Page 50 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

I pull up and park in front of the school, resting my hand on the back of the passenger seat so I can look at her. She grabs her backpack and nods.

When her hazel gaze meets mine, something in me breaks as I see the truth staring back at me. My daughter is just as captivated with Cat as I am.

Duncan’s question steamrolls over my thoughts, and my heart lodges in my throat.

What will losing Cat do to Scarlett? She was too young to fully process what happened with Fi, but Cat? Cat she’ll remember.

Did I just set my daughter up for her first heartbreak? Did I set myself up for another?

Tears burn the back of my eyes, and I swallow past the lump forming in my throat.

A tap on the window interrupts, and I see a young boy waving at Scarlett. My eyes narrow, and my lips press together. The smile that crosses my daughter's face reminds me that life is filled with the possibility of all different forms of heartbreak.

I now have a whole different reason to worry, even as a wry grin tugs at my mouth.

Maybe I can figure out a way to wrap her in protective bubble wrap? Keep her safe from all the dangers of the world.

Scarlett turns her face to me, and the zest for life reflected there has my breath catching.

She goes to push the door open, but it’s locked.

“Let me out, Daddy!” She orders, making me chuckle.

Pressing the unlock button, her door flings open. “Have a good day at school. I love—”

The door slams as Scarlett turns and gives me a quick wave before beaming a bright smile at the boy walking next to her.

“Steven,” I grumble.

Steven’s look of adoration as he walks with her makes me realize my daughter will be the one breaking hearts everywhere she goes.

The tiny fissure that cracks along mine right now is proof.

As for Cat…I’ll think about her and our hearts later.

Chapter Twenty

Cat

TheeasewithwhichI’ve settled into David’s house and life has my defenses crumbling. It’s too easy. It feels too good. And the worst part, it feels like I’ve finally come home.

This feeling of belonging has been something I’ve craved since my parents split. To find it under these circumstances, with this family, leaves me terrified.

There are moments when I catch David watching me, and my heart races, but then the moment passes, and I see the pain and confusion in his eyes. I can never be Fiona. I would never dream of taking her place. She’s Scarlett’s mother and always will be.

But is it possible for him to let me in, too?

Tightening my grip on the steering wheel, I blow out a deep breath. I need to let go of these love ideas.

This marriage is serving a very specific purpose, and that’s where I need to keep my focus.

This marriage isn’t about love.

I sent Aunt Dottie’s attorney my wedding documentation and was grateful he didn’t ask any questions about the timing or the person.

There was no stipulation that I needed to marry for love; it just said I needed to be married. My marriage to David meets the requirements of the will, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling like a total fraud.

Pretending is the hardest part, especially when I’m pretty sure that I’m not.

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