Page 94 of Shattered Union

"Callie..." she begins as I turn on my heel. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out. Holly said something today that hurt."

I step closer to her. My movements wary. The last thing I want is to spook her. "What did she say?" I question.

She glances at the floor. "She told me you're going to be busy when the babies come. That I need to stop being around you all the time."

Red hot anger spears through me. "I'm sorry?" I hiss. "She said fucking what?"

Chloe takes a step backward, her eyes wide and her face pale.

"Chloe, while yes, when the babies arrive, I'm going to be busy, but that will never mean I won't have time for you. I'll always be here for you."

I'm so fucking mad right now. How dare she?

"Promise?"

I open my arms and she flies into them. I wrap her up in a hug, clenching her tightly. "You may not be my child, Chloe, but I love you as though you are." I press a kiss to her head. "You're special, girlie. Always have been. I knew you before I knew you were Denis's daughter. I'm never going to stop being here for you, just as I wasn't when your dad and I weren't together. Okay?"

Tears shine in her eyes and she nods. "I love you," she whispers softly.

My heart melts at her words. My throat closes slightly. Jesus, how did I get so lucky to have so many people love me? "I love you too. From the bottom of my heart. Always, Chloe."

Her smile is shy, almost as if she doesn't believe me.

"Even if things between your dad and I don't work out," I tell her, praying we'll always be together. "I'll always love you and be here for you."

Her arms tighten around me. "Thank you."

God, she shouldn't be thanking me for loving her. It's natural.

"Come on, let's get to dinner, I'm starving," I tell her with a grin as I let go of her and walk to the sofa where my handbag is.

She takes my hand and we walk out of the house and toward my car. "You're going to have to apologize to your dad," I tell her. "He was really upset this morning."

She nods. "Yeah, he was really mad at me. He kept saying that you deserved better than having to wait for us or even think we weren't coming. He really loves you."

I grin. "That's good, because I really love him."

27

Denis

"Da," Holly says, her bright eyes pleading with me. "I never said that, honestly. She's got it wrong."

I take a deep breath, trying to quell the anger I have. Pissed isn't even the word I'd use to describe how I'm feeling right now. "So tell me what the hell was said?"

Chloe's sitting on the sofa, pressed tightly against Callie. Danny sitting on the other side of her, while Melissa is beside Callie. Makenna and Dante are standing beside the fireplace. Neither one looks happy. Malcolm and Raylee are sat on the love seat, glaring at Holly.

"She said that you're all moving in with Callie, and she was telling me all the things she has planned. All I said was Callie was pregnant and she may not be able to do some of that stuff." Holly explains, leaning closer to her husband, who’s jaw’s clenched and his eyes glinting with anger.

Chloe bites her lip, her eyes flashing with anger. "You told me I need to stop being around her all the time."

I watch as Holly's eyes narrow, her mouth opening wide in shock. "Stop fecking lying. I never said that. I actually said how glad I was that you were so close. Whatever the hell your problem is, don't bring me into it," she hisses.

Chloe's cheeks flush. "Oh," she mumbles. "Maybe I misheard."

"Okay, it's done. No more arguing. Go give her a hug," Callie instructs Chloe. Realising that Chloe overreacted and made it into a bigger problem than it actually was.

She doesn't hesitate. She instantly gets to her feet and rushes to her older sister, throwing her arms around her, and the two of them murmur to each other.

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