Page 98 of My Destiny

“You calling her your daughter.”

“Like it or not, it’s the truth.”

“So, you’re adamant you’re her father?”

“Yes. And when I get out of here, I plan on righting all the wrongs I committed all those years ago, including telling Kathleen.”

“Wow. You know you’re liable to end up back in here if you do that.”

He grabs hold of his side as he laughs at my response. I pity him; she’s not going to take this news well. “You’re probably right, but she has a right to know.”

“You’re a braver man than I am.”

“I’m also going to ask her for a divorce.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Those words make me happier than they should. I’ve always thought he deserved better. “I feel like I’ve waited my entire life for you to say that. Despite everything, you deserve better. You know I’ll help you out any way I can.”

“I know. It’s something I should’ve done years ago.” He sighs. “My life would’ve been so different if I had followed my heart.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Come on, you know what Kathleen’s like. It would’ve ended badly for everyone involved.”

“Well, the alternative wasn’t much better. From what Brooke tells me, life was really tough for her and her mother.”

“For years I searched for them—well, for Maree. I wasn’t even sure if she’d gone through with the pregnancy.” He bows his head, and I can feel the shame radiating off him. “Especially after what I said to her.”

“After you told her to terminate the pregnancy?”

“Yes.” He blows out a long breath. “I panicked.”

“Because you weren’t ready to be a father, or you were worried about what your wife would do?”

“My marriage to Kathleen was never based on love; it was more of a business relationship, but that still doesn’t excuse what I did.” His gaze moves back to me, and I can see the pain in his eyes. “I could’ve handled whatever backlash she handed me because I deserved it, but it was what she would’ve done to Maree that worried me most.” He pauses briefly and then a smile tugs at his lips. “She was so sweet and innocent, a lot like Brooke. You know as well as I do how brutal your aunt can be. She would’ve crucified her.” He clears his throat as he rests his head into the pillow. “I really fucked things up with Maree, and not a day has passed when I haven’t regretted my actions.”

I run my fingers through my hair as I watch him. I’m still struggling to wrap my head around all of this, and I can’t help but worry about Brooke and how this is going to affect her.

“Do you know when they’re going to let you out of here?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Soon, I hope.”

“You had us all worried. What possessed you to jump into the path of a bullet?”

“I heard screaming while I was waiting outside, but when neither you, nor Mike emerged, I knew something was wrong. That’s when I decided to enter the house. When I saw Brooke bleeding and unconscious on the floor and the gun trained on you, I knew I had to do something.”

“You were willing to sacrifice your life for us?”

“Absolutely. You’ve always been like a son to me, and Brooke, well…” He pauses briefly before continuing. “I’ve let that poor girl down her entire life, so giving my life in exchange for hers was the least I could do.”

“She’s really struggling with this you know.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“She’s fiercely loyal to her mother.”