"Your mother was cyberbullied until she killed herself. Your father won't even acknowledge you. I'm the only reason nobody dares laugh at you."
I let out a quiet laugh. Who said he was the only reason nobody dared laugh at me?
I had an aunt. Aunt Caroline. Her business had grown enormous, and overseas, she answered to no one.
Last week she'd tracked me down and asked if I wanted to go abroad with her.
I'd said no because I couldn't bear to leave Adam.
Now...
I pulled out my phone and sent Aunt Caroline a message.
Auntie, I've made up my mind. I'll go with you.
She replied instantly: Wonderful. I'll send a private jet for you in three days.
It should have been good news. But the tears slid down my face before I could stop them.
My chest ached, a sharp, venomous sting, like something poisonous had sunk its teeth in.
I had been planning to tell Adam about Aunt Caroline as a surprise.
There was no point now.
Adam saw me crying and assumed I couldn't bear to lose him. He reached over and wiped my tears with his thumb. "See? The second I mention breaking up, you're in tears. If I ever actually left you, you'd probably fall apart completely."