Chapter 4 - The Question He Couldn't Escape
They met the next morning in Cassidy’s office.
Declan arrived alone.
That surprised her.
“No lawyer?” she asked.
“No.”
“No assistant?”
“No.”
“No father?”
His jaw tightened.
“Definitely no father.”
Cassidy noticed that.
Declan sat opposite her.
“Why?”
She had prepared explanations.
None seemed sufficient.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of me?”
“Of what your family could do.”
“I would never have taken them from you.”
“You don’t know what you would have done.”
His anger surfaced.
“You stole four years from me.”
Cassidy’s eyes flashed.
“I protected my children.”
“They’re my children too.”
“You didn't know they existed.”
“Because you made sure I didn't!”
Silence.
Declan immediately regretted shouting.
Cassidy stood.
“This conversation is over.”
“No.”
“Leave.”
He forced himself to lower his voice.
“Please.”
Again, that word.
Cassidy remained standing.
Declan looked down.
“When can I meet them?”
“You met them yesterday.”
“You know what I mean.”
Cassidy crossed her arms.
“They don’t know you.”
“I know.”
“You don't walk into their lives and announce you're their father.”
“I know.”
“You don't buy their affection.”
He almost smiled bitterly.
“I know you think that's the only language I speak.”
“It used to be.”
That landed.
Declan nodded.
“Then teach me another one.”
Cassidy stared at him.
This was not the man she remembered.
Or perhaps it was a version she had never allowed herself to imagine.
“I need time.”
“So do I. But I’ve already lost four years.”
Cassidy looked toward the window.
Finally she said, “Saturday. Piedmont Park. One hour.”
Declan exhaled.
“Thank you.”
As he reached the door, Cassidy stopped him.
“Declan.”
He turned.
“If you hurt them, you will never see them again.”
His expression became solemn.
“I believe you.”
Then he left.
Cassidy watched him through the glass.
May you like
For the first time, she wondered whether she had been protecting her daughters from Declan—
or protecting herself from having to discover he might someday become the father they deserved.
