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“I also acknowledge that I’ve done the wrong thing by you for a long time now. I didn’t mean to, but I’ve limited you in speaking your mind, prevented you from being your authentic self. And I’m worried that it’s damaged you.” Her eyes filled with tears.
Liv reached out to take her hand. “Mum,” she said quietly.
Tara shook her head. “Don’t try to excuse my behavior, love.”
Liv gave her a weak smile, not knowing what to say.
“I know that your dad was the big villain in our lives. But that doesn’t make me blame-free.”
Liv’s voice broke. “Oh, Mum.”
Tara squeezed her hand. “You are a brilliant person, Liv. And not only when you’re being positive and vibrant. You’re a good person on your worst days. When you feel down or angry. And you don’t have to hide when you are. You let out whatever you need to let out and know that I love you as you are. And you are absolutely nothing like that good-for-nothing father of yours.”
Liv threw her arms around her mother, letting her tears flow. “Thank you.”
Her mum’s voice was broken by tears. “You’re welcome. It was long overdue.”
Liv pulled back, rubbing at her face. “Did Sam speak to you about this?”
Hesitantly, her mum nodded. “He did. He sat me down and we had a long, honest conversation. I’m ashamed to say that at first, I couldn’t see it. But your brother is very persuasive and determined when he’s got his heart set on something.” She smiled. “And Angus backed him up.”
Liv managed a small laugh. “He’s a good egg, that bloke of yours.”
“I know,” Tara said. “But if there’s ever a next time, though I hope there isn’t, then I want to hear it directly from you. Not the men in our lives. And I promise to listen. Okay?”
Liv nodded. “Okay.”
Her mum hugged her close and Liv had to admit that her twin brother was the absolute best.
Tara pulled back. “What has been on your mind, then? Just now you looked a million miles away, but you said it wasn’t because of your dad.”
Liv bit her lip. “Just a bit of guy trouble.”
Tara’s expression indicated that the penny had dropped. “Arran?”
Liv glanced at her. “Has Sam said something?”
“No. I just figured you two seemed close. Especially after he drove you over when your father showed up.”
“Yeah, we are.” Her heart thudded. “Or were. I don’t know. I’m trying to work some stuff out.”
“What happened?” Tara asked.
Liv let out a dry laugh. “I did.”
Her mum appeared puzzled.
Liv rubbed her face. She was going to need the mother of all facials before this wedding, what with all the crying she’d been doing. Her face must look like a big, puffy, blotchy mess. “It’s taken me a long time to work out. But I’ve had this phobia of serious relationships. After witnessing other people’s experiences.” Her mum squeezed her hand and Liv gave her a reassuring smile. “Plus ignoring my own personal demons. Then, when I finally felt like I was making headway and letting Arran in, I got really paranoid that he wanted to get back together with Jess. But instead of letting him reassure me, I backed off and hid. I told myself—and him—that it was because I didn’t want to get in the way of his family getting back together. And although that’s true, perhaps it was also for self-preservation because I’m terrified of how big my feelings for him are and what’ll happen if I let myself be vulnerable and then he changes his mind.”
Tara frowned. “When your father first left, I would’ve given anything to have him back. But time made me realize the error in that thinking.”
“That’s not the same, Mum. Jess is basically a good person.” Liv pushed her glasses up her nose. “It’s not fair on them, or Jayce, for me to stand in their way.”
Tara took her hand, her amber eyes shining. “You’ve always worried about getting in the way. Ever since you were little. And that’s your father’s fault.”
Something clicked in the back of Liv’s mind.
“You weren’t the one in the way, sweetheart,” Tara continuedgently. “He was. You, your brother, and I, we were the team. And your father was the spoke in our wheels.”
