Page 125 of A Convenient Secret

All of us file out of the room, and that sense of belonging that has been growing inside me for weeks now blossoms as I look at our little unit.

A family I never thought I would find.

“Where is your car, Mom?” Declan asks as he opens the doors of his, watching the twins climb in.

“It will be here any moment.” She bends to wave at the kids. “Zoya, you were phenomenal. I can’t wait for our vacation.”

“Bye, Gwanny.” Zoya sends her an air kiss.

“I’m glad you could come.” Declan gives his mother a peck on her cheek.

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“It was nice to see you, again, Dorothy.” I step toward the open door.

“Actually, Lily, can I have a word?” Dorothy stops me.

Declan frowns. “What’s going on?”

“Just get in and wait a moment. I won’t keep her long.” Dorothy weaves her arm through mine.

Declan hesitates, but after a moment gets into his car.

His mother smiles at me. “We don’t have much time, my dear, but I wanted to ask you for an explanation.”

What’s going on? Can I survive more pressure today? “An explanation?”

“Not to me, but Declan deserves to know.”

She knows? What does she know? It’s a good thing she has her arm through mine, because I might just collapse right here.Think, Lily, think.

“I have a dear friend in London, Lady Beatrice Fitzpatrick…” She pauses, expecting the name to be familiar.

And it is very familiar.

Dorothy knows who I am.

When I remain silent, she continues, “You see, Ishowed Beatrice pictures from that gala. Those were the newest photos of my boys.”

I let things go too far. But also, we let things go too far. This woman—Declan’s mother, Zoya and Zach’s grandmother—doesn’t know we are married.

Not that after the exposé, and Declan’s not-so-subtle “she’s with me”, Manhattan society won’t assume we’re a couple.

But married? In secret? Behind everyone’s back? As a business transaction?

I left my previous life because I didn’t want to let my father down. And I’m doing just that in this life.

“I will talk to him.” I want to explain myself, and at the same time run away from this conversation.

“Thank you. I don’t know why you’re hiding who you truly are, and it’s none of my business. But my son and my grandchildren are my business, so please, don’t keep secrets from Declan. He’s been burned by a woman before, and I see how he looks at you. He looks at you like you’re his second chance. Are you?”

I swallow again, tears rimming around my eyes. God, I want to be his only chance. He is mine for sure.

“Just tell him who you are, Liliana Spinelli.” She studies me for a moment and then perks up, letting go of the heaviness of the conversation. “Ah, there’s my car.” She kisses both my cheeks like we’re best friends and leaves.

The heaviness of the conversation stays behind. I stare at her disappearing car, mourning the simple life of Lily Thorne. Desperately wishing she wasn’t the heiress who, once discovered, would need to return to her heritage or fight to stay away. Let’s hope Declan is ready to fight along with me.

I felt helpless and out of control for so long. I will never cross that line again.