Page 72 of Rockstar Daddy's Second Chance

I grit my teeth as my anger bubbles over. “I told the truth, Derrick. There’s nothing to spin.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” Derrick growls, his face a shade darker now. “The industry doesn’t care if you’re happy. Theywant Cass Wild—the bad boy. You’ve killed the brand. You’ve killedus.”

I let out a bitter laugh, advancing on Derrick. “Us? This was about you! You’ve been more concerned about your cut than what’s good for me.”

“Damn right, it’s about my cut!” Derrick snaps. “Because without me, you wouldn’t even have a career to talk about! I built you, Cass. Don’t forget that.”

“You’re done controlling me and my life, Derrick.” I let the words hang in the air, my hands clenched at my sides. “You’re fired.”

Derrick freezes, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. Then, he explodes. “You’re making a huge mistake! You’ll never find someone who can do what I do. Without me, your career is over!”

“Maybe, but at least it’s my decision. Now get out!” I point to the door.

Derrick stomps to the door, muttering curses, but as the door slams shut behind him, all I feel is relief. As the silence settles, I feel the weight lifting off my shoulders. My life is finally mine.

My eyes travel over the hotel room. Suddenly, I long to be back home–without hesitating, I book the next red-eye home. Kendrick and Cassidy are waiting for me. And I’m done making them wait.

Thirty-Three

Kendrick

The beach house is eerily quiet, the rhythmic crash of the waves outside the only sound in the stillness of the night. Cassidy’s soft breathing drifts down the hallway, her sleep undisturbed, as I sit on the couch, staring at the half-empty glass of water in my hand.

The events of the past few hours swirl in my mind—Cass’s heartfelt confession on live TV about Cassidy, the way his voice trembled with pride as he called her his daughter. It should have been a moment of relief, a weight finally lifted. Instead, a feeling of fear grips me tighter when I think about how Derrick will take the public announcement.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of tires crunching against the gravel driveway. My chest tightens. It’s late—too late for visitors. I glance at the clock—3:17 a.m.

The headlights switch off, plunging the driveway into darkness again. I stand, setting my glass down, and move toward the window, careful not to make a sound. A figure steps out of the car, tall and imposing. My breath catches.

Derrick.

My stomach drops. What could he possibly want at this hour?

A loud, aggressive knock shatters the stillness. I hesitate, my pulse pounding in my ears. The knock comes again, harder this time, insistent. I glance toward Cassidy’s room upstairs, hoping her door is still closed. Whatever happens next, I’ll protect her from it.

I steel myself and open the door. Derrick stands there, his tailored suit looking out of place against the casual beach backdrop. His expression is cold, his jaw tight, and his eyes glint with something between anger and loathing.

“Derrick?” I ask, keeping my voice low, not wanting to wake Cassidy. “What are you doing here?”

He doesn’t bother with pleasantries, pushing past me into the house. “We need to talk,” he says sharply.

“I don’t think we do,” I counter, shutting the door and stepping into the living room, where he’s already pacing like a caged predator. “Whatever it is, it can wait until morning.”

“No, Kendrick, it can’t,” Derrick snaps, his voice low but venomous. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes. “What I’ve done? I haven’t done anything, Derrick.”

He spins to face me, his movements abrupt and aggressive. “You and your daughter—this little family fantasy you’ve cooked up with Cass—it’s ruining everything.”

I take a step back, refusing to allow his heated accusation to break my composure. “Ruining what, exactly? Cass finally knows the truth–about Cassidy. That’s what matters.”

“The truth?” Derrick scoffs, his laugh sharp and humorless. “The truth is you should have stayed gone. You and Cassidy don’t belong in Cass’s life. You’ll destroy him.”

My jaw tightens. “That’s not your decision to make.”

“It was,” he hisses, stepping closer. “Do you think he’d be where he is now if you’d stuck around with your baby in tow? No, Kendrick. You’d have dragged him down.”

His words strike a nerve, but I refuse to let him see how much they hurt. “You don’t know what would have happened, Derrick. You don’t know anything about us.”

---