“I do. Sinclair’s twenty-three. And I also have a son, Sullivan. He’s twenty-nine. I had another son, but we lost him two years ago.”
Julie sucks in a breath and grips Garth’s thigh. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you. And you have my sincerest condolences over Jenny. Hallie talks of her often.”
Julie’s eyes slide to the mantelpiece above the woodburning stove. It’s lined with various framed photographs of their family. Jenny is in each one, her radiant smile shining.
“Hallie?” Garth frowns as he looks away from me for the first time and pins his eyes on his daughter.
“I know, Dad,” her voice wavers.
He looks at me with shining eyes. “You call her Hallie?”
“I do.”
“I asked him to,” Hallie says softly.
Garth nods before lifting his tea and taking a sip like he needs something to do.
“I’m a parent too, Mr. Burton. Our children’s happiness comes before all else. And I promise you that Hallie’s comes before my own as well. I know I’m older than her, but I don’t see a number when we’re together. I just see her. And I will only ever do what will make her happy. She will always have a choice. For as long as I am her choice, then I’ll look after her. And even if I no longer am, then I’ll do whatever I can to ensure she’s okay. That, I promise you.”
Her parents stare at me until Garth puts his mug back down and exhales heavily.
“The mother of your children?” he asks.
“She also passed away two years ago.”
Julie presses her fingers to her lips. “I’m so sorry.”
Hallie slides her hand onto my thigh and squeezes softly.
“My daughter can’t replace her if that’s what this is.”
“Dad,” Hallie murmurs. “It’s not like that.”
“No, she can’t. And I would never want her to. Your daughter is unique and passionate. And everything about her has enchanted me since the moment I met her. I could never compare her to anyone because there is no one like her. I’ve never felt like this before in my life about anyone. But if for a moment I didn’t think I could make Hallie happy, then I would walk away. I swear on my life. But I believe I can make her happy. She’s brought light into my life, and I’ll do everything in my power to show her how grateful I am for her every day.”
“Sterling,” Hallie whispers, emotion brimming in her eyes as she grabs my hand and interlocks our fingers.
“He lives in New York,” Julie says, her eyes on Hallie.
“I know, Mum.”
Understanding fills her mother’s eyes, and she presses her lips together and looks away.
“There’s something else I need to tell you.” Hallie exhales, and I stroke her knuckles with my thumb.
“There’s more?” her father chokes, shaking his head and looking to the ceiling. “Bloody hell.”
“Something happened a few years ago and I kept it a secret because I was scared of hurting you. And because I was ashamed. And I’ve regretted it every day since. It’s concerning Rory.”
“I saw his mother yesterday. She said he had a fall down the stairs. Black and blue, he is,” Julie says.
Hallie stiffens and her eyes dart to me. I clench my jaw as I hold her gaze, conveying all she needs to know.
“I’m sure he wasn’t being careful,” she says carefully, turning back to her parents. “But this is… this is hard for me to say, so I’m just going to come out with it.”
“You’re pregnant?” Julie gasps.
