Page 140 of Filthy Savage

“And the birth certificate.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

Amara will finally have the answers she’s been looking for.

AMARA

As soon as I get home, I can tell there’s something off with Fionn. He’s been tense since the moment I walked through the door twenty minutes ago. Fia told me all about her day at the zoo, while he barely even smiled.

What could be the matter?

“Is something wrong?” I whisper as Fia rushes over to play with her dollhouse in the den.

He drags in a long breath. “I found your father.”

My insides tremble with panic, heart beating right out of my chest.

“What?” I whisper, my vision growing hazy as I swallow down the thick ball of dread. “Are you sure?”

He nods. “He had a different name when he lived with your mother. It’s why it took me a bit longer to find him because he was careful, but it’s him.”

Why would he do that? Why would he lie?

I chew on the inside of my mouth. I don’t know what any of this means, and I don’t even know if I’m ready to face him.

What if he doesn’t want to know me? What if he tells me to go?

I bury my hands in my hair, squeezing my head like it’s going to help me answer my questions.

“Can you show me? Can I see his face?” I squeeze my temple, a headache forming there.

“Let’s leave Fia with Louise and head upstairs.”

He disappears into the kitchen for a few moments and returns with Louise.

“Mommy and Daddy will be right back, princess,” he says to her, taking my hand in his to help me off the sofa.

Louise looks curiously at me, but doesn’t ask any questions.

“Okay, Daddy.” Fia continues to play as he leads me toward the stairs, while I’m trying to control my unsteady pulse.

He actually found him. He did what he promised, and now I’ll have to face my past. Face that dream of a little girl that has consumed me for far too long.

But I know I need to get this over with. I want to know what he found, then I want to see my so-called father and end this.

With every step, my legs grow heavier, like they’re held down by an incredible weight.

“It’s gonna be okay,” he says, but his words don’t bring me comfort.

When we enter the bedroom, there’s already a manila folder waiting for me. My gut twists into knots as I step closer, releasing his hand.

“Is that him in there?” My heartbeats thump louder and louder.

“Yeah. His real name is Lloyd Young. Your mother knew him as Timothy Lee.”

With quivering fingers, I lift the folder, settling on the edge of the bed. “Do you know why he had two names?”

He sighs, sinking into the spot beside me. Clasping my cheek with his warm, caring hand, he takes a long pause before he shatters whatever was left of my heart.

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