The Former Lover [Sequel To Military Minds]

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

"Are you alright, Bec? You look tense."

Glenn's baby blue eyes mirrored Rebecca's as he gazed across at her from the adjacent side of the kitchen table. The early morning sunlight reflected off the glass, glaring into her eyes. She blinked hard against the strange blue-red patterns behind her eyelids, leaning back in her wooden high-backed chair, and retrieving the morning newspaper from the polished cream marble bench top. The smell of toasting bread was enough to make her stomach grumble.

How could Rebecca tell her father what was on her mind? Oh, hey dad, Megan's psychotic ex-girlfriend is out to kill me. Megan was the love of my life, that you never met.

The whole predicament loomed up on her like an endless tunnel. Rebecca could see no end in sight. The more she attempted to wrap her mind around the details of the letter, and who it was addressed to, the further away the end seemed to be. Instead of charging straight toward it, she felt like she was taking baby steps. If Cameron had been correct in his assumption, then perhaps the letter had been written to Rowena, and perhaps Miranda had left it on the table.

The memory of last night was fresh in Rebecca's mind. Miranda must have followed her to the campus site, she realised with a start. Rebecca had reason to believe she was a spy for Rowena, and if she was, she must inform Millie at once. Cameron's name popped up in her mind, but she pushed it out.

"I'm fine, dad," Rebecca sighed. Of course she knew she was lying, but protecting him from the truth was her first priority.

Glenn's face was plain. He exhaled a deep sigh he had been holding, retrieving the morning newspaper from the table between them, which Rebecca had given up on, unable to focus on any of the words. "I cannot force you to tell me what's on your mind," he said. "But I will be here whenever you need to talk to me."

Rebecca felt her heart pang. She wanted to tell Glenn about it all - falling in love with Megan, fighting for her life in the war that had killed Megan, and Rowena Manchester's discombobulating hatred toward her. But she could not involve Glenn in her own matters, that she herself had caused.

"Good morning sweetie." Miranda's voice chimed.

She filled the doorway that divided the kitchen and lounge room, falling against the wall as if to sexually appeal to Glenn. She wore a white strap top accompanied by a pair of fading denim shorts, cut low on her tanned thighs. Her sun kissed body was that of a typical Australian woman, and just like other Australian women, Miranda knew how to flaunt her stuff. Upon seeing Rebecca, the edge of her mouth quirked up into a cold smirk.

"I see you're spending some quality time with your daughter." Miranda cooed in a voice that sent shivers down Rebecca's spine. Indigence was buried beneath her seemingly innocent expression, like a child smiling after they had just snapped a bird's neck.

Rebecca clenched her hands into fists on her thighs. Fortunately, Rebecca's lower half was concealed by the table.

"I'm trying to," Glenn sighed. He lowered the paper, and rose from the chair. "She won't talk to me. Perhaps you can -

"I'm not five years old, dad!" Rebecca snapped. Realising what she done, she opened her mouth to take it back. But Miranda interrupted.

"Sure," she shrugged, placing her hands on her hips. She had blonde highlights through her chocolate brown hair, which spilled flawlessly over one bony shoulder. Miranda was all skin and bone. Rebecca felt herself flare with jealousy that her father's fiancé had a better figure than her.

Miranda sank into the chair Glenn had occupied moments ago. Her posture was brimming with confidence. It was plain to see that she contemplated talking about an entirely different matter, rather than what Glenn had asked her to. Rebecca felt her stomach rolling over and over with bundled nerves, which would explode into millions of tiny fragments if Miranda provoked her.