Page 40 of When Love Changes Everything

"Lily,cariño," I begin gently, my heart sinking. "I want to sit down with you and talk about this. Can I come over?"

"You can come over, but I really don’t want to see Lisa."

Before I can respond, the line goes dead. I let out a quiet sigh and turn to Lisa, who’s nervously biting her fingernail, her unease written all over her face. Without a word, I pull her into my arms, holding her close.

"It’s going to be alright,hermosa," I murmur, my voice calm, even as my mind races with how to fix this.

"She hates me," Lisa says, her voice trembling, tears threatening to spill.

"She doesn’t hate you," I assure her, tightening my hold. "I’m sure your father painted a pretty bleak picture of what’s going on. In his mind, I’m just an old man taking advantage of his young daughter."

Lisa shakes her head, her frustration evident. "Trust me," she says firmly. "Him talking to Lily had nothing to do with what’s best for me and everything to do with him wanting to hurt me."

"Come with me,hermosa," I say gently. "Let’s sit down with Lily and explain everything together."

"I don’t want her to feel ganged up on," she replies, her voice resolute.

"Are you sure?" I ask, my gaze steady on hers, wanting her to know how much her peace of mind matters to me.

She nods. "I'm sure," she says, the sadness in her blue eyes betraying the small smile she offers. "Your daughter needs you now."

"Can I come over to see you tonight?" I ask, my voice hopeful.

"Yes. Of course," she says, her tone softening. "Mom’s going out with her friends for a late dinner and a movie, so she won’t be home."

"I love you, Annalisa," I whisper into her hair. "Lily will understand, and everything will work itself out. I promise."

***

The fire in Lily's eyes is enough to burn a hole through me. I take a breath, steadying myself before saying, "Hola, mija," and kissing her gently on the forehead.At least she didn’t reject me, I think, grateful for the small victory amidst the tension.

"Is Noah home?" I ask, expecting to find him by her side as soon as I walk in.

"He went to pick up Davey," she replies coolly, her eyes narrowing.

"Mija, I—"

"Mija, nothing, Dad," she cuts me off, her voice rising with anger. "Lisa is one of my best friends."

"I know, Lily," I say gently.

"I told you to stay away from her!" she snaps back. "How could you?"

"Lily, I’ve been falling in love with Lisa since the day I met her," I confess, choosing to be honest from the start.

"In love?" she retorts, disbelief lacing her voice. "Youfallin love so often, I don't think you even know the meaning of the word?"

"That's not fair," I say. "You might not believe me, but I loved your mother. I love you, and I love my grandchild. So yes, I know what love is."

"You cheated on Mom, remember?!" she snaps, the reproach in her voice striking like a slap. "How long before you do the same to Lisa?"

"I was young when I married yourmamá," I say, my voice trembling under the weight of regret. "I made a mistake—a big one—and I’ve paid for it every day since. Hell, I’m still paying for it because you never let me forget it. Do you think I don’t carry that guilt with me? That it doesn’t haunt me in every quiet moment? I’m tired, damn it. Tired of trying to prove I’m not the same reckless fool I was back then. Tired of trying to earn a forgiveness you’ve already decided I don’t deserve."

I pause, my chest tight, the ache in my voice raw. "What’s it going to take, huh? Are you planning to spend the rest of my life reminding me what an awful man I was? Or are you ever going to let me show you the man I’ve worked so hard to become?"

"The problem, Dad," she begins, her tone condescending, "is that you keep coming into my world and causing havoc with the people I love. First Noah, and now Lisa."

"For the hundredth time," I say, trying my best to remain calm, "I didn't know Marian was married. I'm sorry that my life as a bachelor, having been divorced for twenty-two years, crossed paths with a woman who lied to me. But I’m done asking for forgiveness for something I had no control over. Do you understand me, Lily Sophia? I’m done."

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