Page 9 of The Reluctant Heir

“I told your dad about you when you were eighteen. But I asked him to stay away from you. Don’t be mad at him. He is your father, Madeline. And he loves you. Ever since I told him about you, he has called me once a week to ask about you. He always asks me to send him photos.”

My heart swells at her words.

I have a dad. A dad who doesn’t hate me. A dad whom I would’ve had a relationship with growing up if my mother hadn’t kept me from him.

“Will you ever forgive me?” Mom asks.

“I will,” I confirm. “But it’s going to take me a little time.”

“Are you going to go with him?”

I shrug, still not knowing the answer to that.

Everything is happening so fast. How can I decide to just go with him only twenty four hours after meeting him? He’s my dad, but he’s also a stranger. My heart feels so conflicted.

Still, staying with the succubi and incubi doesn’t feel right either. Maybe I should just run away.

But where would I go? It’s not like I could ever live among the humans. I’m too different from them to ever fit in.

“Whatever you do, please let me know so I won’t worry about you,” Mom says.

I look up and see her dark brown eyes pleading with me. And even though a small part of me wants to deny her, I can’t. She’s my mom and I love her. This mistake doesn’t change that.

“I will,” I promise, then stand up from the couch. “I’m going to head back to my place. I need to think before Michael comes.”

She purses her lips, like she wants to argue, but nods. “Goodbye, Madeline. I love you.”

I give her a quick hug. “Love you too, Mom.”

I head to my car, my heart and my head aching with each step.

What am I supposed to do? I feel like I’m being pulled in so many directions. I’m just not sure which way is right. No matter what I do, I’m going to hurt somebody.

On the drive to my apartment, I changed my mind at least ten times.

What if, for once, I did what was best forme? No matter what I decide, somebody is getting hurt. So why not make myself happy? Right now, I’m miserable. I don’t want to keep being a lackey for my grandfather and cousins. I want to do something with my life.

But do I want to go with my father?

When Michael Scott shows up at midnight, I’m still having an internal debate about the entire thing. I let him into my apartment and offer him something to drink. He refuses and follows me into my living room.

“You talked to your mother,” he says.

“She told me everything.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “So… does your wife know about me?”

He frowns. “Yes. I told her about the affair right away. It took her a while, but she eventually forgave me. And when your mother contacted me to tell me about you, I told her. I won’t lie to you—she’s not thrilled about your existence. But I know my wife and she will grow to love you as she does our sons.”

Ihighlydoubt his wife will grow to love me. I’m the proof of my father’s unfaithfulness all those years ago.

“Have you made a decision?” He asks, getting right to the point.

I sigh and nod. “I have. I don’t want to be your heir, but I do want to see what the vampires are like. I want to get to know you and my vampire family. I’m scared, but I know that going with you is the right thing to do.”

As much as I hate to admit it, this is what I’ve always wanted. And if I ever truly want to figure out who I am, I have to learn about the other half of me.

Michael grins widely. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

My heart warms at his excitement. He does want me to go with him.

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