Page 56 of The Addendum

Something in her gaze tugged at my heart. It reminded me of when Heather was little and in need of comfort. Of when Gracie would open her arms and ask for a hug. She needed reassurance. The parental sort. But she wasn’t ready for that from me.

Surprisingly, I thought I might be ready to give it, though.

“We’ll leave the ball in your court, then.” I handed her a business card I slid from my pocket. “That has my personal information on the back. I’ll wait to hear from you.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked, for the first time her voice not sounding angry. I chose my words carefully.

“I’m going to have some difficult conversations with my other children. Tell them who you are.”

“And if I choose not to be involved with any of you?”

I tilted my head to the side. “Then you really haven’t thought this through. Your boyfriend is best friends with my son-in-law. You already liked Heather. Your world is going to intertwine with mine—with ours—even if it’s only on occasion.” I stood, pulling Katy up with me.

“And even if you decide to hate me for the rest of your life, you should get to know your half-siblings. They are amazing human beings. They could be part of your life, even if I am not.” I glanced at Katy. “My wife would be another example of someone you should let yourself get to know. She is the very best part of me.”

I glanced at Halton. “I’ll be in touch.”

“See you at the Hub,” he replied easily.

“Okay.” I paused, looking at Ashley and Luc. “Take care of her, Luc. She needs that right now.”

He nodded grimly.

Ashley never spoke.

I walked out of the office, my emotions all over the place.

I had another daughter. Another small piece of me in this world.

She hated me.

And I wasn’t sure how to change that.

* * *

ASHLEY

Richard and his wife left, and for a moment, the office was silent. Luc leaned over, tugging on my fingers, making me realize how tightly I had been gripping the arms of the chair I was sitting in.

Halton met my gaze, his surprisingly kind and understanding.

“Do you have any questions, Ashley?”

“No,” I lied. Inside my head, I had about a million of them swirling through my brain.

He stood and came around the front of his desk. He perched his hip on the dark wood, handed me a card, and smiled. “That’s my number. Office and personal. If you think of something, you can call. Anytime.”

“Is that appropriate? You being his lawyer and all?”

“Do you plan on legal action?”

“No.”

“Then understand I am not acting as Richard’s lawyer. I am acting as a concerned member of the family to help him—” he paused “—and you through this difficult, emotional time.”

I took the card, unable to hide the way my hand shook when I did.

“Ashley,” he said, waiting until I met his eyes again.