Page 74 of Ice Cold Christmas

“I wanted to have one last goodbye with him. Dario wanted to push about changes to the will.” What Dario didn’t get—those changes had been made with Amaya’s assistance long ago. There was nothing left to inherit.

But they hadn’t discussed the will or any future plans because the Ghost of Christmas Past had walked through their door.

“He’s dying.” Not a question this time from Melody. A statement. Sadness. Her hand fell onto the seat.

Victor nodded. “I’m sorry, baby.” There was more he should tell her. But, fuck, he’d just broken her heart, and he knew it. Couldn’t the rest wait?

She didn’t make a sound, but Victor reached out anyway. His fingers skimmed her right cheek. He felt her tears. “Melody…”

“I don’t know him,” she said. “Don’t remember him. So why does it hurt so much?”

He pulled her onto his lap. Wrapped his arms around her. And held her against his heart.

Sebastian Mage stared out his bedroom window. He stared into the darkness.

He’d thought that Melody was home. He’d asked to see her. Been so excited…

But his nurse had told him Melody was gone. He must have gotten confused again. Melody…she’d been gone a long time.

So had her mother. Her beautiful, lying mother.

His hand pressed to the window pane. So cold.

“It’s really late, Sebastian.”

Ah, the nurse. He looked over his shoulder. Light spilled around her, making the blonde look like an angel. To him, she was an angel. Always helping him. Always looking out for him. Softly reminding him when he forgot things.

Things like…names.

Places.

Who the hell I am.

Sebastian Mage. I am Sebastian Mage.

“Melody is gone,” he told her.

“Yes, but she’ll be back.”

No. “She’s been gone a long time. Dario says she’s dead.” He could remember that. Dario, in his den. Saying that he had to change the will because Melody was never coming home. “I wanted to give her everything.”

“You wanted your daughter to have your fortune.” She nodded.

What was her name? He struggled to remember. But it had been such a long day. Had the sheriff been there?

No, no, surely not. The sheriff must have been there another time. One of the many times when Sebastian had wanted to find Melody. “I wanted my daughter to have everything.” He saw her picture on the dresser. A young Melody, in a black ballerina tutu.

Her mother had been a dancer before she’d become an actress.

Such an incredible actress. The critics had never given her enough credit for her talent. She even fooled me.

“You need to get in bed, Sebastian.”

His gaze lingered on the photo. “I loved her.”

“Melody?”

No. “My wife.” He shuffled toward the bed. His right hand gripped a cane. He needed that cane. Sometimes, he fell. Didn’t he?