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“Betty-Sue has always done right by her little girl, I know you'll do the same.” Coughing hard and forcefully, he dug around his side and pulled out a cloth to cover his mouth. “I need you to do me a favor, Jayden.” Holding out his hand, he closed his eyes briefly. “I know how we ended things before, but this is important.”

“What is it?”

“Take care of my girls for me when I'm gone—all of them.” His cough deepened, and he seemed to labor for a breath. “I need to know they'll be alright.”

“Of course, I'll do anything for them.”

“Thank you, Jayden.” Nodding, he laid his arm over his chest, his lids getting heavy.

This man wasn't the monster I had seen him as. He was just a man who wanted the best for his daughter. How could I fault him for that?

I couldn't say I wouldn't do the same if I was in his shoes. But now I had a daughter of my own, and that love for her already started to flow through my veins the second I knew she was a piece of me.

Watching Greg as he dosed in and out of sleep, I realized just how quickly life could change. It felt like just yesterday this man was ready to tear my head off, now he was ill, asking me to care for his family.

All the hate I had, all the anger and rage I felt for what he did to us, it all melted away. Holding onto it did no good for me or anyone else. Greg was just a dad doing what dads are expected to do, protect their children.

I have a daughter to protect now.

The thought made my nerves run wild. I had people who would be counting on me to always do the right thing, to protect them, to encourage them, to teach and laugh and guide.

That was a scary thought, but it was an even scarier reality.

So I sat with Greg in silence, knowing that once I walked out that door everything would change.

Change had waited this long, it could wait a few more minutes for me to catch up with it.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Blue

––––––––

My eyes were lockedon the door as I sat in the recliner in the living room.

What are they saying?