My dad’s brows furrow. “Yeah, sure.”
Jensen turns, and I quickly shut my eyes. When I peek again, he’s pulled a chair close to the bed and is sitting—bent forward, elbows on his knees.
“Listen, Craig, I know I’m probably the last person you want to see or talk to. You don’t even know me. But I’ve got a list. People I need to talk to. You’re on it.” He clears his throat. “I’mworking through the steps. One of them is making amends with the people I’ve hurt.”
“I’m very aware of the steps, son. And I appreciate what you’re doing. But I hardly know you. You don’t owe me anything.”
Jensen’s head falls. I watch his shoulders rise and fall. He rubs a hand over his mouth. Then he lifts his gaze again and meets my dad’s eyes. “Yes, I do. I hurt your daughter. And no words will ever make up for what I’ve done. Nothing I do can erase the hell I put her through.” His voice cracks. “But I want you to know I’ll spend the rest of my life trying. If she’ll let me. There’s nothing I want more than to show her how much she means to me. How much I’ve changed.”
He leans back in the chair. “Anyway… I don’t expect forgiveness. Not from you. Not even from her. But I needed to say that. To let you know how sorry I am. And I hope I can have your blessing—to at least earn the chance to be in her life again.”
My dad’s face is somber and serious. He’s listening, and every line etched into his skin shows it. The corners of his mouth twitch briefly before settling again. “I know how sorry you are. And I know you never meant to hurt her. I also know you love her.”
He presses the button on the side of the bed, sitting up a little straighter. “I’ve been in your shoes. And because of that, I can’t knowingly give you my blessing.”
Jensen’s shoulders sag.
“But I also won’t discourage it.” His tone softens. “You’re your own man. A good one, at that. You come with your demons and your battles, but I understand it’s your duty to love her. Protect her. Make her happy.”
He draws in a shaky breath. “You made promises. And you broke them. You hurt her.” His lips tremble, and his voice cracks. I struggle to keep my own eyes dry. “God knows youhurt her.” He cries now. The tears fall freely, his voice choking. “Goddamn, you put her through the same thing I put her mother through. And I hate you for it. I really do.”
Yeah, there’s no point trying to hold back tears. Not with my dad crying. Not when every word he says cuts like it’s for me, too.
I can’t see Jensen’s face from here, but I catch a hand lifting to it—maybe gripping his jaw, or covering his mouth. I’m not sure.
My dad swipes at his cheek, and it’s so raw—so beautiful in its own way, seeing him like this. Being a father in a way I didn’t know he was capable of until recently. Defending me. Loving me.God, it kills me.
My dad exhales shakily, voice quieter now. “But my hell, does that girl love you.” His eyes stay locked on Jensen’s. “Alley’s her own woman. A smart one. She’s always had a good head on her shoulders, and I trust her to find her own happiness. I’m not going to tell you what you can or can’t do. You do what you need to do as a man. As a husband. She’ll make her own choice. Whether that’s you or someone else.”
The room falls silent. For a long time.
I don’t know if Jensen doesn’t have the words, or if he’s too choked up to say them.
Finally, his voice breaks through the stillness. “Thank you, sir. For saying that. Because, what kind of man would I be if I didn’t fight for her?”
“The kind that realizes what’s best for Alley might not be what’s best for you.” My dad says quietly. “And if you really love her, you’ll be brave enough to let her decide.”
I press a hand to my chest, trying to steady the ache.
God, Dad.
He always knows exactly what to say. I close my eyes, the weight of his words settling in the room.
Jensen wanted permission.
But Dad gave me the power.
Chapter Sixteen
JENSEN
“It’s not you,Jensen. This CFO’s riding my ass like he gets off on it—calls, emails, budget reviews at seven a.m. He’s fucking relentless about cutting costs. I can’t afford you anymore.”
Priya takes a long sip of her negroni, still holding the glass as she adds, “It’s either cut ties with you or start firing people. Something’s gotta give.”
My eyes follow the glass as she sets it down. It doesn’t bother me that she has a drink and I don’t. It’s getting easier, and a flicker of pride pulses through me.
“Look, Priya, you know I don’t hand out freebies like candy. But I cleared it with my team. You renew, and we’ll knock fifteen percent off if you sign before the end of the month.” I pause, letting that land as I reach for my water. “I’ll also upgrade your package to include predictive insights and assign you direct support from our Chicago hub. That alone saves your ops team hours every week.”
