Page 56 of Burned

“Sadie.”

He stiffened at that name. “We don’t have to talk about it Carys.”

“Maybe not, but you just seem so sad, and I don’t think it’s all about me is it? You miss her don’t you?”

He’d promised that he’d always be honest with her so he nodded. “Yes. I do, very much.”

“I’m really sorry for what I did.”

“I know.”

“You’re not telling me something.”

Rhys sighed. She’d have to find out sooner or later but he wasn’t sure if Carys was ready to hear this. “We’ll talk about it another time.”

“Dad, please. I’m not going to fall apart like I did before. Just tell me. Something’s going on that you’re not saying. Please tell me.”

He closed his eyes briefly and let out another deep breath. “Sadie is pregnant. It’s my baby.”

Carys stiffened. “You’re going to be a father?”

“I’m already a father. Yours, but yes, I’m having another child.”

“But this will be your biological child.”

Rhys took her hands in his. “Sweetheart, we’re not going to go over this again, are we? I love you. And even though I will love this baby Sadie is having I won’t love it anymore than I love you and vice versa. Love isn’t something that’s rationed and split. Love grows to encompass everyone in its circle. That’s how it works. And I hope you can learn to love your new sibling as well.”

“If we’re being honest with each other, I really don’t know what to think but, I will try very hard to be a good big sister. But what if Sadie doesn’t want me around? I really hurt her.”

“We’ll take one step at a time, okay? Don’t ever forget that I love you, sweetie.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Now, about that takeout.”

* * *

Are you ready for this, Sadie?” Lily looked over to her sister as they stood on the porch of an old Tudor style home.

“Yeah. Just a little nervous. Who wouldn’t be in this situation?”

The night that Lily had told Sadie her secret they’d checked in to a hotel to plot their next move. They decided to stick around to get some information from this lawyer Terrell had told Sadie about. Unfortunately, the number they’d found for him on the internet was a business number to the law firm that said it was closed until Tuesday. Sadie and Lily decided to take the extra days off to stick around and personally go to the law firm.

Their first visit resulted in them leaving a card for Mr. Hayes to contact them because he was out of the office. Thankfully he’d called that evening and told them tocome in first thing in the morning. Upon that meeting, Sadie learned that on her thirtieth birthday she would begin to receive an annuity that totaleda million dollars. Floored she asked for more details, but they were directed to see a Joyce Brown and was given her address. He promised he’d call to make sure she was aware they were coming.

Two days later here they were. Sadie was a bundle of nerves. Could this Joyce woman hold the key to their past or be her mother?

“Here goes nothing.” Sadie leaned over and rang the doorbell.

Only a few seconds passed when a tall, older man opened the door. “Are you Chrysanthemum and Lily Flowers? Of course, you are. You two look just like, Mama Brown. Come on in.”

Sadie was remained rooted to the spot. “Who are you?”

“I’m your Uncle Clinton. Don’t be shy girls, come in.” They followed the man inside.

“Is that them Clinton?” A woman called out.

“It’s them.”

A woman walked toward them and stepped out of the shadows. Sadie gasped. Seeing this woman was like looking at an older version of herself. Before she could stop the words from coming, she asked, “Are you, my mother?”

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