Page 81 of The Wedding Pact

I shove my things into my suitcase with a little more force than necessary. How am I supposed to go about my day with that parting shot of hers rattling around my head?

Letting out a loud sigh, I try to dispel the heavy pull of guilt I’m feeling now.

Maybe she’s right. I probably should go and say goodbye to Darian, at least. It would seem rude to just leave without letting him know why.

So, once I’m all packed, and find to my disappointment that Ida has already left the villa without another word to me, I stroll over to the hotel to find him.

After asking a few people in the bar, I discover he’s on the beach and head off in the direction they’ve pointed.

I find my stepbrother lying on the sand, soaking in some rays, looking relaxed and happy.

He sits up when he sees me approaching and flashes me the warmest smile he’s ever bestowed on me. Given that we’re usually scowling at each other from across the room, this is disconcerting.

‘Hey,’ I say when I’m close enough. ‘I’m just letting you know I have to head off early. There’s some work shit going down I need to deal with. Ida’s going to stay on till the end though, so I’d appreciate it if you could look out for her.’

‘Sure, man. No problem. It’s a pity you have to cut things short here, but I totally get it. Margot will be bummed she didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. She’s gone for a massage. We’ve both had a blast here. It’s been the perfect place to have a wedding.’

‘Glad to hear it.’

Darian stands up, shoving his hands into the pockets of his swim shorts. ‘Actually, I’m glad I’ve caught you on your own. I wanted to say thanks again, for all this. It really means a lot that you arranged it for us.’

‘Yeah, well, you’re welcome.’

His expression changes and he suddenly looks a little awkward. ‘Look. I know we’ve not always got on,’ he says, ‘And I know I annoy the crap out of you sometimes when it must seem like I’m constantly going on at you to see our folks, but we just want you around, dude. Especially your dad. He really misses you. He’d never say it out loud, but he’s gutted whenever you don’t make it to the family get-togethers. He was really hoping you’d come to his last birthday and when you didn’t make it, I could see how much it was eating him up.’

I nod and shift from foot to foot in the sand, uncomfortable with this change in conversational direction.

He holds up his hands. ‘Sorry if I got a bit heavy about it. It’s just, I’m the one who sees the emotional fallout when you don’t turn up and I find myself having to work extra hard to be enough on my own. You know? Sorry, that probably sounds really selfish and lame.’

‘Nah, I get it,’ I say, giving him a tight smile, my body tense with discomfort.

‘I think he feels like he fucked up his relationship with you after your mum died by marrying mine so quickly and he doesn’t know how to fix it,’ Darian says. ‘And I get that I was a part of that too. I was so happy to finally have a brother and it ate me up that you didn’t seem to like me. I know I was a real brat around you. But I worshipped you, dude. I just didn’t know how to deal with the rejection. I’d already had a lot of that from my old man. He was a total dick to my mum and me and I was glad to see the back of him. It didn’t mean I didn’t miss having a dad though. So I was really grateful when your dad came into our lives. I could see how happy he made my mum, after she’d been miserable for so long. But I guess it didn’t translate like that to you.’

I swallow hard, a wave of something like shame rushing through me. ‘No. I guess it didn’t. I saw you both as a threat, to be honest. And I couldn’t understand how my dad could move on so quickly after my mum died.’ I rub my hand over my hair in agitation. ‘Honestly, I suspect your mum and my dad were already having an affair before my mum died. When she was ill maybe. And I’ve really struggled to forgive them for that.’

Darian looks shocked. ‘No, man. They weren’t seeing each other before your mum passed, I promise you.’

I fold my arms. ‘How can you be so sure?’

‘Because my dad was a cheat and my mum hated being the victim of that. It humiliated her. She’d never do that to someone else, especially not a woman who was ill. Look, I know she can be a bit standoffish and she probably seems cold to you, but it’s a defence mechanism she’s developed after being fucked about so badly by my dad. She’s a warm, kind person really, it’s just that you two got off on the wrong foot and she’s always felt you’ve disliked her and she’s not dealt well with it. It’s turned into a vicious circle that neither of you know how to break.’

He holds up his hand. ‘I’m not trying to excuse the way she’s acted in the past when she’s been kind of authoritarian with you, but it was the only way she knew how to cope at the time. At least that’s the impression she’s given me from the few things she’s said about it. She’d love to get to know you better though. Now we’re all older and wiser. As would I.’

He waves his hand towards the hotel. ‘We’re all really made up that you came to the wedding. None of us thought you’d make it. We expected you to say you were too busy. And I know you genuinely are most of the time. But know this: you are wanted in this family and it would be great if you could find some time to see your dad a bit more. I know he’d love that. Even if he’s too proud to ask you for it himself. He thinks he’s let you down and pushed you away. So maybe give him a chance to make it up to you.’

He shrugs stiffly. ‘If you want, of course. I’ll leave it up to you. Anyway, I’d better go and find Margot. She wants to go snorkelling after her massage and I promised I wouldn’t be late for the instructor we’ve booked. Married life, huh. I know I’m going to be spending the rest of my life making sure I’m on time for things. But hey, it’s worth it. She’s worth it,’ he says with a genuine smile.

‘Good for you, dude. She’s an amazing woman. I’m happy for you. Genuinely.’

‘Would now be an appropriate time for a brotherly hug?’ Darian asks, looking sheepish, but determined.

‘Sure. Why not. Bring it in.’

We move in for a hug and slap each other’s backs to get past the awkwardness.

‘Thanks, man. Seriously. We both really appreciate what you did for us here. We won’t forget it. Oh, and we really love Ida too. She seems perfect for you. I’ve never seen you laugh so much. You seem really happy together.’

I give him a tight smile, my stomach sinking. ‘Yeah. She’s a fun person to be around.’