Page 142 of Marrying the Billionaire Single Dad

Would you know me

If I saw you from afar?

Would it be the same

If you held my hand again?

I must stay on

And live as if it counts,

Even though nothing matters

Now that you are gone.

For I won’t see you run across a field,

Grow up to become a teen,

Smile up at me

As I kiss you goodnight.

I’ll move forward,

Through seconds, minutes, days…

'Cause I know I just can’t stay

Hidden behind the veil.

Time. Will it heal?

Can it conceal?

Will it allow me to embrace

What you meant to me?

Can I ever forgive myself

For not knowing you better?

He stops playing, stares into the camera. "My name is Damian Savage, and I am a failed rock star. I was also once a father." He swallows, "I lost my daughter, Riley, in a car crash that also killed her mother."

I gasp. Oh, my God, he’s sharing his story with the entire world.

"That was a year ago." The tendons of his throat flex. "I have mourned her since. I opted to stay in my grief, unable to let go of her memories and move on. I was on a path to self-implosion until an angel crossed my path."

I clap my palm to my mouth. Oh, wow, what is he saying? What is he doing?

His lips kick up, "She was the most incredible thing that had happened to me in a long time. One look at her and I was gone. I knew she was it for me. The chance to crawl out of the darkness I had spent so long in." He pauses, "But you know me." He raises his arm. "Asshole that I am, I fucked it up." He grips the neck of his guitar. "I hurt her. I allowed my flower to wither without keeping up my promise to protect her from the elements. I failed her."

A ball of emotions chokes my throat.

"I walked away from her. I broke her heart. I failed myself." His jaw tics. "You told me, Flower, that I was a coward, that I could not face up to the reality of my emotions." He draws in a breath, "You’re right." He leans forward, the skin around his eyes stretching. "This is me saying that you were absolutely, 100% accurate. About everything." He chuckles. "I suck, babe. I am not worthy of your attention. Not at all… But if you’re listening to this, and I hope you are... And if anything in what I said strikes a chord, then come to me." He seems to choke, "I’ll be waiting." He swallows. "I love you."

The camera switches off.