Page 74 of Rockstar Daddy's Second Chance

Cass stands frozen as if rooted in place. “What you had to do? What the hell does that mean, Derrick?” He demands harshly.

“It means I made her leave,” Derrick says coldly, his tone as sharp as glass–no remorse. “I had Kendrick sign an NDA, gave her enough money to make her understand how serious I was, and made it crystal clear that if she told you about the baby, your career would be over before it even started.”

For a moment, Cass looks like he can’t breathe. His eyes narrow as Derrick’s words sink in.

Cass turns to look at me. Seeing the truth in my sorrow-filled eyes, his features twist harshly. All those years of pain, of wondering why I left without a word, seem to come rushing back in a tidal wave of anger and betrayal.

He turns furious eyes on Derrick. “You… you forced her to leave?” Cass’s voice is low–dangerous, barely recognizable as his.

“I did what needed to be done,” Derrick snaps, his bravado faltering under Cass’s glare. “You should be thanking me. I saved your career. I made you who you are.”

Cass takes a step forward, and Derrick instinctively backs up, his confidence finally cracking. “You didn’t save anything,” he growls, his voice shaking with rage. “You destroyed the best thing that ever happened to me. You stole years from us.”

Derrick opens his mouth to respond, but Cass cuts him off, his fury boiling over. “Get out. Get out, and don’t ever come near us again. You lied to me. If you ever come near my family, I swear—“

“You’re making a mistake,” Derrick snaps, his voice rising, desperate now. “You’ll regret this, Cass. Just wait—you’ll see.”

Cass points to the door, his hand trembling with pent-up anger. “The only thing I regret is not firing you sooner.”

For a moment, Derrick just stares at him, his face pale and drawn. Then, he turns to me, his eyes filled with so much hatred that I shudder. Without another word, he storms out, slamming the door behind him.

The silence that follows is deafening. Cass turns to me, his expression crumbling as he steps closer. “Kendrick... I’m so sorry. For everything.”

Tears spill down my cheeks as I shake my head. “It wasn’t your fault, Cass. You didn’t know.”

He pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly as if afraid to let go. “I know now,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. “And I’m not letting anyone take you or Cassidy away from me again.”

I cling to him, the weight of the past finally lifting as we stand together in the quiet of the night, stronger than ever. At least now, Cass knows what really happened.

Thirty-Four

Cass

As the echo of Derrick’s words fades, my chest heaves and my hands shake. The weight of what I’ve just learned presses down, threatening to crush me. But beneath the anger, betrayal, and heartbreak, there’s something else—

Because now I know the truth. And I’m going to make damn sure that Derrick’s manipulation, his hold over our lives, ends finally here and now.

I glance down at Kendrick, nestled in my arms. The sight of her stops me in my tracks. She’s barefoot, wearing yoga pants and one of my old shirts hanging loosely over her frame. But she’s never looked more beautiful. Like she just stepped out of my dreams.

She stares up at me, her gray eyes still glistening with tears. “You came back early,” she says as the sorrow slowly starts to fade from her face, leaving only a welcoming smile.

“Yeah,” I say huskily, “I couldn’t stay away.” I slide my hand to the small of her back, pulling her closer when Cassidy rushes into the room, still in her pajamas. “Dad!” she squeals, throwing her arms around us in a sleepy hug. “I thought I heard voices.”

Holding her tight, I press my cheek against hers without releasing Kendrick. “Hey, sweetheart,” I say, my voice rough with emotion. “Sorry it’s so late, but I missed you guys.”

She pulls back, grinning sleepily. “You were amazing in that interview. Mom and I watched it together, and she cried—I wasn’t supposed to tell you that,” she adds with an impish grin.

I chuckle, letting loose my hold on Cassidy. “Your secret’s safe with me. How are you holding up?”

Her face flushes with pride, “Now, everybody knows you’re my dad.”

“Of course,” I say, kissing her forehead. “I want the whole world to know.”

Cassidy beams, then looks at her mother, who has been silently watching our exchange, as she gathers her composure. “Mom’s been counting the hours till you came home,” she tells me, trying unsuccessfully to hide a yawn.

I laugh, and my eyes meet Kendrick’s. “Well, I’m home now, aren’t I?” Turning back to my daughter, I suggest softly. “Cassidy, why don’t you go back to bed? I’ll still be here in the morning.”

Cassidy nods as she covers another yawn with her hand. After she trails up the stairs, I turn back to Kendrick and take her hand. “Come with me,” I say, leading her toward the sliding glass doors.

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