Page 247 of Taeja

“So, you’re telling me that your wife and daughter were hurting before your eyes, but you ignored it because your mother told you not to?”

Jerry hung his head low. “Yes, but see my side—”

“I don’t want to see your side. You’re a lawyer, Jerry. The best one I know. People aren’t supposed to easily deceive you, and you let Teddy get into your head time and time again. The damage is already done.” She stood. “I’m leaving. Don’t call me ag—”

Jerry jumped to his feet. “Please give me a chance to make it up to you, Taeja. You are all I have.”

“A now yaa see dat, Jerry? Why mi fi give you another chance?”

“Because I regret what I did to you. I thought I was doing what was best for you, but Cassedi made me realize I was not.”

Taeja’s brows furrowed. “You spoke to Cassedi?”

He nodded. “I called her after you called, and we spoke for a while. I am going to Jamaica today. That is what I have been wanting to tell you. I am trying to right my wrongs, and that starts with you.”

The ice around her heart was melting…

This was all she’d ever wanted in life — her father being willing to be a good man to her. But she’d been traumatized by him for too long now. Maybe this was a ploy.

“I’ll forgive you only if Cassedi does,” Taeja stated firmly.

Jerry’s tense stance slackened. “Thank you, Taeja,” he said, and she nodded. He glanced at his watch again. “I am running behind schedule, but look—” He grabbed his briefcase, which rested on the suitcase. He took out an envelope, stretching it toward Taeja. “This contains a new card with the money I took from your old account and the allowance you would have still gotten. It has my name on it, and I will remove it if you want the card.”

Taeja looked from the envelope to her father. She was unsure what to say.

Jerry continued, “I am no longer in contact with Teddy. I cannot promisethat I will accept your boyfriends, but I will respect them so long as they respect me.”

Taeja teared up. She wanted to rush over and hug him, but she stood firm. She wiped away the tears and nodded. “Okay, Jerry. I hear you. But will you continue paying my utility bills for the semester? You promised you would—”

“I will,” he promised. “Cassedi told me you have a job.”

“I do… Thanks.” She accepted the envelope, and for the first time in a long while, Jerry smiled at her. Warmth filled Taeja as she smiled back.

Jerry looked at his watch. “I need to go now.”

“How long yaa stay?” She watched him grab his suitcase and briefcase.

“However long it takes my wife to forgive me.”

Taeja nodded. “Safe flight, Jerry.”

Nodding, he walked toward the exit, then paused. He looked at her with a soft smile, then closed the door behind himself.

Taeja rested the envelope on the glass-top table, then went in search of Zain. “ZAIN?!”

“Kitchen!” Zain yelled back.

She rerouted in that direction. There he was — leaning against the counter with a large knife resting atop it.

Taeja’s eyes widened. “What were you going to do with that?”

“Why are you asking rhetorical questions?”

Taeja grabbed the knife, then put it away.

“What do you want to eat?” he asked.

“Anything you make is fine,” she said, and he nodded before approaching the pantry. “Where’s Damon?”

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