TIFFIN 3

83

Just a warning. You're going to want to punch Diedre after this 😭😭
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I was in the same predicament as Brendan, spluttering my way through a response. 

"Diedre... you... I... you were at the prison." 

She didn't bother replying; she huffed in exasperation as she pushed past me and my friend, entering the house. 

"Well, if you won't invite me in, I suppose I'll have to do it myself." 

What the fuck? No! She couldn't just invite herself in like this! 

As I turned to survey my husband's reaction to all this, he was still holding Eleanor, a mute expression marring his face.

Diedre noticed my child, a vicious gleam in her eyes. 

"Oh, aren't you precious? Come here you little devil." 

As she made her way towards them, I jumped into action. I shielded them both, puffing out my chest. 

"You will not touch my fucking daughter, you molester!" 

I was glad to see that everyone else had joined with me, barricading us on all sides. No one corrected me on my vile behavior, which I was immensely proud of.

We were all a tight knit family and it didn't matter if one of us was in the wrong. 

We'd have each other's backs. No questions asked. 

Emma stood by me, her lips pulled back in a snarl.

"I could snap your neck for stepping in this house!" She screamed. "But I think I'll do the right thing and call the authorities so they can put you back in your cell!"

I expected Diedre to retaliate in anger, but she only took a deep breath, composing herself. 

"I hardly think that will be necessary. I've been bailed out."

I caught Kylie's mortified stare out of my peripheral. 

"How?" I demanded. "I mean... you were an accomplice. I know that you didn't have a court hearing but..." 

Diedre's eyes narrowed. 

"Have you forgotten I'm a Tiffin as well? If I desire something, I will get it. Thanks to a willing benefactor, I'm free, with just a slap on the wrist."

Ezekiel rushed forward, his muscles bulging dangerously. Usually, I would have been worried that this body builder could knock a woman out, but then again Diedre deserved it. 

"This is bullshit! It was proved in court that everything had been planned and scheduled to a T. The crap you put my fiance through was deplorable... I will go to the media and make sure you're scorned. Whatever I have to do to get you in the slammer!" 

Diedre only laughed. 

"Oh, you blubbering fool. Try all you want. I have the power here. I did nothing wrong. As my attorney stated, I was a victim of circumstance."

I pursed my lips. 

"Who bailed you out? Surely you can tell us that?" 

"Perhaps someday," Diedre said, "but not yet. Such a giving, unsuspecting individual. I really thought they were a lost cause." 

I glowered. 

"Not that I don't enjoy your presence, but you're not welcome here. I'd like you to leave."

"I don't think so." 

My head whipped up at this comment as well as everyone else's. Who the hell did this hag think she was? Calling shots in my own house. 

Somehow Diedre had snuck her way around all of us, running a perfectly manicured finger down from Hero's messy locks, to the middle of his chest. 
For fuck sake, he was still holding our daughter! 

How had she managed to not cry through all this?

"What do you think, my dear grandson?" She went on. "Am I unwelcome in your home?"

He didn't offer an answer. He simply stood still, looking utterly traumatized. 

Jesus. What was going on? 

I pushed at her chest, forcing her to stumble back. 

"Get your paws off my husband! He doesn't want you in our lives and I'm glad he saw you for what you were!" 

Diedre recovered after a long minute, charging for me. 

"I'm going to make you regret putting your hands on me!" 

Before she could reach me, Emma intercepted, her teeth bared like some ferocious lion.

"I still stand by what I said about your shallow grave. You finish that threat and I will stomp your ass out." 

Sensing she was in dangerous territory, Diedre finally relented. She backed away as if she'd been slapped. 

It was then that Eleanor decided to let out a terrified shriek. 

Yes, that was my girl knowing when something was amiss.

"I think she agrees," I snarled. "Now get the fuck out!" 

As she tripped over her own feet trying to hurry to the front door, Diedre spat back at me. 

"You will pay! All of you!" 

As soon as the door slammed with a thud, I rushed to my still sobbing newborn and pale husband.

"Are you alright?" 

Hero looked down at me with a blank  face which worried me. 

He seemed... unfazed. 

"Yes." 

Why did I not believe him?

What do you think is happening in the background?

Who bailed her out??

You'll see soon 😶