Words Left Unsaid (15 page)

Chapter Nineteen

Kiara

It’s Monday afternoon, and I’ve just finished the first class of my second week. I love teaching, and I’m kicking myself for not getting back into it earlier. The kids are adorable and very well-behaved. Being able to teach them to express themselves through art is unbelievably satisfying. One boy in particular, Ryan, is so shy in person, but he paints the most inspirational artwork. I’m in awe of his talent and doing my best to bring out his confidence.

After I’ve tidied up the room, I make my way down to the staffroom. It’s empty apart from Kelly, who is sitting at one of the back tables, surrounded by papers. She looks up when I enter.

I’m still unsure about our relationship. She can be really nice one day and a bitch the next. The worst thing is I have no idea which side of her to expect until she’s on me. Like right now. She marches toward me, her usual fake smile plastered on her lips, almost falling over chairs to get to me.

“Hi, Kelly,” I say, my tone neutral.

“Hey,” she gushes.

I step back, her enthusiasm overwhelming.

“How are you finding it? Any trouble with the kids?”

“No, it’s all going great.” I’m either imagining things or she sounds hopeful, as if she wants me to find this difficult. “I’m really enjoying it here, actually. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly.”

Her mouth drops a little at my response, but she recovers quickly.

“That’s great. Support is good. I’ve noticed you and Max spend a lot of time together. Are you friends outside of school?” she asks innocently.

I’m taken aback by her forwardness. She might as well have just asked if we’re sleeping together.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” I laugh, thinking on my feet. I’m still learning my way around the school, and I have no idea if they have policies on interoffice dating. Not that we’re actually dating . . . Besides, what business is it of hers? “He’s just helping me settle back into teaching, and I appreciate that.”

Before she can ask any more questions, I invent an appointment I’m running late for. She nods and waves me off. Once I’ve escaped outside, I take a moment to catch my breath. Holy shit, that was intense. Who the hell is this woman? I make a mental note to mention it to Max.

After I pick up Tilly from Ellie’s, we stop off for takeout. Tilly insists on pizza, so I order and pick it up on the way home.

“Stop it,” I say as Tilly lifts the lid of the pizza box sitting on her lap, sending a waft of steam onto the windshield.

“I was just checking they got it right,” she replies, her head high.

I laugh. “Uh-huh. Is that why I saw you put a piece of pepperoni in your mouth?”

“It was falling off,” she protests. “Anyway, we’re home.”

We pull into the driveway, and I reach for the pizza and carry it inside while Tilly dances around my feet, begging for a slice.

“Wash your hands and I’ll dish up,” I say, setting it down on the kitchen counter. She scrambles off to the bathroom as I prepare our plates and pour us each a glass of juice.

After dinner, Tilly and I snuggle on the sofa watching TV until it’s time for bed. Like every night, she tries to fight for more time, but I hold my ground. Before I know it, she’ll be a teenager and I’ll regret giving in.

I wait fifteen minutes after I’ve tucked her into bed before I call Max. Usually, if it’s going to be a bad night, I’ll know in those first few minutes. Tonight she was out like a light, and I’m pretty sure nothing will wake her.

I carry a glass of wine over to the sofa and stretch out. Reaching for my phone, I punch in Max’s number, my stomach fluttering at the thought of talking to him. We chat about everything and nothing and before long, two hours has passed.

“I love how we never run out of things to talk about,” I chuckle.

“Yeah, and I’m not usually a phone kinda guy. My family can vouch for that,” he jokes. “And I didn’t even ask you how your day went.”

“Really good, actually. I’m loving it.” I pause, wondering if I should tell him about my chat with Kelly. “I had an interesting talk with Kelly this afternoon.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, it was really odd, actually. She was very interested in our relationship. It felt uncomfortable, having her ask all these personal questions that really aren’t any of her business. Does she have a problem with me or am I imagining things?”

Max pauses.
I knew it
.

“She’s got a problem with me. She was in line for the principal role and hasn’t handled losing to me very well,” he says. I nod, feeling better.
That makes sense.
“Because I was so invested in you she became suspicious. I think she thinks you got the job because we’re together. Don’t worry, I’ll sort it.”

“It’s okay. Maybe you’re just better leaving it alone and hoping it sorts itself out,” I suggest, not wanting to stir up any trouble.

“Maybe.” He sighs. “Anyway, you need sleep for your court date tomorrow and I have work to do. Call me if you need me, okay?”

***

I stand in the lobby of the courthouse, my handbag clutched in front of me. I glance around, looking for any sight of Kaitlin, but I can’t see her. Down the hall, I spot Heather and Jim and their attorney. My heart begins to pound faster and I feel dizzy. I make my way over to the nearest seat and sit down. The last thing I want to do is collapse before this mediation.

I got next to no sleep last night, and I’m paying for it now. The three coffees I’ve consumed this morning have made me jittery.
God, please let me get through these next few hours
. I don’t expect anything to actually be resolved today, and I’ll be relieved when it’s over.

“Kiara.”

I look up and see Kaitlin rushing toward me, her left hand juggling two cups of coffee. She hands me one, a beaming smile on her face.

“Thought you could use this.”

I laugh and take the cup, not sure more caffeine is the best move for me, but I don’t want to be rude.

“So, are you ready?” she asks, her serious eyes locked on mine.

I nod. “I guess so.”

We walk over to the elevator and press the
up
button, getting out on the second floor. Kaitlin runs over a few details as we make our way down the hall. She stops outside a room.

“This is it. Just remember, stay as calm as you can. The whole point of mediation is to try and reach an agreement outside of the courts. There are no right and wrong answers—just be honest.”

