Page 196 of Beautifully Scarred

As I read through the article, I realize that the interview I gave will probably never be published because Lilah did her own. Where I was polite but kept my answers short, she held nothing back. She talked about it all—her upbringing with an abusive father, her addiction issues, how Bernie tried to use his power against her, and how she kept any knowledge of Monica’s existence from me.

The only part she left out was the death of her father, and I get the distinct sense reading this that it’s more for my benefit than her own.

I can’t believe she did this. She’s basically given the press everything they need to crucify her—which has been her worst fear all along.

Halfway through the article, I have to take a minute to think of the ramifications for her after doing this. I still can’t make sense of why she would.

Near the end of the article, I find my answer.

KEVIN: Some people might wonder why you’ve decided to talk with me today. Do you want to explain your reasons?

LILAH: I’m talking to you today because I’ve learned a very valuable lesson in life, though it’s the one that’s probably taken me the longest to learn. You cannot run from your past. I’ve been so afraid of what the press would say and what my daughter would think when she was old enough to look up all the things they’d say, but the fact is that the past is always going to be there. And I can’t change it. So I’m talking to you today to take back my control. This is my story. This is what I’ve been through and I’m owning it. People can choose to believe it or not. That’s not up to me. And when the time comes, I will explain my past to my daughter so that she knows the truth. I can’t be afraid anymore. I have too much to live for.

I lean backin my seat and let my head fall back.

I’m in awe and more in love with her than ever.

I can’t believe Lilah did it. I know how afraid she was for everything to come out and having to tell Monica one day, but she did it.

An overwhelming pride fills my chest. I’m proud of my girl. I love her, always will, but right now, I’m proud as hell of her.

I don’t know what, if anything, this means for the two of us—whether this means she's willing to deal with the press on a permanent basis or not—but I can’t help but think it bodes well. Maybe she’ll give this a chance.

I glance at my phone and check the time. How fast can this jet get me to my girls?

* * *

“Lilah!”I yell, walking in through her front door. The few hours since I read the article have felt like days and I’m impatient to hold them both.

She walks out of the kitchen, eyes wide and uncertain. “You saw?”

“I saw.” I head straight for her. I can’t stop myself now that she’s here in front of me. When I reach her, I cup her face and bring my lips to hers.

She doesn’t try to stop me, and my tongue slips along the seam of her lips. When she opens to me, I push inside. I can’t help the growl in my throat when our tongues meet. We devour one another, and her hands push into my hair while I tilt her head to just where I want it.

When we come up for air, our gazes are locked.

“When did you decide to talk toHW Life?” I ask.

“It was too painful being away from you, and I was tired of letting my past dictate my future.”

I beam and run my gaze all over her face, committing the peaceful look on her face to memory. “You never fail to surprise me.”

“I’m hoping you like surprises then.”

“Does that mean…”

She bites her bottom lip, that damn bottom lip, and nods. “I don’t want to be without you ever again. I want us to be a family.”

“Really?” I ask.

“Really.”

We both smile at each other.

I take a second to glance around the room. “Where’s Monica?”

“At Eileen’s. I wanted to talk to you in private about the article first.”

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