Page 27 of Royal Surrogate 2

I smile and pat my dad’s hand, resisting the urge to point out that it’s the woman’s job to be kind and attentive to him, and that I’m sure she smiles that way at all the patients. It’s just so good to see so much life in him, to watch him flirt and laugh and find joy again.

“Did I tell you about that terrible show I’ve been watching?” he says. “The one with that lady from that movie with the dogs?”

“Yes,” I remind him. “And I’ve already promised I’ll watch tonight’s episode with you.”

“Good,” he says, nodding. “You’ll see what I mean. I can’t decide why it’s so funny. The writing is shit.”

I shift on the room’s small, stiff couch, settling in for another one of his long rambles. I don’t mind listening to him go on. And his rambles, even when they get all rant-y, are a welcome distraction from the thing I’ve been avoiding thinking about.

But Dad notices something is off—that’s another way I can tell how much he’s changed. He cuts off his drawn-out analysis of his latest television obsession and says, “So when are you going to tell me the truth about why you’re here?”

My eyes snap to his. “I told you, it’s?—”

“It’s complicated. Yes, I know.” He snorts. “I’m your father, Renae. Just tell me what he’s done, and I’ll go kick his ass.”

I shake my head, fighting the knot of emotion in my chest while trying to decide how to address this with him. As far as he knows, I married Caspar for love—or at least infatuation. He believes we eloped because we didn’t want a flashy royal wedding and we weren’t sure if Caspar’s family would approve of me. Back when I initially broke the news to him—a few months ago—he was upset that I hadn’t invited him, or even told him what I planned to do. But after he calmed down, he told me he was happy I was no longer putting my life on hold for him. I think a part of him was relieved because he no longer felt like a burden keeping me from having a happy, normal life.

He's also overjoyed about becoming a grandpa. He thinks my pregnancy was welcomed but unplanned, and I haven’t had the heart to break the truth to him. Because I’m a coward. I tell myself I don’t want to upset him, that I’m protecting him while he heals, but deep down I know the truth.

“You’ve been here for a week, and you haven’t even mentioned that husband of yours,” Dad says. “And every time you think I’m not looking you get all mopey.”

I start to protest, but now he’s giving me his You-better-not-lie-to-your-father look, something I haven’t seen since I was a kid, and I’m so relieved that he’s acting like his old self again that it spills out of me before I can stop it.

“Caspar lied to me. And I don’t know if I can trust him now.”

Dad’s expression goes from “concerned father” to “I’m going to kill the bastard” in an instant.

“What did he do?” he says. “Did he cheat on you? I didn’t want to say anything at the time, but those royals have a reputation for?—”

“No, no, he didn’t cheat,” I assure him. “Nothing like that. He just…” How do I explain this without mentioning the contract between Caspar and me? Dad would be devastated if he learns I got myself in this position because of him. “He didn’t tell me about some major things that affect our life together. Our marriage.” My hand moves to my belly. “He made a huge decision, one that affects both me and the baby, without even consulting me. And then he hid it from me.” I look at my dad. “How can I trust him after that? He betrayed me. Betrayed us.” My fingers curl gently against my stomach. “And I don’t know if I can ever look at him the same again. Just when—” I cut myself off, not wanting to reveal how recently I realized I care for Caspar.

“I told you when you ran off with that guy,” my dad growls. “I told you what I’d do if he ever made you cry.”

I didn’t even realize I was crying until now. I’ve usually been able to hold back the tears until I return to my hotel room for the night.

“I’m fine,” I assure my dad. “I just need a few days to figure out?—”

“You’re not fine,” my dad responds. “Whatever that bastard did, whatever he said to you, I’m going to make things right.” He sits up, as if he means to throw himself out of the bed and crawl his way across the ocean to Montovia.

Immediately, I’m at his bedside, grabbing his arm. “Please, Dad, lie back down.”

“I told you, if that bastard ever?—”

“I know. And I know you will. But not like this. Please.” I gently ease him back onto the bed. “I just… I just want to enjoy your company for a while, okay? It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, and I want to just be here with you. Let’s not even think about him. He’s on the other side of the world.”

“Actually,” comes a voice from the doorway behind me—a voice that makes me go hot and cold at the same time. “He’s here.”

CHAPTER 22

Caspar

I flash one of my million-dollar royal smiles, but it’s clear in an instant that neither Renae nor her father are going to be dazzled by it.

Before I can get a foot through the door, Renae is blocking the entry. “This is a private room. You shouldn’t be here.”

“On the contrary,” I say, thinking back to what Xavier said to me only a few days ago. “You’re my wife, and this is exactly where I should?—”

“I’d like to meet my son-in-law,” says the man in the bed behind us. For how frail he appears, his voice is much deeper than I’d imagined. “I think it’s time we get to know each other.”

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