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“He’s tried to make a new life down in Wellington. But he still loves you.”

I’m so shocked. I’d guessed some of it, but not all.

“I shouldn’t interfere,” Dad says. He looks at the floor. “I interfered before, and it was a mistake.”

“How did you interfere?”

“On your wedding day, I told him not to say anything.”

I can feel my heart banging at double speed. “Oh…”

“Your mum and I had talked a lot about you and Jayden. She was worried about how controlling he was. She wanted me to say something before, but I told her we shouldn’t interfere. You’d made your choice, and it was none of our business. And I felt the same on your wedding day. You looked happy, and I knew if Mitch told you, it would bring any doubts you had to the fore, and the wedding probably wouldn’t go through. Maybe that would have been for the better, I don’t know.” He gives me a helpless look and shrugs.

“I don’t know what to say,” I whisper.

His brows draw together. “Are you mad at me?”

I think about what might have been, had Mitch approached me that day and said he had feelings for me. What would have happened? Dad thinks I would have stopped the wedding. But I know I wouldn’t have. I’d have felt very mixed up, and it would have spoiled the day, but I would have gone through with it, because he’s right; I’d made my decision.

“No,” I tell him. “I’m not mad. I have Millie. How can I be mad about that?”

He blows out a long breath. “I’m so glad.”

“Things happen the way they’re supposed to, I believe that. We can’t change the past. I have to look forward now, that’s all, and make the best choices I can for Millie, and for myself.”

I pick up the plate of biscuits and the glass of milk. “I’d better run these up to her.”

“Of course.” As I go to walk out the door, he says, “Vix?” I turn. “I am sorry, though,” he says.

I smile. “Don’t worry about it.” I walk to the stairs and go up to Millie’s room.

Mitch is lying on the bed, his arm around her, reading to her. I go around the bed and put the plate and glass on her bedside table. Mitch picks up a biscuit and pretends to eat it.

“That’s okay,” Millie says, “you can have one.”

“Aw.” He laughs, takes a small bite, and hands her the rest. “Go on.” He smiles at me as she eats it, then continues reading the story.

I lean on the door post, watching them. My pulse is still racing after Dad’s announcement.

Mitch was going to stop the wedding?

He left because he couldn’t bear to watch me have another man’s child?

I knew he liked me. But I never knew how much.

I stay until he finishes the story, and then I take Millie into the bathroom to brush her teeth. When she’s done, I tuck her into bed and kiss her cheek.

“I love you,” I tell her.

“I love you too,” she says.

I brush her curly hair back from her face. She’s such a beautiful girl. I could never wish I hadn’t married Jayden. All I can do is look forward.

“Sleep tight.” I turn off the main light, leaving on her mermaid light, go out, and pull the door almost closed. Then I go back down the stairs.

Dad has gone into his study. His door is closed—he doesn’t often do that, so I think maybe he wants to give me and Mitch a little privacy.

I go into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of wine, then walk into the living room.