“He’s really sorry about what he did.” Sydney’s expression shifted to one of surprise. “Hey, did you know Cillian visited him? Warren couldn’t believe it.”
“Yes, Cillian told me.”
“Warren was afraid he was going to yell at him or something.”
Victoria smiled. Cillian had told her that he’d shared the Gospel with Warren, telling him how his sins could be forgiven, and he could be set free, even while in jail. Warren hadn’t come to faith yet, but Cillian intended to visit him again.
“I plan to visit Warren, too, now that I’m feeling better.” Victoria still had residual pain from scar tissue and a generalized weakness from inactivity, but she would keep at her recovery program and return to full strength soon.
“Wow, really? That’s super nice.”
“You know what I always say.”
“It’s not you.” Sydney smiled. “It’s Christ in you.”
“Exactly.” Victoria gave the girl’s hand a pat, then swiveled her head to check for her father before he could duck out.
He wasn’t apt to stay long. There he was, already walking toward the entryway.
“Leaving already, Dr. Weston?” Cillian’s question halted her father.
“I’ll talk to you again later.” Victoria touched Sydney’s shoulder as she stood and brushed past to hurry toward Dad and Cillian. As unlikely and volatile a pair as one could wish to see. And more alike than either would care to admit. Though Cillian’s realization of those similarities, in the negative aspects, may have saved his life, sending him to the feet of Christ.
Victoria came alongside Cillian, drawing her father’s guarded stare. “Dad, could I speak with you in the other room, please?”
He transferred his gaze from her to Cillian, then back again. “I only have a few minutes.”
“Wonderful. Let’s go in Robert’s office.” She hooked her arm through Cillian’s, glancing up at him as they led the way to the office located off the foyer.
He placed his hand on hers where it rested on his arm, the loving, confident expression in his eyes reassuring her and giving her strength.
Thank the Lord they had learned that Marsha Faint, the woman who had sued her father for malpractice, had not actually been intimidated or mistreated by anyone. Cillian had told Victoria about his investigation and his intentions to use the findings against her dad to help her. But he’d learned that poor Mrs. Faint suffered from schizophrenia and had conjured the entire story while off her medication. Without that information, Victoria and Cillian might have had to hold an even more difficult conversation with her dad. Although this one would be quite hard enough for Victoria.
She walked to the center of the office, then turned with Cillian to face her father.
Dad stepped inside the doorway and stopped, folding his arms across his chest. “I suppose this is where you two tell me you’re getting married, whether I like it or not.”
Victoria shot Cillian a startled gaze.
But he simply grinned at her and then her dad. “Hadn’t gotten quite that far yet, but now that you mention it?—”
“Cillian.” She reached her other hand over to squeeze his forearm. That was not what she’d said she was going to discuss with her father. And Cillian was supposed to be a silent supporter during this conversation.
He pressed his lips closed, but a twinkle still lit his eyes as he looked down at her.
She returned her focus to her dad. “I need to tell you something that you should know. I didn’t tell you before because of the havoc I knew it would cause our family. But now, I believe it’s time that you know what happened.” She drew in a breath, meeting Dad’s measured gaze.
Cillian put his hand on hers again.
“Sixteen years ago, the night Mom passed away, I wasn’t with her as I let you believe.”
No reaction. Dad didn’t even blink.
“I had gone out with Cillian. We were only gone for thirty minutes, but when I returned…” Her throat closed. Or perhaps the lump expanding there filled the space.
Cillian released her arm and slid his around her back instead, anchoring and holding her.
“When I returned, she was gone. I hoped she passed in her sleep, as I told you she did. But I can’t know for certain because…I let her die alone.” She forced herself to keep a steady gaze on her father. “I’m so sorry, Dad.”