I nod and draw in a deep breath.
Honesty. I can handle that.

From the corner of my eye, I can see Heather and her group beginning the short trek down the hall. Kaitlin also notices them and nods for us to go inside. She opens the door.

The room is small and empty, apart from the long wooden table that sits in the center. Sunlight shines through the large windows, making the space appear less stuffy. A man sits at the head of the table, his silver gray hair perfectly combed into place. His mouth is drawn into a frown as he reads over some notes, looking up as we walk in. We take our seats on one side of the table.

God, I’m already intimidated
. I offer him a small smile and I’m relieved when he offers one back.

“Kiara, I presume? I’m Martin Ballister, one of the mediators here at the courthouse. How are you?”

“I’m good, thanks,” I murmur, tugging at the hem of my jacket. Sweat begins to build up at the back of my neck. I reach up and rub it, trying to force myself to relax.

“The others shouldn’t be too much longer.” No sooner do the words leave his mouth than Heather, Jim, and their team of lawyers walk in. I’m overwhelmed by how much support they have, but that’s quickly shadowed by anger when I remember how they’re paying for it.

That money should be for Tilly
. Ellie was right: I should’ve fought them on my rights after the accident. But surely it’s too late for that now?

Heather refuses to look at me, while Jim offers me a sympathetic smile. I get the feeling that he doesn’t want to be here any more than I do, and that gives me a small sense of satisfaction. If even her husband thinks she’s being unreasonable, surely a judge will see it too?

“Okay, I think we’re all ready to begin?” our mediator asks, addressing all of us.

I nod, my eyes firmly on him. Out of the corner of my eye I see Heather’s lawyer whisper something to her and she smiles. My blood boils as I grit my teeth.

We run through the case—again—and after all the details have been shared, the mediator asks both of us what issues we would like to address. I clear my throat and refer to the list I’d jotted down earlier.

“My main concern is the effect this will have on Tilly, and Aiden. I’ve spoken to his doctors, and they’ve told me that they’ve warned Heather that moving Aiden out of his current environment could result in catastrophic consequences.”

“The hospital simply doesn’t want to be held responsible if something did go wrong,” Heather cuts in. “They’re covering themselves. I have my own private medical professionals who have all cleared Aiden’s ability to reside at home.” She holds her head high. “In fact, one even suggested this move might help him.”

“Help him?” I laugh, shaking my head. “He hasn’t improved in three years, Heather. Nothing is going to help him.”

She glares at me, her face red. “And why would he want to improve when his fiancée abandoned him and won’t let him see his daughter?”

My mouth drops open. “Are you suggesting it’s my fault he hasn’t improved?” I gasp. “You’re ridiculous! There is no point to this whole thing because you’re never going to see reason.”

Heather stands up, leaning forward, until her hands are resting on the table. She glares at me, her expression menacing.

“You’re right about one thing, Kiara. Nothing is going to be resolved today.”

I sit there, open mouthed as she stalks out of the room, Jim and her lawyer trailing behind her.

“That went well,” I mutter to Kaitlin.

“Believe it or not, I’ve seen worse outcomes,” Kaitlin replies. “Don’t let it get to you. We knew the chances of settling this out of court were minimal.”

She’s right, but a small part of me was hoping Heather would come around. I nod, determined to stay positive. It’s just a minor setback.

We’re still going to win this
.

***

As I leave the courthouse, my phone rings. I see that it’s Kaitlin and answer right away, my stomach twisting in knots that something is wrong. We just spoke. What could she possibly want with me so quickly, unless it’s bad news?

“Hello,” I say, my breath catching in my throat.

“Sorry to bother you, but we’ve been given a court date for next month. The twenty-second of June.”

“Wow,” I murmur. “That was fast.”

“Yes, much faster than I was expecting, too. We have a few weeks to prepare, but as I said to you before, they really don’t have much of a case.” She pauses before adding, “If there’s anything Heather can bring up that might hurt your credibility, let me know, okay?”

“Like what?” I ask, confused. I reach my car and slot the key into the lock, juggling my bag and the phone.

“Past relationships, anything that can show you in a different light.”

“I haven’t had a relationship since Aiden,” I say, my voice quiet.

“And the man who came to our first appointment? Is that still ‘just friends’?” she asks.

Even though she can’t see me, my face heats up. I duck inside my car, resting my arm against the window.

“Does that really make a difference?” I ask, a wave of annoyance jolting through me. “This is about what’s best for Til—”

“Right, and Heather is going to use anything she can to show that you might not be the best role model for her.” She sighs, her tone softening. “I’m on your side, Kiara. You need to be prepared for the kind of things they’re going to throw at you. They have little to cling to, so they’re likely to grip onto whatever they can. Do me a favor and come see me next week. We’ll go over what to expect, okay?”

“Fine, I’ll make an appointment,” I agree, feeling bad about taking my anger out on her. I know she means well, and that she wouldn’t be taking this direction without good reason.

“Oh, one more thing,” Kaitlin cuts in. She hesitates, which makes me nervous. “You should prepare yourself for them wanting Tilly on the stand.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head venomously. “There has to be a way around that. I don’t want them guilting her into feeling worse than she already does about everything.”

“You might not have much of a choice,” Kaitlin replies, her voice grave.

***

Max looks shocked when he opens the front door, but his expression is quickly replaced with concern. I already doubt myself for turning up on his doorstep unannounced, but it’s too late now. He guides me inside, his hand on my shoulder.

“You don’t look that great,” he comments, reaching out to touch my cheek.