Page 28 of Four Fiances & I

“Yeah, I was like that when I first moved in with the guys. I remember Danielle making fun of me because my shoes were dead and crying all the way home. When Sean took me out and bought me six pairs, I felt like a charity case. But slowly, I've learnt that they mean it when they say what is theirs is mine. Plus, my bank account is looking better than ever as my performance pay doesn’t get touched.”

“I don’t want people to know I’m rich,” Verity sighs, looking back to the horses. “I don’t want to be treated any differently than I was before.”

“Then don’t tell anyone. No one needs to know what goes on outside of the school unless you want them to.”

Verity nods in agreement, and we are quiet for a moment before she speaks again.

“So Travis never told Christian about who my real father may be?” I shake my head and am surprised when a smile appears on her face.

“Do you know who it is?” I ask, shocked. Verity giggles and shakes her head.

“Not exactly; we know it's one of two guys.” Watching the way her smile widens; I feel my jaw drop.

“No?”

“Yep, my mum lived in this house with two guys. They were in all in a relationship with each other.”

“Your mum was like us?” I ask, sitting forward suddenly, making the seat underneath us rock, causing us both to start laughing as we panic; we are about to fall off.

“Yeah,” Verity answers, still giggling. “My auntie has been telling me more about them. We’ve actually met one of them. He's the one Mum and Auntie always believed was my father.”

“Who, damn it!” I demand, desperate to know.

“Remember the guy Dave who comes to a few shows a year and has even talked to us a few times.”

“Of course, he is a sweetheart, always talking about how much his wife loved to dance.”

“Well, it looks like he was talking about my mum.”

“So you think he knows?” I demand. Verity shrugs and looks back towards the horses.

“Auntie Trish thinks that he suspects, which is why he watches a couple of shows whenever he is in the country.” Verity looks down at her doll and starts playing with its hair. “She says that he never got over losing my mum. That he fought for her, but my… Henry was a bastard and made sure my mum had no idea he was still around.”

“Christian said something about Henry stalking her.”

Verity nods.

“Yeah, he scared the other two guys off. One of the guys has married and has kids but knows there is a chance I’m his and would be happy to find out if I choose to. Then there's Dave, who has always checked in on me, even from afar, and apparently, I look a little like him.”

“Do you want to find out which one it is?” I ask carefully. Verity nods her head but lets out a deep sigh.

“I do, but not yet. Travis thinks I need to come to terms with a few things before I learn more life-changing information. I agree with him and am scheduled to start therapy on the fourth. I want to ensure I’m in the right frame of mind before coming face to face with the father that was kept from me.”

“What if he hears about Henry and comes looking for you?” I ask, worried the decision may be taken away from her. But Verity shakes her head.

“He won’t. We aren’t going to tell anyone Henry’s dead. We will act like he has returned to the States and slowly stop mentioning him. If people ask, we will just say there was a family falling out, so Linda and him are no longer talking to any of us. I will admit he’s not my real father and leave it at that.” A sad smile appears on her lips. “Let's face it, no one will question it as he was never here anyway.”

“And what's happening with Linda?” I ask. “Have the guys heard from her?”

“Not since Boxing Day. She turned up at Travis’s and called me every name under the sun, blaming me for everything that had happened. We didn’t know Henry was dead at that point, so as far as we are aware, she still thinks he's alive. Hopefully, she will go back to the States and live off all the money they have over there. Travis left a message telling her we don’t want anything and she can keep it all. But if she ever contacts any of us again, we will take it all back, leaving her with absolutely nothing.”

“Go Daddy Travis!” I laugh as Verity smiles, nodding.

“He is rather epic. They have all been amazing, and I know I wouldn’t be here without them.”

“Don’t say that; you are one of the strongest women I know; you would have survived, even without them.”

Verity chews on her lip for a second before whispering.

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