Chapter 24 Daphne

It's been three days since Jackson took the girls to his house and I still haven't been able to speak to them. I was tempted to drive over there, but Dean, my attorney, strenuously advised against it. Meredith, bless her, hasn't left my side and her company is the only thing keeping me from completely losing my mind.

"Can you drive over there, Mer? You're not restricted from seeing them."

"I'm happy to, but I'm not sure what good it will do. Maybe it's best if we wait to see what Dean advises."

My phone rings, and I jump up. I look at the screen and my heart skips a beat. "It's Jackson," I say to Meredith. Grabbing it, I answer.

"Jackson?"

"It's me, Mommy."

My legs almost buckle, and I fall back on the sofa. "Bella. Honey, are you okay?"

"I miss you, Mommy. Why did you leave us?"

"I didn't leave you, sweetie. It's…it's a misunderstanding. I'm trying to get it fixed so I can come get you."

"Amber said you don't love us anymore."

A rage unlike any I've ever known envelops me. I take a deep breath, forcing back the scream in the back of my throat. "Of course I love you. I don't know why she would tell you that. I love you more than anything."

"Mommy, please come get us."

She begins to cry, and my heart shatters into a million pieces. I grip the phone tighter, my head spinning, trying to think of what I could possibly say to make her feel better.

"Daphne?"

Jackson's voice cuts throughme.

"What is wrong with you? How could you do this?" I'm screaming now, and Meredith runs over and puts a hand on my arm.

"Calm down," she whispers.

"You miserable son of a bitch. You drugged me and stole my children."

"I'd advise you to calm down if you ever want to see Tallulah and Bella again."

"You won't get away with this."

He laughs. "I already have. I miss my family. But it's not complete. I want you back."

His words rock me. "You're out of your mind. I'll never come back to you. How could you possibly think I'd ever come back after you pull something like this?"

"Drastic times require drastic measures." His voice softens, it's the tone he uses when he's pouring the honey on. "Daphne, my love, you'll come to see in time that what I did, I did for the best of our family. Amber's leaving tomorrow. We're divorcing. I've already cleared it with DCF, since you were negligent not abusive, as long as you're not left alone with the children, they have no issue with your being here. I want us to work toward becoming a family again."

I'm so stunned I can't speak. He's certifiable. If he was insane before, he's now completely and utterly delusional. "Tell DCF the truth and then maybe we can have a chance. But not this way." I'm lying, of course, but maybe he'll buy it. I'll do whatever I have to in order to get my children back.

He chuckles. "Nice try, Daph. You know I can't do that. Number one—I'd get in a lot of trouble. And number two—you'd just take the girls and leave without giving me a chance to prove what a good husband I can be. I wasn't lying. I have changed. I should never have cheated on you. Never let you get away. You're my one true love, and I'll do anything to prove myself to you again."

Despite my better judgment, I try to reason with him. "Jackson, don't you see how wrong this is? You're telling me you love me. That I can trust you again, yet you've made me out to be a drunk and a drug addict in front of our children. In front of the community. I'm being investigated as an unfit mother! How can you expect me to believe you've changed and that we have a future when you've done something so despicable?"

"I'm sorry that it had to be this way, but tell me honestly, would you have ever given me a chance otherwise? This was the only way. I know it seems harsh and unfair, but you'll be cleared and by then you'll be in love with me again and all will be well."

That he actually believes I could ever love him again completely astounds me. "I need time to think," I say, stalling for time.

"Don't take too long; otherwise, I may decide that the girls are better off without you. After all, what is there to think about? Either you want to be with them or you don't."