Page 89 of The Lies That Shatter
Red just shakes her head, sneering at Mel. “That’s bullshit, and we have proof. We have video evidence—that Mia has seen—of you confessing to your involvement. The deals you made in order to get Mia back in your life. But more than that, we heard about the agreement you made when she was a child. You didn’t just stand by and allow your daughter to be abused, you were a part of it.”
Bree’s practically vibrating with rage now as she snarls at Mel. I’m quite surprised she hasn’t put a bullet in her already.
Before any of us have a chance to speak again, Kellan addresses us all through our communication devices. “Team one has located McKenna. They need you there as soon as you can.”
I look over at Red, silently pleading with her to move this along so I can get to my girl. Kel doesn’t give us any more information, so I have no idea if she’s okay or not. All I know is that I can’t leave my team. We have to all go. Which means Bree needs to end this now.
Speaking for the first time, Kian steps forward. “We need to move this along, and since you won’t believe us, I think you need to hear it directly.”
Both me and Bree turn to look at him in confusion, but he’s holding up his phone. I don’t know when he activated the call, but Mia is on the screen. At some point, Kian must have made a video call to her, and she’s watching it all unfold, an empty, broken look on her face.
For the first time since I met Mel, her face falls, and she looks hurt. I think she has love for her daughter, even if she doesn’t show it in the right way. “Mia.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, but her daughter heard it.
Mia pulls her shoulders up, so she’s sitting taller. Even though he’s not on screen, I can see the white knuckles of Kellan’s hand as Mia holds him like he’s the life raft she needs to stay afloat. “Bree’s right. I know everything, Mother. I don’t even know what to say to you. What you did is so far beyond evil.”
Mel starts to respond, but Mia tells her to stop, leaving no room for argument.
“Now is my turn to talk, and you will listen. I always told myself you were ignorant to Father’s ways. That you turned a blind eye because you wanted the lifestyle and the money. I thought you were just as much of a prisoner as I was. If I hadn’t heard it from your own lips, I would never have believed that you weren’t just oblivious, you were actively involved. You sold me for your own gain. No mother does that.”
“You have no idea the lengths a mother will go to for her child,” Mel snaps, and that just enrages Mia even more.
“Actually, I do. I have a daughter, and I would walk through fire to protect her. I would face down the most dangerous enemy in the world, if it meant keeping her safe. The love I have for my daughter transcends anything else, and so I can say with every bit of confidence that nothing you did could ever fall anywhere near maternal. A mum protects her child, and you didn’t do that.”
“You don’t have a daughter,” Mel snarls, and I have to hold my hand out to stop Bree when she takes a step towards her angrily.
Mia can’t see what’s happening with us, but she defends her relationship with Hallie on her own. “As I’ve learnt from you, the title ofMumisn’t something you get just by giving birth, it’ssomething you earn. You get to call yourself a mum when you love a child so much, you would put their life before your own.
“I’m Hallie’s mum in all the ways that count, because I will always choose her. I will always put her first. Whereas, you will never be my mother because you’ve never looked out for me. You’ve never put me first. Being a blood relation doesn’t make you a mum, love does. And I love that little girl more than you were ever capable of loving me.”
Mel’s mouth flops open and closed, like she’s struggling to find the words. A loud sniffle rips from the phone and tears are flowing from Mia’s bloodshot eyes. But while she looks upset, her resolve remains strong.
“I may not be perfect, but I am your mother, Mia, and you can’t change that,” Mel says. “I will always be your family.”
Mia shakes her head violently. “No, you are not my family. The Doughtys are my family. They’re the people who have been keeping me safe, and they have shown me more love in the time I’ve been with them, than you have done my whole life.
“There was a time when I thought I could save you, too. That I would introduce you to my family, and they would help you the same way they helped me.”
“We can still do that,” Mel shouts desperately, grasping at any last shred of love Mia may have for her mother. The despair in Mel’s silver eyes tells me she knows her time is running out.
“No, we can’t. You are just as dangerous as Dad is, and I won’t have either of you near my children. You will die knowing all of what you’re missing out on. You will never hold the baby that I’m carrying in your arms. You will never know your grandchild. But I will sleep better at night knowing that mine and Kellan’s baby, and Hallie, will grow up safe from harm, away from you and Dad,” Mia replies, and as I look over at Bree and Kian, I can tell neither of them knew about the baby news either.
We all want to congratulate Kel and Mia, but now is not the time.
“You’re pregnant?” Mel asks in a way I can’t quite interpret.
“I am,” Mia replies.
“Withhim?” Mel’s sneer tells me that while she might be pleased Mia is pregnant, she’s less than thrilled that Kel is the father.
“Yes, Kellan is the father,” she replies proudly, and I can’t help but smile. “Kellan, Hallie, and this baby, are my family. The Doughtys are the family I have chosen for myself, and they will always be with me. I’m sure by now Bree has told you that I agreed you have to die. She?—”
“She did say that, but you don’t have to do this, Mia,” Mel snaps, interrupting her, but Mia simply shrugs her off and continues.
“Now I know all your secrets. The mask you wear all the time has finally slipped, revealing you to be the monster we see before us. The world will be a better place without you in it, and I will sleep soundly knowing my children are protected from you. I’m sorry, Mother, but this is goodbye.”
Mel’s eyes widen and tears slip down her cheeks. She’s breathing rapidly now as the danger of the situation sets in. She shouts for her daughter, but the screen is blank. Mia has hung up, leaving her mother alone to deal with the consequences of her actions.
Kian places his phone in his pocket and addresses the two guards. “As you just heard, your boss here sold her own daughter to pervy old men when she was just a child. She allowed her daughter to be raped and violated by sick men, her husband included, all so she could keep the money and title she has in high society.
