‘I’m leaving you.’ Josephine says to her husband when he walks into the parlour where she has her bags packed and is waiting on him. Nothing new there, she spent most of her life waiting on him.
‘What?’
‘You heard me. I am leaving you Tristian and I am not coming back- ’
‘Jo, I don’t- ’
‘Please listen to me the car is waiting. I am leaving you and you know why. Besides, I know about your affairs, the secretaires over the years and the other women besides Elspeth whom you did not deserve. I kept your secret same as you have held mine as the sword of Damocles over me. And, at one point in our lives together, we loved each other or felt something for each other. I’ve almost lost my son because he is doing everything to please you. That ends now. I am leaving you but here is what you will do.’ Josephine rises to her feet, full height, head held high. ‘You are going to release a statement, in support of your son and his wife, and you are going to extol her virtues. If you need the words, read Blythe’s last piece, she has enough of it. You are going to state your unequivocal support for your son and his wife and their children. You will also note that this is a private matter, and the family is dealing with it privately. Any updates on your son’s political future, will come from your son. Again, you are going to stress that your son and his wife are dealing with this as a private family matter and thank the public for respecting their privacy. I wrote it all down for you.’ She tosses a folder on the table.
‘And if I don’t.’ Tristan knows a losing game when he sees one and she just played her ace.
‘I will blow the shit out of your entire family. To save my son? I will destroy everything you and your father hold dear. I am not afraid of you anymore, I have walked through fire and come out on the other side, literally, so please, I am begging you, test me.’