Page 72 of The Addendum

“Good.”

Katy shook her head. “You don’t mean that, Gracie. You’re just upset right now.”

“Did you abandon her, Dad? I mean, you tell us all the time you were an asshole before you met Mom. Did you knock up her mother and walk away? Have you known all this time and just hoped it never came out?”

I was shocked at the flare of anger that went through me. “No, I did not,” I said, tapping the top of the table. “You know me better than that. You know the kind of father I am.”

“But I don’t know how much of a bastard you were before. How many other past mistakes are suddenly going to show up?”

Katy gasped and I stood, my rage so hot it burned and sizzled under my skin. My voice was cold and removed when I spoke.

“I know you’re distraught, Grace. I know all this has come as a shock. It fucking has to me too. And your mother. Yes, I was an asshole. Selfish. But I didn’t know about Ashley. If I had, I would have sought out her mother and helped them. Your mother taught me how to love, and that would have included an innocent child.” I leaned forward, bracing my hands on the table. “She is still innocent and under the misguided notion I abandoned them. It hurt enough to know she thought that, still thinks that, but to hear you question it?” I shook my head as my throat felt thick.

“I’m sorry I had to tell you this. I’m sorry I wasn’t the man I am now back then. I made mistakes. But this is on me, not her. She is not the villain here. The bottom line is, you have a half sister. What happens between her and me is up in the air. What happens between her and all of you? That is between you. But the Grace I know would open her heart and her arms and try.”

I straightened. “Maybe that Grace will show up once you get over being angry.”

She didn’t say anything, her foot pumping in vexation and her gaze frosty.

“I think you should go home now,” I added, my heart breaking at saying those words. “When you want to talk, I’m here.” I softened my voice. “I’m always here, Gracie. That will never change. My love for you will never change.”

I saw the tears build in her eyes, but she didn’t back down.

“Have you told the others?”

“I will later today. I am going to meet Reed and Heather at the airport and talk to them when they get back. I would appreciate it if you didn’t reach out to any of them before I have the chance.”

For a moment, she wavered. I saw her inner indecision. Then she stood.

“I won’t. God forbid I steal your thunder, Richard,” she snapped and walked out of the kitchen. The door slamming behind her echoed in the silence.

I sat down, my legs shaking with the effort of holding my body upright.

“Go after her, Jaxson,” I said. “She needs you.”

He stood. “She’ll come around,” he said, but even he sounded unsure. It seemed her vehemence had startled him as well.

I nodded, closing my eyes. I had never heard Gracie so furious. So cold and biting. Her intense words echoed in my head.

I heard the door shut and felt Katy’s arms wrap around me. I turned into her embrace, exhausted and spent.

By gaining another child, had I just lost my closest daughter?

What would happen when I told the others?

It was a thought I couldn’t bear.

22

RICHARD

Later that afternoon, I told Penny, Gavin, and Matthew on a joint Zoom call. Heather was still on her honeymoon, and I didn’t want to interrupt that. I would tell her when she arrived home.

Once again, Katy was beside me, calm and supportive. Gavin frowned at my news, shaking his head when Penny asked if he recalled meeting her at Heather’s wedding.

“Sorry, Princess Peepee, I was busy dancing with my wife and having a good time. I vaguely recall meeting a pretty girl with Luc—” he admitted, scratching his head — “but nothing concrete. She was tall, I think.”

“Stop calling me that.”