Page 103 of Winning Brynn

I hope she understands the hurt she's caused by hiding her pregnancy from Leo. He missed out on watching his baby grow, on preparing to be a father, on making decisions about his own life.

Maybe he would have tried to make it work with her, though the thought makes my heart twist with jealousy. But I know Leo. And I know how much he wishes he could give his daughter a family, so he would have done what he thought was the right thing, even if it would have made him miserable in the long run.

And if Issy hadn't wanted that, if she'd still wanted to give up Salem and move to Bali, he wouldn't have thought twice about taking sole custody. But at least he would have had time to prepare for it.

Issy would have known that too, if only she'd given him a conversation.

“I didn’t have his number,” she sighs. “And I figured he wouldn’t believe me if I’d reached out on social media.”

“You could have called the Seattle Strikers and asked to speak with him. You could have had your lawyer find his number.”

“I know.” She hangs her head in defeat. “Honestly, I was terrified of telling him, but I should have tried harder. I’m sorry. I’m just so, so sorry.”

“It isn’t me you should be saying that to, Issy.”

“I know.” She sniffs, wiping her nose on her hoodie. “I don’t think Leo wants to hear it, though.” She chokes a sad chuckle, and I can’t help but put my coffee down on the table and wrap my arms around her.

Because I believe her.

I don’t think she ever meant to hurt anyone, and I truly believe that she hates the fact that she did. People fuck up every day. Yeah, she fucked up big time, but it’s clear to see that she’s been living with the agony of her decision every day since she made it.

She hasn’t been pretending that Salem doesn’t exist, like Leo and I had both thought.

She’s been thinking about her every day, calling her “baby girl” in her head because she didn’t know her own daughter’s name, and beating herself up because she thinks she’s broken in some way for not wanting to be a mom.

She’s caused a lot of pain to other people. But she’s been hurting too.

“He’s scared,” I tell her softly. “I think he thinks you’re going to try to take Salem away from him.”

Her breath catches as she gapes at me. “I would never do that.”

I nod. “He doesn’t know that, though.”

“He’s a good dad to her, right? He loves her?”

I smile because I can’t do anything else when I think about how Leo is with his daughter. “He’s the best,” I tell her honestly. “And he loves that little girl with everything he has.”

Her shoulders sag in relief, as if they’ve been rigid with tension and worry since the day she gave up Salem. “That makes me really happy.”

“Do you love her?”

Her expression is honest and true when she says, “Yes.” She blows out a long breath. “Probably not in the same way that Leo does, but in my own kind of way, yeah.”

“Do you really want to be in her life?” I ask, though I’m hesitant as I do.

Because what I’m about to suggest has the potential to ruin what I have with Leo. He might mistake it as a betrayal or think I’m not on his side, even though that wouldn’t be the case. I am on his side. But I’m on Salem’s too. If having a relationship with her mom is a possibility, then she deserves to have it.

Issy nods silently, fresh tears waterfalling down her swollen cheeks.

“Then I’ll talk to Leo.”

Text thread between Leo and Brynn

Leo:You doing okay?

Brynn:Yeah, I'm fine.

Leo:You don't have to lie to me, you know? It's okay if you're not fine.

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