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She’d brought this on herself.
Iwas the aggrieved party.
But I wouldn’t lie to myself either. I didn’t play nice to get what I wanted. I couldn’t use that as an excuse. I was who I was.
Everyone could take it or leave it.
She brought the mug to her lips with shaky hands. Some of the liquid sloshed onto her hand, though she didn’t seem to feel it.
“I did the right thing.” She seemed to be speaking to herself.
“I strongly beg to differ.” How did I sound so in control?
In a way, I was still careening off that cliff. And in another, I’d hit the bottom and was lying in the wreckage.
Daughter.
I had a daughter. One who had some of my traits despite I’d only just met her.
I’d never wanted children. Normally the thought of them made me shudder.
Now that one had been thrust upon me, it was as if a switch had flipped. A determined fire lit in me to show her I was innocent in this mess too. That I wanted whatever time she was willing to give me . . . preferably a lot.
What did she like? What did she hate? Did she like pizza? Why had she chosen the law as a career path? Was she a people person? Was she happy? What could I do to support her dreams?
“I-I’m not ready for this.”
Something about the vulnerability in JoJo’s voice stabbed at my chest. Was my heart already less hard because of Penelope? Because I was a father?
But my anger took over.Shewasn’t ready for this? She’d had a long time to prepare.
I supposed after lying for so long, it was difficult to face the truth.
“Too bad.” I took her tea and set it beside her. “Tell me how you ended up with my daughter.”
CHAPTERSIX
JOJO
Spots dotted my vision.
And it wasn’t from the tears I so desperately wanted to release.
Everything I’d believed so certainly for so long was crumbling. The ground beneath my feet was shaky at best.
Would Penelope forgive me for this?
Once she’d had time for the truth to settle in, would she hate me?
Kane clearly did . . . and it bothered me.
There was a time I’d have been happy that he did. Or at least I thought I would have been.
But he was hurt. And angry.
And he didn’t shy away from his emotions.
He didn’t shy away from Penelope.
