Page 41 of When Dawn Breaks

“My mom, but she would never go against my father. She supported his claim that I instigated the whole thing. That was the real eye-opener for me. I realized right then and there that the person I was trying the most to protect had no interest in being protected or protecting me for that matter. Vi posted bail for me the next day, and the charges were later dropped. I think my dad realized that he risked opening a door he may not be able to close if he pursued action against me. As soon as I was cleared I packed up all the things I couldn’t live without and came here.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. Don’t feel sorry for me.”

“I do feel sorry for you,” I admit.

“Don’t,” he bites, once again pushing to his feet. “I can take everything else but not that.”

“Why? I care about you, and it hurts me that you were going through this for years and you never said anything. I could’ve helped you. I could’ve been there for you,” I insist, quickly standing and closing the short distance between us.

“I didn’t want you to know because I didn’t want you to look at me the way you’re looking at me right now.”

“What are you talking about? How am I looking at you?”

“Like I’m a victim. Like I’m weak.”

“You are a victim, Anthony. Saying you’re not doesn’t change that. But I don’t see you as weak. In fact, I think you’re incredibly strong for carrying that weight all by yourself.”

“You know, the first time I met you I was instantly drawn to you.” His statement catches me off guard, and it takes a moment for my gears to shift from what we were talking about to what he just said. “You were so beautifully broken that it took my fucking breath away.”

Words completely fail me, and I can’t seem to do anything but just stand here looking up at a man who sees me more clearly than any other person probably ever has.

“I remember looking into your eyes and thinking, fuck, this girl gets it.”

It should bother me that he doesn’t even need to know about my past to know there is one, but oddly enough it’s kind of liberating in a way.

“I can go with you, you know. To Connecticut,” I blurt, needing to turn the subject back to the matter at hand and pull the focus from myself.

“I already told you, I’m not going. He can die and get it over with already. He’s been dead to me for years.”

“Well, if you change your mind, my offer stands.”

“Come here,” he says, the first semblance of a smile on his lips as he once again pulls me into his arms. Dropping a kiss on the top of my head, he mutters into my hair, “There’s only one place in the world I want to be right now, and this is it.”

“Is it because of my incredible cooking skills or my superior housekeeping abilities?” I joke, knowing neither are much of a strong suit of mine.

“Let’s go with C—none of the above.” He chuckles against me, and I’m relieved to feel him physically relax a little.

“Hey now.” I pull back and lay a playful smack to his bare chest.

“If I wanted to be beat on, I wouldn’t have moved all the way across the country,” He laughs, grabbing my hand and placing it back over the spot I just hit.

“I’m sorry I…” I trail off, not really sure how to address what he just said. It’s clear he’s joking, but it feels forced.

“Relax, Kingsley, it’s called a joke.” He smiles down at me.

“It’s not something one typically jokes about.”

“You know what, I really don’t care. In the matter of an hour, I not only learned my dad is dying, but for the first time ever I told someone the truth of the relationship I have with him. I think I’ve earned the right to laugh at my situation.”

“You’ve never told anyone what you just told me?”

“Like I said, Sebastian knows bits and pieces, but you’re the only person who now knows the full story.”

“Thank you.” I’m not sure where the statement comes from, but it’s off my lips before I can stop it.

“Um, why are you thanking me?” He looks down at me with a funny expression on his face.

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