Page 27 of The Addendum

“Should it?” I asked, my voice not sounding right, realizing I had risen to my feet.

“My mom had a shirt she kept locked away. I recall seeing it when I was younger, and I asked what it was. She said it belonged to my father. She took it away, and I never saw it again until she died.”

She tossed the clear bag on the table, and I stared at the folded dress shirt. Plain, once white, it was discolored and old. Innocuous except for the RVR monogrammed on the cuffs. Black, bold, and still vivid. It was my shirt. I’d worn the same style and monogram for almost forty years, and I would recognize it anywhere.

But she could have gotten it at a thrift store, for all I knew. I’d discarded enough of them for that to happen. An old shirt didn’t establish parentage.

Our eyes locked, stormy and angry, mine prepared to fight. Except, with a start, I saw why she seemed familiar. She had my eyes, my wide forehead, and the cowlick I always hated. I recognized the anger that burned in her gaze. I had seen it in the mirror most of my young adult life.

It hadn’t been my hands she’d reacted to. It was the cuffs of my shirt. The ones that identified me as her father.

I swallowed, the sounds of shocked gasps and low curses swirling in the air. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.

“You are my father,” she hissed, venom dripping from her voice. “And I hate you.”

10

RICHARD

Everything seemed to happen at once. Katy’s hand slid from mine, and she covered her mouth. All the men at the table stood. Halton rounded the table, standing beside me, his hand on my shoulder.

Luc burst through the patio doors, hurrying over, reaching Ashley. He looked around the table, his eyes widening as he saw the bag containing the shirt.

“Love, what have you done?” he asked quietly. “You said you were going to give me a chance to do some research.”

“I don’t need any research,” she spat.

Halton squeezed my shoulder in warning.

“I think we need to step back,” he said. “Let the air cool. Perhaps arrange a meeting in my office.”

“And you are who, exactly?” Ashley demanded.

“Richard’s lawyer,” he stated smoothly. “I specialize in family law.”

“Of course you’d have a lawyer in your pocket,” she sneered. “You have everything, don’t you, Mr. VanRyan? The family, the friends, the wealth. Pretending your life is perfect. That you’re perfect, when we both know you’re anything but.”

I knew she disliked me. Perhaps hated me. But the venom in her voice stunned me. Before I could speak, Katy stood beside me, her voice clear and stern.

“Watch how you speak to my husband, young lady. You know nothing about him or our family. A shirt and some angry words from your mother prove nothing.”

Ashley’s eyes widened. Luc slipped his arm around her, murmuring something to her.

I cleared my throat, still struggling with everything she said. Trying to place the name that seemed familiar but had no memories attached to it that I could grasp. Almond-shaped dark eyes flashing with anger came to mind, but that was all. Nothing else.

“Halton is a member of this family. He isn’t in my pocket,” I said.

“Whatever,” she said dismissively.

“You have been shooting daggers at me since I met you,” I said, sounding calm, even though I felt anything but. “I understand why now, but anger and pointing fingers isn’t the way to solve this. I think Halton’s right, and maybe we need to meet under other circumstances than a gathering following my daughter’s wedding.”

I knew my choice of words was wrong as I watched the anger flare in her eyes again.

“Oh yes. Playing the doting father to the ones you choose to love. How sweet.”

“Enough!” Maddox roared. “You know nothing about him or the kind of man he is. And until this moment, he had no idea you existed. I suggest you calm down. In fact, I insist you leave our property. When you’re ready to talk—”

I held up my hand, stopping him.