Page 72 of Like You Love Me

“Sweetheart,” Bianca said softly and took the seat beside her. Sierra shifted slightly but didn’t respond. “I’m sorry.”

There was a pregnant pause before Sierra asked, “Is Mr. Clark my daddy?”

Bianca’s eyes shifted over to London. The pain and anguish on his face made her hurt for him. “Yes, it’s true.”

Sierra turned around, and Bianca saw her eyes were red from crying. “Daddy, does that mean you can’t be my daddy anymore?”

“Absolutely not,” he barked with a steely glint in his eyes. “Honeybee, you will always be my daughter.”

“Jenny has a new daddy. She says her old daddy doesn’t come to see her anymore. She misses him.”

“That will never happen. I will always be your daddy,” London managed with a shaky smile.

Sierra sat up, sitting Indian style on the bed. “Will you still live with Mommy and me?”

Bianca held her breath, waiting for his response as London’s eyes shifted over to look at her. Beneath the pain, she saw the hurt at being betrayed. “Yes, we are still a family.”

Suddenly, Sierra’s big brown eyes shifted to Bianca as she asked, “Mommy, why do I have two daddies?”

Bianca moved closer and said, “Long before you were even born, Mr. Clark and I were in love, but it didn’t work out and are relationship ended, and I married your father.” Reaching over, she gently stroked Sierra’s hair while she explained at a simplified level that she hoped a seven-year-old would understand.

“But why didn’t you tell me Mr. Clark was my daddy?”

Bianca blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears that threatened to fall. “Because I didn’t know how to tell you, and at the time, Mr. Clark wasn’t sure how to be a father to you.”

“He told me he was sorry for not being my daddy, but he’s happy I have a good daddy.”

“That was nice of him.” Bianca stretched out a supportive hand, and Sierra laced their fingers together.

“Honeybee, we’re going to talk and work this out,” London said, and Bianca noticed that some of the tension had eased from his shoulders as he exhaled a long breath.

“He says I have two brothers, but I’m the oldest.”

Sheyna smiled. “Cool. You finally get to be a big sister.”

“Yes, and I have a stepmother too.”

The bastard. He had no right telling her daughter all those things. But that did nothing to excuse her for the part she played. “Sweetheart, I am so sorry you found out this way. I wanted to wait and tell you once you were older, and I knew you would understand.”

“I’m not a baby.”

London leaned forward and tugged on her ponytail before saying softly, “Honeybee, what your mother means is that she wanted to tell you when you were older so that you wouldn’t think any less of her or me. I don’t want you to ever wonder if I love you. You are my daughter and I love you more than life itself. At seven-years-old, it’s hard to understand how complicated being a parents can be.”

Bianca nodded in agreement. “And sweetheart, just know that everything I’ve done has been because I love you.”

“I know, Mommy.”

Another sob crowded her throat that she pushed away.

“Does this mean I’ll start spending the weekend with Mr. Clark and my brothers like Jenny does?” Sierra’s eyes shifted from her mother to her father, and Bianca could see the curiosity and uncertainty.

“Your mother and I will talk with Mr. Clark and decide if that’s a good idea, but only if you want to. We will never make you do anything you don’t want to do.”

Sierra looked at her mother, who nodded in confirmation before saying, “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

Bianca hugged her close to her chest, then drew back and stared down into her daughter’s eyes. “Ready to go home?”

“Yes, I’m ready,” Sierra replied with a smile. Bianca released her, then crossed the room to help her daughter gather her things.

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