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“You can tell me anything, Cori.” He brushed away a strand of hair that clung to her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “I promise not to hate you.”
Cori nodded and sat back on the couch, pulling her hands away and folding them in front of her. She didn’t meet his eyes as she spoke, “I spent the day with Morgan today. We took Tyler for a bike ride, and he had a great time.”
He knew that wasn’t why she was crying, but he’d let her tell the story as she needed to. “That sounds like a nice way to spend a Saturday.”
“It was. When we were done, we went back to her house and... talked for a while.”
Talked?He knew that was dangerous. Morgan wasn’t one to hold back, and she surely didn’t believe in secrets. It wasn’t if Morgan said anything, it was what she told Cori. “What did you talk about?” He could see Cori’s fingers tremble as she became even more nervous. He knew Morgan wouldn’t lie, so whatever was said, at least it was true. That didn’t mean it was any less ugly. “Cori, please sweetheart, just trust and believe. I won’t hate you.” I never could. You’re ingrained in my soul.
For the first time, she looked at him. “She told me about Shaun’s mother. About all the mothers.” Her torment started again as fresh tears ran down her cheeks.
Logan had to admit, he wasn’t ready to discuss that with her. Not now and maybe never. It was something he avoided even thinking about. Our mothers. My mother. And what my father did. How was he going to explain to her what was still such a raw wound deep in him? He did the impossible for so many but how a family heals from such horrific things was still a mystery.
“Cori, I know that must’ve... been quite a surprise to you.”
“You mean shock. Total disbelief, it’s so sad, but I know it’s true,” she choked out.
He nodded. “I wish it wasn’t. I’m not sure what is worse, knowing the truth or living without the answers.”
Cori reached out and touched his hand. He wanted to shut down and change the subject. It’s how he’d handled this so far with his siblings. Maybe it was a good thing she’d heard it from Morgan. He’d thought about what it’d be like to have to say the words to her. They were words the rest of his family exchanged with their spouses, but until now, he didn’t have anyone he thought he could share this with or who’d help him carry the ache. From the look in Cori’s eyes, she was that person.
They’d never exchanged word of love, but he knew, just knew, that somewhere through this crazy life they’d both been living, they’d found their perfect match. It was ironic that this revelation was taking place during one of the most painful conversations he’d ever had. Maybe that’s why I can, because I need to be strong for us both.
“I’m glad Morgan told you, Cori. There wasn’t any way I could have gotten those words out. That man has, in one lifetime, hurt more people than anyone can count. Destroyed the lives of women and their families and never blinked an eye. How could he bring such... evil to a country that had been built on family values and people helping each other? Instead, he showed them what money and power could buy. Their virgin daughters.” He knew his tone reflected only a shadow of the disgust that ran through every cell of his being.
Her eyes were wide, and she sat silently watching him. Did she hate him for being the son of such a bastard? Logan couldn’t blame her if she did. Too many times he looked in the mirror and hated himself. They weren’t his deeds, his sins, yet he carried them internally.
“Even before I knew—any of us knew—what our father had done to Tabiq, I’d dedicated my life to helping others. That’s why I became a surgeon, to help heal physical pain, even if I couldn’t fix the emotional aspect. It was where I buried all my own afflictions. After Bennett uncovered the truth, I knew I could spend the rest of my life performing surgeries and never come close to making up for what James had done.”
Cori said softly, “You’re not James.”
“No I’m not, but I’m a Henderson. My existence is based on someone else’s pain. I know I didn’t do it, but subconsciously I can’t bring myself to meet my mother. If she can ever be found that is. I’m sure Morgan told you that Bennett hasn’t been able to locate her.”
She shook her head. He’d figured that was part of the reason why she’d been crying, for him. The entire situation had been enough to break even the strongest person. If you have a heart that beats, how could it not feel all this?
“That doesn’t mean he won’t find her.”
That’s what he wanted to hear, but he somehow knew that wasn’t going to happen. Bennett had traced her to being brought to the US and delivering him. Nothing after that. “No one has ever seen or heard from her again. Somehow I know it has to do with me.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Bennett found the midwife who’d been on my father’s payroll all those years ago. She told him that the woman, my mother, had refused to give up her child. She fought kicking and screaming and said she’d die before letting me go. Here I am, and she’s nowhere to be found. What else can I assume? My father never would’ve risked her coming back after me. I know he did something to her because she wanted me that much.”
“I don’t know what to say, Logan. It’s got to be...”
He understood her lack of ability to come up with the right word. Even for a journalist, it’s impossible to find the right way to describe this.
That was when something clicked. Cori wanted the big story, one that would rocket her to the top. This sure as hell would. Every news station and paper would be fighting for this.
“You wanted an interview, and this is what you found. The Henderson name makes women and children cower and hide. We’re monsters.” His voice was filled with bitterness. Bitterness toward her, his father, his grandmother... anyone associated with why he was so fucked up. He’d been slowly lowering his walls with her. Allowing her in to see what made him tick. But if she printed this story, if she told the world how evil the Hendersons actually were, there would be no future for them. Somehow, what should have made his future certain held no sway over what he felt now. Protect yourself first. He was going to lose the one person he loved because he didn’t know how to do anything but push people away. You can’t hurt them and they can’t hurt you that way.
Cori sat back with a look of surprise on her face. “I can’t believe you think that I’d... that I could ever share that with anyone.”
“Cori, you’re a reporter who found me for this exact reason. So tell me, what has changed? Not interested in becoming an instant celebrity and making a boatload of money doing it?” Logan got up. It was all too real for him. He needed to go for a walk or a drive or anything. This conversation was suffocating him; he needed space.
When he got to the door, he saw the pink roses he’d brought for her. Picking them up, he remembered why he got them.
Because I’m so damn happy she’s in my life.
