Page 233 of The Defiant Curse

She’d also been thinking about her father, and if he’d still be proud of her after what she’d done. While she lost her mother young, Charlie had raised her, and he’d been instrumental in who she became.

Disappointing him…that was a hard pill to swallow for Elizabeth.

Sarah tipped her head, and it was clear she was listening to someone.

“Yes, he is proud of you.”

Jesus.

H.

Christ.

Someone needed to get the hell out of her head. This made her uncomfortable.

Like REALLY uncomfortable.

“Okay,” Elizabeth stated.

Sarah wanted to make this woman understand this wasn’t about hurting her.

“Your mother loves the rosary you wear. She said your husband, Callen, did an amazing job of having it made for you. She said, he chose the gemstone color because it’s your mother’s birthstone. She wants you to thank him for her. She sees your family, and she’s proud of you.”

That was one more thing that no one knew.

“I’ll tell him.”

Sarah touched her hand.

“She wishes she was there, and that she’s incredibly jealous that Christopher’s mother and Duke’s mother get to play grandma. She would give anything to hold your little girl,” she said, staring at Ethan. “She’s her mother’s daughter, and she’s going to change the world.”

Elizabeth knew who she was talking about.

While they all shared kids, she and Ethan only had one biological daughter.

Charlie.

“I hope so. She’s one of my greatest joys.”

Sarah was to the point.

“She said you are the mother she always wished she’d be had she had more time, and she said, yes, she knew. She knew about the affair.”

Elizabeth’s heart skipped.

When she saw the curious look from Gabby, Elizabeth explained.

“My father had a one-night stand with Caryn,” she admitted. “Duke was born from that. They had an argument, my father got drunk, and he slept with Caryn. I was a baby at the time.”

“Oh,” Gabby said.

That she knew…

Elizabeth couldn’t imagine how that had to hurt. It devastated her when Chris cheated on her, and he’d only made out with the woman.

“She forgave him, but your father had many secrets. She wants you to know that secrets destroy, and that a marriage has to be based on faith and trust.”

She glanced back over at Ethan.