“You fucking bastard,” I scream.

“Delaney. I’m sorry.”

The smell of Pania’s perfume alerts me to her presence behind me.

“She’s five, Damon. Do you know how much damage you’ve done? Get out of my diner and my life,” I yell.

He holds up his palms. “I’ll sort it.”

“You can’t. You’ve taken the last bit of privacy she had and you destroyed it. Did you ever think once about what this would do to me and my daughter?”

Pania steps around me. “Get the fuck out of here before I slap you. Don’t you dare ever come back.”

He stands and backs away. “I never meant to hurt you. I swear.”

“It’s way too late for that.”

Pania turns me around. “Go sit in the kitchen. I’ll be there in a minute.”

My feet are like clay, but I move them, one in front of the other. But it’s like I’ve forgotten how to walk as I force each step all the way to the table.

We’ve planned so much at this table—and had so many conversations. Now it’s the support I need as I collapse in tears face first.

“Oh, honey.” Pania’s beside me minutes later, pulling me into her arms. “I’ve got rid of him. We’ll have him served with a trespass notice. That man’s not stepping foot on this property again.”

“I never thought anyone from here would do that to Melly.” I sob.

“Neither did I. I guess when there’s money involved, it pays not to trust anyone.” She hugs me tight. “Except me. I’ve always got you.”

“I know you do.”

She rubs my back. “You have to tell Josh.”

I nod. “I’ll do that when I get a grip.”

“He loves you. He’ll take care of this.”

Pulling back from her, I struggle to breathe at first. “Will he? I’m the one getting the tweets and the nasty comments and having to make sure Amelia’s safe.”

Pania brushes my stray hair off my face. “He’d climb mountains for you. Anyone can see that. Give him a chance. Did you tell him about the comments and tweets?”

I shake my head. “He’s got enough to deal with.”

“Then give him this too. He’s your partner, and he deserves the chance to protect you.”

She’s right. Josh has to know everything. I can’t bottle it all up and hide it from him. If we’re doing this, I need him.

Especially where our daughter’s concerned.

* * *

I pull myself together before school pickup and drive down to get Melly.

Instead of parking outside, I drive in the gate and use the visitor’s park outside the office. I get a few odd looks, but I ignore them and head inside where my girl waits.

“Mummy.” She flings her arms around me.