“I am not her father, Camelia.”
She gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth. “Not her father? Then who…” She stepped closer to him. “Raph, what do you mean? Who is Pamela’s father?”
“I cannot disclose that information.”
Camelia looked down disappointedly.
“Yet,” he added.
Hope filled her, and she did not push him to speak more about Pamela’s real father, although she imagined that it would eat at her for days to come. She was happy that he trusted her enough to reveal that tidbit.
“Why did you let her believe that you are her father?”
He ran a hand through his hair and sighed frustratingly. “It doesn’t matter, Camelia. It won’t change the fact that Pamela is my priority and always will be.”
“Are you sure that will be good for her?”
“Yes, it’s better for her to believe that I’m her father than to know the truth.”
“Why?”
“Because… the truth would destroy her.”
Camelia shook her head, her heart pounding with pained empathy. “You underestimate her, Raph. Pamela’s stronger than you think. She feels the distance between you and senses the lies. She understands more than you realize. And if you keep hidingthis from her, you’ll lose her completely. She’ll run from you, from Brentmere, and you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”
Raph’s eyes darkened, and Camelia understood the maelstrom of emotions that warred within him.
“You think you know her heart better than I do? I’ve raised her, protected her, built a world to keep her safe. You’ve been here mere days, Camelia, and you dare lecture me?”
Her hands trembled, but she held his gaze and spoke fiercely. “I dare because I see her pain, Raph! No child should be shielded with lies. But she’s no longer a little child now. She’s a young woman, desperate for the truth, and for your love. You’re so busy protecting her that you’re pushing her away.”
“Enlighten me, Camelia. Tell me how you plan to help her if she finds out the truth.”
“I will comfort her and help her through it in any way I can.”
Raph scoffed at her answer, and she flushed in anger.
“Tell me who her father is. Let me help you carry this burden, Raph.”
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming her again and exciting her.
“Be careful what you ask for. Some secrets are heavier than you can bear.” He glared at her.
“Who could her father possibly be that you would hide his name for so ferociously?”
“The truth about Pamela’s father is unnecessary, Camelia. You need to concentrate on fixing the situation we’re in now.”
Camelia’s throat tightened, but she didn’t back down. “I can bear the truth, Raph. For Pamela, and for you. I’ll carry whatever you’re hiding. You can let me know in your time.”
“You’re bold, Camelia, but you’re treading dangerous ground.”
Her eyes glistened as she argued with conviction. “Dangerous or not, I’m here, Raph. I’m your wife, and I’m not running from you or your secrets. I’m grateful that you have spoken to me, but I truly believe that Pamela deserves the truth, too.”
His silence pressed on her like a heavy shroud, suffocating and cold.
“Camelia,” he uttered.
“Yes?” Her heart leapt as hope foolishly bloomed within her.
