Page 54 of The Addendum

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Ashley came in, her shoulders back, her head held high. Not unexpectedly, Luc was with her, his hand holding hers. She was lovely, dressed impeccably, looking calm, although her eyes were anxious. I stood, as did Katy, nodding in greeting to them.

“Luc, Ashley,” I said.

Luc held out his hand, and I shook it. Ashley remained out of reach, and I didn’t offer her my hand, already knowing she didn’t want to engage with me.

We all sat down, and Halton looked between us, his voice level and calm. “We all know why we’re here. I have the test results, and it won’t come as a shock to you, Ashley, that Richard is your father.” He slid a piece of paper her way. “This shows a confirmed match. I have already informed him.”

She took the paper, her hand shaking. She studied the words and information, then nodded.

Halton sat back. “How would you like to proceed, Ashley?”

“Are you asking in your professional capacity?” she responded, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

He spread his hands. “I’m here as a concerned member of the family, of which you are now a part, I might add. Richard hasn’t hired me in any capacity, except to facilitate the meeting.”

Her eyes flew to mine, for the first time our gazes connecting fully. I saw the wariness and anxiety in them. The same I was sure as she saw in mine. I cleared my throat and spoke.

“Ashley, I know all this has come as a shock to you. It has to me as well.” I leaned forward, earnest. “I didn’t know your mother was pregnant.”

“Why would she lie to me?”

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “She was right about one thing. The man I was when she knew me was cold. Unfeeling. I wasn’t a nice person, and I suppose she was protecting you from me.”

“What changed?” she challenged me.

“I met Katy. Fell in love. Became a different person.”

She rolled her eyes. “Love changed you?” she questioned. “How Hallmark.”

“I don’t know about Hallmark, but I know Katy being in my life made me a better man.”

“I don’t know if I believe you. My mother was an honest person. She never lied to me.”

“She did in this case.”

She shook her head. “You expect me to believe you?”

“No,” I said. “I don’t. You don’t know me. All you know is the hate you feel. The hate your mother’s lies fed into all these years.”

“Don’t you dare say a bad word about my mother,” she snarled.

I held up my hands. “I’m not. I’m stating my truth, just as you’re stating yours.”

She sat forward, her hands clenched. “My truth is I grew up without a father. Watched my mother struggle. I never felt the security of a family. My truth is very different from your other children’s.”

I reined in my temper. “Again, I didn’t know.”

“And what would you have done if you did?”

I was honest. “Back then, nothing emotional. I would have given your mother money. I like to think once you were older and I had matured, I would have sought you out. Tried to help. Perhaps attempted to build a relationship with you.” I sat back, studying her. “I don’t know, Ashley. We were both lied to and never got that chance.”

Her hands curled into fists. “Don’t you dare,” she spat.

Luc curled his hands around hers. “Ashley,” he murmured.

She shook off his touch. “I will not hear my mother disparaged.”