Page 103 of Obsessed Heir

“That’s perfectly all right. Sometimes it’s best to let it all out privately,” she soothes, letting me off the hook for walking away.

“I’ve worried about…him.” I can’t even think about him as my father.

“I know, and I’m sorry I kept you in the dark.” She squeezes my hand. “We found out he wasn’t your biological father when we were doing the paperwork for your citizenship. I planned to tell you. I just had no idea how to do so.”

My throat works as I process the details.

“I was nothing more than a big payday to him,” I whisper brokenly. “He’d been telling me all along, but I didn’t understand. When he said I’d grow up and get us out of ourmiserable existence, I thought he meant I’d be old enough to get a job. That my paycheck would help us live in a better place.”

Miss Opal’s hand tightens around mine, and she shakes her head.

“I don’t know what he was thinking. How he could have thought he could get away with such a despicable plan,” she says with a light shudder.

All I wanted was to buy enough food to fill the pantry. Meanwhile, he thought he could use me as an exchange of goods.

“I’m so sorry you got caught up in this ugly situation,” she murmurs, understanding clear in her expression. “Just give yourself some time to heal.”

Time might heal a lot of things. I’m not sure this is one of them. But since she brought up the subject, this might be the best time to let her know my plan. I take a deep, steadying breath, fearing she’ll be upset.

“I did some thinking last night. I came to the conclusion that I should…head back to Seattle,” I say in a small voice.

Her smile falters, and her brow furrows with concern. “Oh, Abby…”

“Me being here is only causing problems between you and Barron,” I rush to explain. The image of the anger and accusation in his face fills my mind. “This way, you’ll be able to spend time together without any added friction.”

“I had a pity party of my own last night,” she admits with a rueful shake of her head.

“What do you mean?” I ask, jumping at the chance to steer away from the subject of leaving, but I know it’s not the end of the discussion.

She draws in a deep, shuddering breath. “Barron and I sat down and talked, like we should have done months ago. I told him about how ill I was and how you shouldered all the responsibility of keeping our life afloat.”

This is huge. Miss Opal has always prided herself on her independence. Having that conversation with Barron, opening herself up and baring her soul, must have been excruciating.

“It’s only right, Miss Opal. You’re my family,” I assure her. “You’ve been the mother I would have wished for.”

“And you are the daughter I wished for, my sweet girl.” Her smile turns tender and loving. “If you’re truly set on leaving, then I’m ready to go, too.”

Out of anything she could have said, this is the most alarming.

“Miss Opal, no.” I shake my head adamantly, my voice rising with urgency. “You can’t leave. You’re here to spend the time with your son.”

“Abby, the McClelland men don’t spend much time with their mothers, I’m afraid.” Her smile is bittersweet, her lower liptrembling with emotion. “In fact, I’m the first one in generations to have any significant amount of time with her son.”

“That can’t be right.” I frown. Why would she reach that conclusion? Barron obviously loves her, despite his gruff exterior.

“It… It was made very clear to me”—her voice wavers as her eyes well up again and her hands twist in her lap—“when my father accepted money from Barron’s father for me to be his,” she ends in a choked whisper.

When my father accepted money from Barron’s father…

“What?” I croak out as every muscle in my body goes weak.

Chapter Forty-Two

Barron

There’s a quick knock at the door as I zip up my jeans. Is it Abigail? Did she realize I was with her last night and left before Mom woke up?

“Get up and come out here,” Holly says.

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