Page 63 of Hidden Truths

“She’s right,” Cal says. “You don’t know us. I’m sure you’re here for money or clout or something just as selfish, so please see yourself out.”

“I am not selfish!” Paula argues. “I raised you two on my own!”

“Because Dad was working two jobs to support your spending habits. And if we’re really being honest, Cal raised me more than you did,” Belle says.

Jason looks defeated, and I hate that Paula can come in here and disrupt everything like this.

“Leave. Now. And if you ever try to come back here, you will be arrested on the spot for trespassing,” Cal says, turning his back to his mother, who is sputtering, trying to come up with something to say. Belle ushers her out the door and locks it.

“I’m guessing she was the bigger problem?” I ask Jason. He nods sadly, plopping down onto the couch and resting his face in his hands. Belle sits next to him and hugs him. I tug on Cal’s arm to get his attention and gesture to his dad. Cal looks up from his phone and nods, taking the seat on the other side of Jason.

“I notified the guard house. She’s on the no entry list, and they’ve been informed they can call the police to remove her if they need to,” Cal says.

“I’m so sorry. I failed you both,” Jason says.

“You didn’t, Dad,” Belle says, hugging him.

“I did.”

“You tried your best to make your family happy. You can’t do better than that,” Cal says.

I feel like I’m intruding on a family moment and try to back out of the room.

“Harlow.” I look up and see Jason watching me. “I’m sorry for what she said about you.”

“You’re not responsible for her actions, Jason. I would never have blamed you for what she said.” It hurts my heart that he blames himself.

“I should’ve divorced her much sooner. I should’ve been around more to make sure my children were being taken care of. I just assumed she was being a mother. I should never have assumed.”

“We’re both happy and healthy, Dad. What else can you ask for? That’s all I want for Cora.” Cal bumps his dad’s shoulder, and Jason gives him a small smile.

“I guess that’s true,” he admits.

I sit on the coffee table in front of Jason. “You’re here now. You love Cora, and she loves you. You’re a huge part of her life, and you see your kids almost every day. You show up and prove that you want to be in their lives for no other reason than you love them. Everything you do just shows how amazing of a father and grandfather you are. Don’t let the dragon-woman plant doubts in your head.”

Jason stands and pulls me up into a hug. “I’m so glad Cal found you,” he whispers into my hair.

“Not as glad as I am,” I whisper back.

“Secrets don’t make friends!” Cal whines, breaking the tension and making everyone laugh.

“I need to go check on Mav and Kai,” Belle says, giving her dad a quick hug.

“I’m going to go and get some Cora time in,” Jason says.

Once they’re both gone, I turn to Cal. “Future wife?” I raise an eyebrow and watch him turn pink.

“You caught that, huh?” he says, smiling as he grabs me by the waist, pulling me into him.

“You didn’t exactly whisper it.”

Cal shrugs. “It wasn’t a lie. One day, you’ll have my ring on your finger and my last name.”

“You’re pretty confident,” I say, staying calm on the outside, but on the inside, I’m squealing and kicking my feet.

“I don’t need to be, Firecracker. When I think of my future, I see you. I see Cora playing with as many siblings as we’ll give her. I see us in rockers on a porch in some country house we retire to, old and gray, watching our grandkids. I see your hand in mine as we take our last breaths together and become stars in the sky, watching over everyone we love.” He kisses the top of my head while my jaw hangs open, and I try to get my body to move. “You’re not ready for that yet. But when you are, Firecracker, I will be asking. And you will say yes.”

“Stars?” is all I’m able to say in my shocked state.

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