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A bubble-like pressure deflates in my chest and I can’t control the lone tear that escapes my eye. “I’m sorry, Uncle. I’m so sorry I’m the daughter of the woman who caused you so much pain. So sorry.”
He erases the distance between us and wraps me in a fatherly hug. Uncle Henry is an aristocrat through and through, so showing any emotion is blasphemy, but he’s patting my head now.
And I cry like a baby.
I cry for losing him. For thinking he always wanted to get rid of me.
“It’s not your fault, Nicole. I’m the one who’s sorry I let hatred blind me from what’s important.” He pulls back, smiling. “It took losing you to realize you’re my daughter as much as Astrid is.”
“Uncle…”
“You can call me Papa or Dad, as Astrid does, whenever you’re ready.”
“You really forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive. What Victoria has done is on her. You were a victim, too.”
“But…but Astrid doesn’t like me.”
“It’s because she only saw the mean side of you. She’ll get around as Daniel has.”
I bite my lower lip. “I don’t think he’s come around.”
He just likes the sex. He said it himself, that he enjoys fucking me out of his system.
A knowing smile covers Uncle Henry’s lips. “Yes, he has. But if he hurts you, just let me know.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you for giving me another chance.” He kisses the top of my head. “Welcome back home.”
My heartbeat roars in my ears and that’s not good for my stupid heart because it’s starting to believe this happiness is real.
28
DANIEL
Itake a sip of the horrible coffee that definitely doesn’t have one gram of sugar and obsess over Astrid’s house with the impatience of a toddler.
It’s been exactly two minutes since Nicole and Uncle Henry disappeared in there, and yes, I’m actually counting the time, because that’s also how long I kept myself from following after and making sure she’s fine.
“You’re drooling.”
My eyes meet Astrid’s narrowed ones and I resist the urge to grunt because that will definitely give her the reaction she’s asking for, and that shit won’t be happening.
“And you’re heading to the old hag category faster than an express train.”
Searing pain explodes in my leg when Levi kicks me under the table. “No talking to my wife that way unless you want your head hanging on her art studio’s entrance.”
“Glad to see you’re still a crazy motherfucker, Captain. Let’s hope the spawns don’t inherit that.”
Levi shares a look with his wife. “Did this cunt just call our children spawns, Princess?”
“He’s jealous.” She glides her fingers through his hair.
“Of what, exactly? Giving birth as a sport or changing nappies?” I take another sip of the coffee.
They ignore me and Astrid kisses his lips.
