Page 83 of Scarlet Secrets

“I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

I take a sip of the coffee, cradling the cup in both hands. “Because… because no child should feel that, or be hurt like that. I’m glad he loved Alina, but if he didn’t show you the same love, it’s cruel.”

“Hey,” he says, setting his coffee down. “You talk like you knew him. And yours?”

“They were good. I never knew my father, but my stepfather was a nice man.” I take another sip. “But we’re talking about you, not me.”

“My father was a fucking cunt, if you want the truth. At least he taught me how not to treat children.” He pauses. “I hope.”

And my heart hurts for him.

Kara would call me gullible, tell me this is why I needed to get out and date like a normal person and stop using the excuse of Sasha as the excuse to not letting a man in.

She’s wrong.

I just want to devote my time to my son, to give him the best. After all, I’m doing double parent duty.

Or was.

“You’re doing a good job.”

“You think?”

I nod. “Apart from locking me up.” I rush past my tease. “And it’s clear you never let your father’s favoritism affect your relationship with Alina. I can see how you love her, and she worships you.”

“She offered to help you run away,” he says dryly. “So I don’t know about that.”

But I don’t miss the pride in his voice.

“I think that was a test, and she just buried Max.”

“Honestly? I don’t think I could be mad at her.”

I smile, thinking about Tom. “Well, your love for her says a lot about you as a person.”

Demyan shrugs. “She’s my only family.”

“There’s Sasha.”

He dips his head as he smiles. “I’d do anything for those I love.”

“Can we… can we start fresh? Keeping him from you might have been wrong, but it was out of love. I’d do anything to protect him. But now? He deserves to know his father, and you deserve to get to know your son.”

He turns and looks at me, and it’s hard to breathe. With shaking fingers, I set down the coffee.

“I have every intention of being there for my kid, Erin. And you, too.”

“Me?” My fingers grip the hem of my dress. I’m not family, hell half of me is hoping he’ll allow me in, like he is now, but he’s talking about a family unit, isn’t he? “Me?”

“You’re the mother of my child.”

“I don’t need your financial help, that’s not what I mean by wanting you to be a part of his life. This is about him, notme. I don’t expect anything. I know we need to work out the living arrangements, and?—”

“There’s nothing to discuss. You both will live here and at my penthouse in the city.”

“And how do you explain me to your dates?”

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