Page 71 of Since the Day We Kissed

Kara watched her daughter’s lips part, but no sound escaped.

As the seconds ticked by, Charlotte’s gaze flicked between her mother and grandfather, appearing to search for something—anything—that might explain the bombshell that had been dropped on her.

Kara could almost see the wheels turning in Charlotte’s mind, trying to piece together the truth.

Charlotte blinked rapidly, her breath coming in shallow bursts. Her mouth opened and closed again, but the words seemed stuck. Finally, she managed a stammer. “My-my father?”

“Yes, your father.” Kara reached for her daughter’s hand, but Charlotte’s fingers lay still in her palm, limp and unresponsive.

Whitaker threw up his hands. “Well, that’s just great.”

Kara shot him a sharp glare. “She has a right to know!”

“Oh sure, let’s go ahead and tell her everything—the man responsible for her grandmother’s death is Daddy dearest!”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Wait, what?”

Whitaker gestured toward Charlotte. “See? This is exactly why some things are best left unsaid.”

Kara slammed her fist on the table. “It wasn’t Ethan’s fault! I chose to stay out late that night!Nothim,me! But you—” she jabbed a finger at her father, “you dragged Mom out in the middle of the night to look for me. I was perfectly fine.”

Whitaker’s face reddened. “How dare you! After everything I’ve done—”

“Everything you’ve done? Like what, Dad? Control me? Smother me with your ‘protection?’”

Whitaker’s hands trembled. “Ethan used you, Kara. You really think he cares? He got what he wanted, and walked out, vanishing for twenty years. Now you’re acting like it’s all water under the bridge? Well, I got news for you kid, the Bennetts are trash, always have been. I warned you then, and I’m warning you now. Ethan is a good-for-nothing—”

“Enough!” Tears streamed down Kara’s face. “Just stop, Dad.”

She turned to Charlotte, her voice softening. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. You shouldn’t have to hear this.”

Charlotte squeezed her mom’s hand. “It’s okay, Mom.” She turned to her grandfather. “Grandpa, I think you’re wrong about Ethan. He’s done great things at the rescue. Even got me to the hospital after my accident. That doesn’t sound like someone who’s good for nothing.”

Whitaker removed his glasses, shaking his head as he rubbed his temples.

Charlotte turned to her mom. “Does he know? About me being his daughter?”

Kara nodded. “I told him today. Right before I came here.”

Charlotte leaned forward. “And? What did he say?”

A silence fell between them.

Kara hesitated, torn between the truth and the desire to protect her daughter.

No. No more secrets. Charlotte deserves the truth, no matter how difficult it might be.

“He— When I told him, he just— He said he had to leave because—”

Whitaker jumped in. “There! You see? He wants nothing to do with either of you. I’ve only ever tried to protect this family. When will you finally listen to me?”

Charlotte shot to her feet, her chair screeching against the floor. “You always talk about protecting me, Grandpa, but from what? The truth? Maybe you’re the one who doesn’t want to face it.” She shook her head, sighing. “I need a minute,” she muttered, pushing past them. “Just need some air.” She walked back out to the front, letting the door swing shut behind her.

Kara watched her daughter go.

“Look at her!” Her dad pointed toward the door. “Look what you’ve done to your daughter!”

“I told her the truth!” Kara snapped. “That’s all I’ve done.”

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