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Pulling her wet hair up into a clip, she slid on her flip-flops and made her way downstairs. Before she could hit the landing the doorbell chimed, echoing throughout the house.
When Lily hit the bottom step, she glanced through to the foyer where Damon stood, hands in his pockets and glancing around as if he was just as uncomfortable being there as she was.
Was he here to see Jake or her?
Lily remained on the steps as Jake’s footsteps fell heavily on the hardwood floors.
“Damon,” Jake greeted. “This is a surprise.”
“I apologize for coming by so early,” Damon told him. “Is there somewhere private we can talk?”
Jake nodded. “Liz is in the back making breakfast. We can go into the living room. Should I tell her to set an extra place at the table?”
Lily gripped the banister, feeling like perhaps she should slink back upstairs and not eavesdrop on this conversation. But she didn’t move.
“I can’t stay long,” Damon replied.
Jake nodded, leading the way into the living area. Lily slid down and sat on the step, grabbing the slender post for support. Damon was here for one reason: he was either ready to forgive Jake or he was letting him go. A portion of Lily’s heart broke for Jake. Even with all the lies and deceit, she worried how he would cope if he lost his father forever. Jake was a strong, determined man, but just discovering your parent and then losing him would be crushing.
“I’m not sure if I should be worried or glad that you showed up on my doorstep.”
Damon let out a brief chuckle. Lily couldn’t see the men now, but she imagined the elderly mogul shaking his head as she’d often seen him do when he laughed.
The silence fueled the tension. Lily’s heart beat so fast, she couldn’t even imagine how Jake or Damon were feeling right now.
“To be honest I’m not sure how I feel myself,” Damon admitted. “Your latest bombshell really spun me around so fast I didn’t know how to react. But I’ve had several days to think about it.”
Nerves fluttering in her stomach, Lily closed her eyes and waited.
“I hate being played for a fool,” Damon went on. “I hate that you were that clever and I was so blinded that I didn’t see through the disguise and the act.”
“Damon—”
“Hear me out.”
Lily took in a deep breath sliding her arms around her swollen midsection.
“We were adversaries for so long and I know finding out I was your father was a blow you didn’t see coming. Your actions were made out of fear first and foremost. But I also know you’re driven to succeed. How can I fault a trait you obviously got from me?”
“I still went about this the wrong way,” Jake said, his tone low. “Once I started caring for you, the girls and Lily, I should’ve said something immediately.”
“Yes, you should’ve,” Damon agreed. “But you didn’t and what’s done is done. I believe everyone should have a second chance and I believe that being without my son for over thirty years is long enough. Life is short.”
More silence fell and Lily was dying to know what was happening in that room. She’d listened in long enough. As quietly as she could, Lily came to her feet and headed back up the steps. Once she’d closed herself in her room, she sank back against the door.
Damon had fully accepted Jake for who he was, obviously forgiving the lies and mistakes. Even though he didn’t come out and say the words, Damon wouldn’t be there if he hadn’t.
Lily didn’t know if she could be that forgiving. Yes, she figured eventually she’d forgive him. But forgiving him didn’t necessarily mean she could let him back into her life, her heart again.
Lily had only been at Jake’s estate a short time, and she struggled with her emotions for him every single moment. One second she wanted to talk to him, try to figure out if they could get beyond this hurt. The next second she wanted to leave, wanted to get away because she worried she couldn’t trust her feelings.
She wished she had the right answer and prayed for a miracle to guide her to where she needed to be.
* * *
Naps while pregnant were beyond amazing. Napping was a luxury she couldn’t afford when home in LA or on location filming, but here in Virginia where the pace was slower and she was ordered by her doctor to take it easy, Lily fully embraced a good afternoon rest.
Besides all of that, she was tired. Tired from the pregnancy, tired from the roller coaster ride they’d been on and utterly exhausted from worrying about the future of this child. After spending time on Jake’s turf, she was mentally drained and ready to pull her hair out.
