Page 40 of The Addendum

Tears filled her eyes. “Something is going on. I can feel it.”

“Your mom and I are good.” I chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You need to relax, my girl. Don’t get upset over nothing.”

“It doesn’t feel like nothing. You’re acting weird, and Mom isn’t herself—”

I cut her off, knowing I had to be honest. Or as honest as I could be. “Gracie, leave it. I know we’re your parents, but we’re people too, okay? We have disagreements all the time and make up after. Just like you and Jaxson, or any other couple. We’re fine. Everything is fine.” I smiled. “Well, at least it will be once I go and apologize, and we kiss and make up.”

“What did you do?”

I chuckled. “I was a man, Gracie. I said a couple of stupid things. I gave your mom some space, and now I’ll go and take my punishment.”

“You should get her flowers.”

“I think she’d rather have the wine and Chinese. The house is full of flowers from yesterday.”

She blew out a long breath. “So, it’s just a fight?”

“It’s a disagreement.”

“Okay. I don’t know if I believe you, but okay.” She took Kylie from my arms. “Go and make up. Grovel well, Dad.”

“My plan exactly.”

She kissed my cheek and walked away. I turned and watched as she headed home. No doubt, Jaxson would be waiting for her, and she would tell him what I said. He’d assure her everything was fine and distract her for the night.

I continued heading home, hoping my groveling would be enough. I needed Katy beside me on this. Without her, I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

* * *

I stepped inside the house, the comforting scent of home surrounding me. Katy always had candles burning, fresh flowers around, and the house smelled good.

She was in the living room, curled up on the sofa, a cup of tea in her hands and a half-eaten chocolate bar on the table beside her. I went to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of her favorite red and opened it. I carried it and two glasses to the living room and sat across from her. I poured us each a glass and handed one to her after taking the empty cup from her hand. I broke off a piece of the dark chocolate and popped it into my mouth, letting the rich, decadent taste melt.

Neither of us spoke for a moment. I looked at her, studying her lovely face. Gracie was right—she looked tired and sad. Her brilliant blue eyes were shadowed. I met her gaze and looked away, studying my reflection in the glass. I looked much the same.

I drew in a deep breath and set down the glass of wine. I spoke slowly.

“First off, I need you to know I have never and will never cheat on you, Katy. You are my entire world. I build everything around you and our family. I have to know that you understand that.”

“I do,” she replied. “She and Gracie looked so close in age, the question was out before I could stop myself. I don’t even know why I asked. As soon as she threw out her accusation, I knew who her mother was. I was—” she swallowed “—I was just reacting, I suppose.”

Our eyes locked again, and she shrugged. “Old insecurities, I guess,” she added in a whisper.

I took her hand. “You shouldn’t have any—not when it comes to me. I love you more than I can express. More than I can show you in this lifetime. Even after all these years, all I see is you.”

“I know,” she replied. “It was all such…” Her voice trailed off.

“A shock, I know,” I finished.

She nodded and took a sip of her wine. I noticed her hand trembled, and the one I held in mine was cold—both signs of her inner turmoil.

“Katy, I can’t change the past. I thought I’d moved far enough away from it that the man I was would never touch my children’s lives or hurt you again. But it has, and if this plays out the way I think it will, it’s going to hurt us all for a while.” I paused, swallowing. “I hate that, but I’m aware my apologies won’t change anything.” I lifted her hand to my mouth, kissing the skin and holding it to my face.

“But I need you beside me on this. To know that, no matter what, you still love me and you’ll help me when I have to tell our kids. That you’ll accept this as best you can and not hate me for it.”

Her fingers pressed into my cheek, and I looked at her.

“I could never hate you, Richard. I love you. I will always love you.”