Chapter Eleven
Alexis sipped the bitter vending machine coffee that Norris had brought her, with a promise he’d bring her a better brew when the cafeteria opened.
She barely tasted it anyway. Her heart shattered for Trey, and the abrupt change in life he faced. All she knew to do was pray for him and stand by him as he travelled this journey. She’d called her family and appraised them of the situation. They’d all promised to pray, and she knew they would.
With Norris’s help, she’d gotten the phone number of the friend who had Truffles and explained the situation. The friend was happy to keep Truffles for as long as Trey needed.
Then she’d called Trey’s assistant, again with the help of Norris giving her the proper contact information. Without knowing it, Trey’s schedule had been cleared for the next two weeks.
She heard footsteps and looked up.
Trey approached her. His eyes were red, and he had bags under them that hadn’t been there an hour ago. “It’s bad, Lexi. Really bad. He must have been really good at hiding it because I can’t fathom how he went down so fast.”
“I’m so sorry,” she murmured.
“He’s…he’s a changed man.” He choked up and he took a break to collect himself. “He knows you are here, and he asked to see you.”
Her defenses built in a second. “Why would he want to see me?”
“I’ll let him tell you that if you choose to see him. I understand if you don’t.”
“Would you like me to?” She put the decision in his hands, not because she couldn’t decide, but to give Trey whatever support he needed.
He nodded. “He won’t say anything to hurt you.”
“Okay. You’ll stay in there with me, though, right?” If Trey had faith in his father, she’d accept that, but she wasn’t ready to put herself in that situation alone.
“Wouldn’t dream of leaving you.”
“Let’s go.” She rose to her feet and dropped her coffee into the trash bin.
Trey wound their fingers together, and they walked the short distance. Her stomach churned with each step. She hadn’t seen Thomas Kaplan in six years, and that final encounter was forever burned into her memory.
When they first entered the room, she thought they’d had the wrong one. The man lying in the bed looked very little like the Thomas Kaplan she’d once known. Yet, upon closer examination, it was him.
“Thank you for coming in. I didn’t know if you would agree, nor would I have blamed you for running in the opposite direction.” He raised his arm weakly, beckoning her to come closer. “You’ve become even more lovely and full of grace.”
Was she hearing him correctly? She dashed a glance Trey’s way, and he responded with a discreet nod, letting her know she wasn’t imagining this. “Thank you.”
“I owe you an apology.” He coughed and became short of breath. “Trey, would you tell her what I told you please? I’m not sure I have physical strength.”
Trey squeezed her hand and relayed what his father must have told them while they had been in the room alone.
“Will you forgive me?” Thomas asked once Trey had finished.
Taking a deep breath, she held it in until her lungs hurt. Here, she faced the man who’d most caused her pain in her life. He’d belittled her, offended her, and threatened her family. But she could see his remorse was genuine, and he’d paid for his deeds with a strained relationship with most people in his life.
She had a choice to make. Continue the cycle or offer forgiveness and healing—not only for Thomas, but for her and Trey as well. Leaning over, she kissed the man’s cheek. “I forgive you.”
A weight lifted from her chest. She’d made the right decision, and she hadn’t done it to appease a dying man. She truly did forgive him.
He crooked his finger, asking her to lean down again, and then he whispered in her ear. “My son has loved you since kindergarten. What happened when you were in college was all my fault. He only tried to protect you. Please don’t hold that against him. He will need you in the days and weeks to come.”
“We’ve already talked about that and cleared the air.” She leaned in even closer and whispered in his ear for only him to hear. “I’ve loved him since kindergarten, too.”
Thomas smiled. “Take care of him, please. He’s been a good son.”
“I will.” When the tears welled in her eyes, they took her by surprise. She’d never imagined she’d cry for Thomas Kaplan. She bit her lip to keep the small sobs from escaping and stepped back.
