Page 44 of Unsure in Love

“If you’ve changed your mind about seeing your father, we can leave right now. But I think you’re going to beat yourself up about not trying to talk to him if we do. You want answers. Closure.”

I glanced at him dubiously before looking back at the house. Was closure really possible in a situation like this? Even if I saw my father and got answers, a part of me would always wallow in despair about him leaving the way he did. He just vanished one day without a word.

I took a deep breath and swallowed my fear. “I do want answers, and you’re right. I’ll regret not doing what I came here to do.” Groaning, I murmured, “I feel like I want to hurl again.”

Damian eyed my stomach with a frown. “I’m sorry.”

A soft chuckle escaped despite my low mood. “Damian, you don’t have to apologize for that. You don’t have any control over it.”

His sheepish expression was cute. “I know. I just wish I could make everything better for you.”

My amusement faded, and I sucked in a breath. I’d never allowed myself to rely on anyone for anything. But right now, I wanted to lean on Damian and give him the chance to make things better for me. Having him beside me kind of already made it better, and that was scary. I couldn’t afford to start needing him.

Yanking my hand from under his, I unbuckled my seat belt. Damian stared down at his hand now resting alone on the center console. His soft sigh was audible and rang with a hint of frustration, but he said nothing.

“I should get this over with. If no one answers the door, at least I can say I tried.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

Hand on the door handle, I glanced back at him. God, yes. A part of me wanted him by my side, but this was my family business. I didn’t want to drag him into my drama. “Thanks, but no. I’ll be fine alone.”

For once, he didn’t argue, just nodded. “I’ll be here.”

He was looking straight ahead, so he didn’t see the appreciative look I gave him. Yeah, I was starting to believe that he really would be here no matter what… for the baby, anyway. Surely, he wouldn’t be here if it was just for me.

My eyes roamed the block as I walked to the house where Henry Bennet, now Henry Walker, lived. Apparently, he wanted nothing to do with his family, so much so that he changed his identity. That was why Keneti hadn’t found him sooner. My steps faltered at the reminder when I reached the steps leading up to the front porch. If he changed his name, he obviously wanted nothing to do with his past, including me.

Shaking off my apprehension, I marched up the steps with determination. It was time to stop wondering about Henry. I’d get my answers even if his reason for leaving ended up crushing me. Inhaling, I jabbed the doorbell and waited.

The double garage doors were closed, and there were no cars parked outside the driveway. There was a chance no one was home. I’d chosen to come at this time because Keneti said Henry mostly worked in the evenings and nights as a professor at the local college. He taught Art History. I majored in Art History in college. Subconsciously, I always knew I had the most in common with my father than my sisters. I wasn’t sure why. I just knew.

Just as I was about to try the doorbell again, I heard footsteps rushing to the door. I held my breath. What if it was Henry’s wife or one of his three kids? What on earth would I tell them? I glanced back at the SUV where Damian waited for a little comfort. He was watching me intently.

From here, I could see his frown. I bet he was ready to jump out at any moment and come to my defense. The thought made me smile. I gave a small wave to let him know I was fine. He sat back, seemingly more relaxed, but his attention remained on the porch.

When I turned around, I came face to face with a man I barely remembered. My breath was driven from my lungs. For a moment, I just stared. Henry’s green eyes were almost identical to mine. He was tall, maybe a little over six feet. His black hair was now scattered with gray.

I’d always known I was closer to my father in looks based on pictures I’d seen. I was on the taller side too—a little taller than my sisters at five feet seven inches. They all had either dark blonde or brown hair while mine was black. I didn’t resemble our mother as closely as my four sisters did, so I’d always felt like an oddball.

Henry gazed back at me with furrowed eyebrows. I wasn’t expecting him to know who I was, but it still stung that he didn’t recognize me. The silly sentimental part of me had fantasized about him taking one look at me and realizing who I was. Then, he’d smile and engulf me in a warm embrace and tell me how happy he was that I found him.

“Hello,” he said hesitantly, surveying the sidewalk

Blinking out of my stupor, I forced my brain to work. “H-hi. Henry Ben—Walker?”

His frown deepened, and he nodded. “Yes. Can I help you?” His eyes moved over my face, and they widened a fraction. I think perhaps he started to recognize the similarities between us. He swallowed so hard that his throat bobbed up and down.

My lips parted, but no words came out. I was going to make a fool of myself.

Get it together, Cass. You’ve never been afraid to face anything.

After my mental pep talk, I pulled in a breath. “I’m Cassandra Bennet, your daughter.”

The silence that followed was excruciating. My heart thumped so hard, I feared it would jump right through my chest.

Henry nodded as if getting the confirmation to what he’d feared, then he went pale.

“Oh, God,” he murmured and glanced over his shoulder. “You can’t be here.”

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