Chapter 28 Daphne

I call Jackson as soon as I've calmed down enough to think straight. He answers on the first ring.

"I assume you got the papers?" There's a hint of amusement in his voice, and I can picture the gloating smile on his face.

"What game are you playing at, Jackson? You claim to be a changed man, a family man, yet you're trying to take your children away from their mother?"

He tsks. "Really, Daphne. You're looking at this entirely the wrong way. I'm trying to give my children both their parents."

"How do you imagine that?"

"Clearly you need a little incentive to come back. Amber and I have separated. Once my divorce is final and you and I are married again, the custody suit will be moot. By this time next year, you'll be Mrs. Jackson Parrish again."

I feel like vomiting. "Is extortion really how you want to get me back? Where's your pride?"

But instead of getting angry, he softens his tone. It's the voice he uses to lull his adversaries into a false sense of security. "Thanks to you, I left my pride in prison. There's nothing more important to me than my family. I've always believed the ends justify the means, and I know you'll be happy once we're together again."

"Is this some kind of trick? You don't want to be together any more than I do. In fact, that's the last thing I want. We're adults. Can't we work this out without these pointless games?"

"Hmm. I'm afraid not, Daphne. You see, I really do want you back, and I'll do whatever I must to make that happen."

I'm quiet, struggling to find the words to say.

"I love you, Daphne. I always have, and I know that deep down, you love me too. But don't worry, I'll give you time once you move back. We'll take it slowly, just like when we first met. I won't rush you into my bedroom. It won't be long before we'll be one big happy family again. And you have to admit, you've grown fond of Jax. Won't it be nice to have a baby again?"

"What are you talking about? Jax has a mother."

"Amber's giving me full custody. He needs a mother. You. They all need their mother. I'm willing to suffer your anger for now, because I know you'll be grateful once you see how happy we can be."

It shouldn't surprise me that Amber is leaving another child behind, but I'm shocked, nonetheless. That woman must have ice in her veins. Poor little Jax. And poor Tallulah and Bella, caught in the middle of this. I suddenly need to hear their voices.

"Can I please talk to the girls?" I ask.

Surprisingly, he agrees quickly. "Sure. Hold on."

A few seconds later, Tallulah's voice comes over the line. "What?"

I've never heard her sound so flat, so devoid of any emotion, and I tighten my grip on the phone. "Lu, I miss you. Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Dad's not a drug addict. We're doing just fine."

I clench my jaw. What has he been telling her? "Honey, I'm not a drug addict. I don't know what…"

"Save it, Mom. I know all about what happened when I was a baby. I can't believe all this time you've made Dad seem like the dangerous one, when it was you all along."

It feels as though my heart is being ripped from my chest. "He's lying to you. I would never put you in danger."

But she's gone and Jackson is back. "You've been filling her head with lies," I tell him.

"Now, Daphne, it's true that you were hospitalized when she was a baby. She's old enough to understand. No one is perfect. Come home. Amber is gone. We'll sit down and explain everything together. I'll help you to win Lu back."

His voice, patronizing and mocking, infuriates me, and it takes all my self-control not to tell him to go screw himself. But I know he's not going to back down. He's going to see this through to the end, no matter who gets hurt. Nothing will stop him. I swallow my rage and take deep breaths. "You win, Jackson. I'll be there tomorrow."

"Attagirl. I'll have the cook prepare something special for dinner."

I hope you choke on it,I think. "Tomorrow then." I end the call and leave my bedroom, returning to the kitchen where Meredith is waiting.

"Well?"

"He's got Tallulah convinced that I'm some kind of drug addict. She would barely talk to me. I have to go back."

"But, Daphne…"

"I have no choice. The longer he has them to himself, the more damage he'll do."

"We should call the lawyers."

I shake my head. "They're just going to tell me to wait. What's the point? Even if I do wait and the DCF investigation is dropped, I still have to fight him for custody. And you can bet he'll use every dirty trick in the book to win. I can't wait any longer. I have to protect my daughters."

"So what's your plan? Just go back and live with him forever?"

I shake my head. "Of course not. I'll figure something out. But for now, I have to make him think he's won."

Meredith gives me a long look that says she thinks he has won. "Daph, what about sex? Does he expect you to sleep with him?"

I make a face. "Gentleman that he is, he's said I can have my own room until I'm ready to welcome him back into my bed. Like that's ever going to happen."

Meredith arches her eyebrows. "Don't be naive. That won't last long."

I nod. "Yeah, I know. One step at a time. I can't worry about that now. I need to get to my girls. The rest will fall into place."

She gives me a worried look. "Why don't you let me see if Randolph can speak to a different judge? It's a shame that he doesn't know the one who's assigned to your case. Maybe he can persuade the judge to find in your favor earlier."

"I appreciate it, Mer, but the last thing I need is to be accused of trying to bribe a judge or something. I have a bad feeling that could come back to haunt me. I'll be okay."

"I hope you know what you're doing. And of course, I'm here for whatever you need."

I squeeze her hand. "Thanks. I'm counting on it."