“Maybe not. But Casey deserves a father who puts her first. Who shows her that love means sacrifice. Who doesn’t let her grow up thinking she’s someone to be hidden or apologized for.”
Palisade covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking. I pulled her into my arms, and she collapsed against my chest.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry for all of it. For keeping her from you, for the years you missed, for this entire mess.”
“I know.” I held her tighter, resting my chin on top of her head. “I know you are.”
“Then why are you doing this? Why are you risking everything?”
I pulled back enough to tilt her face up to mine. “You want the truth? The real, messy, complicated truth?”
She nodded, searching my eyes.
“Because I’m in love with you,” I said. “Still. After everything. Despite everything. I’m in love with the woman who disappeared seven years ago, and I’m in love with the woman standing in front of me now. And I hate it. I hate that I can’t just be angry. I hate that I can’t walk away. But I can’t. Because you’re not just Casey’s mother. You’re the woman I want to build a life with, even though you drive me crazy, even though I’m still processing the lies, even though every rational part of my brain says I should protect my career first.”
Palisade stared at me, fresh tears streaming down her face. “You… you love me?”
“Yeah, Sadie. I love you. I’m furious with you, and I love you. And tomorrow I’m going to stand in front of cameras and make that very clear to everyone watching.”
“Because of Casey,” she said, and there was something brittle in her voice. “You’re doing this because I’m Casey’s mother.”
“No.” I cupped her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. “I’m doing this for you, Palisade Honors. Seven years ago, you were the first person who made me think maybe I could be more than what my father raised me to be. Watching you with Casey makes me believe in the family I never thought I couldhave. When I think about my future, you’re in it. Not just as a co-parent. As the woman I love.”
“You’re still angry,” she said.
“I am. But I’m also in love. And I’m learning that sometimes you don’t get to wait until everything’s resolved to make the big choices. Sometimes you have to choose while you’re still angry, still hurt, still figuring it all out. And I’m choosing you. Us. This messy, complicated, imperfect thing we’re building.”
She reached up, her hand trembling as she touched my face. “I’m in love with you, too. I never stopped. Even when I convinced myself I didn’t deserve to be, even when I thought you’d hate me forever, I never stopped loving you.”
The distance between us disappeared. Our lips met in a kiss that tasted like tears and promises and unspoken words. It wasn’t gentle. It was desperate, hungry, full of all the anger and love and fear we’d been holding onto.
When we broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
“I don’t know how to do this,” Palisade admitted, her forehead pressed against mine. “How to be loved by someone who’s still angry at me. How to trust that you won’t change your mind.”
“You’ll figure it out, eventually.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead, gentle and brief. “When you do, maybe you’ll stop looking at me like you’re waiting for me to leave.”
“Old habits.”
“Then we’ll build new ones.”
I pulled back reluctantly, already missing her warmth. “I’ll call you after I issue the statement tomorrow. Let you know how it goes.”
“Will Casey see it?”
“The whole world will see it.” I managed a tired smile. “But especially Casey. That’s kind of the point.”
Palisade nodded, wrapping her arms around herself again. “Be careful, Easton. Once you say it publicly, you can’t take it back.”
“I know.” I headed for the door, then paused. “Sadie? I meant what I said. About working through this together. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Even if you’re still angry?”
“Even then.”
I left her standing on the porch, went back inside to say goodnight to Casey, and headed to my truck. Tomorrow, I’d issue the statement that would either save my family or tank my career.
Probably both.
