to him."
"Thanks, I appreciate it, brother." Rooney winced when she turned her head.
"Is there anything I can do?" He followed them through the house and into the front room where Stevie set her on a chair with her feet up before heading into the kitchen to make her a cup of tea.
"Not now, thanks. I need to rest up for a couple of days or Russ will have my hide." She tried to smile and Cade saw the anguish behind her pale blue eyes. "I'll go and help make you a drink. Stay here, Squirt and look after you mother."
He half-walked half-hobbled, into the kitchen where Stevie was relaying the story to Essie. She stood with her hand over her lips and tears running down her cheeks.
"Essie, come here." Cade wrapped her in his arms and rocked her. "Tell me what happened, Stevie, before Tam comes in looking for us."
Stevie retold the story from the beginning. Cade was sure he left out plenty of details so he didn't upset the housekeeper any more than necessary. "So what happens now then?"
"An inquiry, I guess. They always have one when there is a death with the police involved. I don't have any reason to be worried though. He was going to kill her. There was no other option. I had one chance and I took it."
"The guy was a creep. Seriously, I don't think he was all there, if you know what I mean."
"He did have some issues. There is no doubt about it, but the main thing is, Rooney is safe. Now she has to deal with what happened and she’ll need all of you to keep her grounded and carry on."
"And you, Stevie," Essie said as she wiped her tears. "That little girl needs her father and Rooney might not know it, but she needs you too."
He smiled. "I have no intention of letting her go again, Essie. She might take a bit of convincing, but I'll get there in the long run." He looked over at the kettle. "Do you mind if I take over and make her some tea? It seems to be the tonic for all things apparently."
"No, you go back to her. I'll do it." She pushed him toward the door and with a nod, he returned to the lounge. "Oh that poor girl."
"Yeah, I don't know how the hell she managed to stay calm throughout that. I reckon I would’ve struggled if I had a knife held at my throat."
The door opened and Kate came in, tears in her eyes.
"What is it?" Cade walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders, looking down into her face and watched as she let the tears fall.
"It's nothing. I'm being silly." She shrugged and tried to laugh. Cade itched to take her in his arms
