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“Fine.” Gabe studies me for a moment before saying, “When was the last time your doctors screened you?”
I sigh. “Not now.”
“Can you ask your neuro-oncologist to send me your medical history?” he requests.
“You’re not supposed to treat family—it is unethical.” I glare at him, hoping he’ll back off.
“I’m going to set up a team. Hence, why I need the history. My only involvement is getting you the best people I know,” he states firmly.
“Leave it, Gabe,” I say.
“We need to monitor that if you are ever to get pregnant. I want to make sure we have everything in place,” he states, and I see the worry in his eyes. It takes me a few moments to remember one of his biggest fears—losing me.
I reach up and caress the wrinkles on his forehead before linking my arms behind his neck and kissing his stubbled jaw. “I won’t leave you again. I’m healthy, I promise. We could try a surrogate if you’re afraid that the hormones might trigger something.”
He places his strong hands on my waist and pulls me close. “I love you so fucking much. The last thing I want is for you to go through that hell again—or for me to lose you.” His voice breaks slightly.
“Tomorrow,” I sigh, conceding. “Tomorrow, I’ll make a few calls and sign the releases you need.”
“Thank you,” he mumbles. “Now tell me what is bugging you.”
“Cora and Caleb,” I say softly. “I want them to be ours, but then . . . I don’t want to take them away from Izzy. That’s what Richard did with my mom. He took me away from her even when he had no right to do it.”
And I wish I knew why he did it. Because as far as I remember, up until the day I figured out that he wasn’t my father, he had loved me just as much as he loved Izzy and Cee. We were close until Helen came into the picture.
Suddenly, it hits me. This is the one other thing that’s been nagging me, but I keep pushing it aside. Richard Lewis. There are so many things happening that I don’t want to give any attention to, but maybe this matters, too. If only to get some closure.
“I’ll call Cedric. See if he’ll let me see Richard,” I say tentatively.
Gabe looks at me and nods. “Just know that he might not remember you at all.”
“But maybe he will. I don’t understand how he stopped loving me, or maybe he never did, you know? It was some twisted revenge to make my mother suffer.” I press my lips together, anger rising inside me. “I don’t approve of her relationship with Declan, but why take me away from her?”
Gabe strokes my hair soothingly. “Sometimes people get caught up in their own pain and end up hurting those they are supposed to love the most.” His voice holds a quiet sadness. “I’ll be right there holding your hand if you decide to see Richard. Whatever you decide.”
He tilts my chin up gently and lowers his lips to mine in a soft, loving kiss. I melt into him, thankful that I’m back in his arms. Hoping that we don’t lose each other again.
Never again.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ameline
Cedric looks so much older when I enter his house. “Thank you for letting me visit him,” I say politely.
He nods, moving closer and opening his arms but retrieving when I take a step back.
“Learning why they divorced . . .” he suddenly says. “We were angry at her, then at you.”
“I don’t care. Could I see him, please?” I request as calm as possible, though my patience is wearing thin.
“Youhave to understand me, Ameline?—”
“No, I don’t have to do anything,” I retort, my voice rising. “I was sick. I begged you to talk to me, be with me. You ignored me. They opened my head and pulled out a tumor. I could’ve died. You two didn’t give two fucks about it. It didn’t matter how many times I called.”
“I had a plan. I couldn’t jeopardize it for?—”
“The kid who destroyed your happy family,” I finish for him bitterly. “Well, I hope your plan came to fruition, and life is everything you wanted. Now, can I see your father?”
