Page 80 of Freeing Ruby

“What next? Do you want to talk to Edward? He should know what Allen’s done. He should also know that Allen’s not your biological father, and that we think he is.”

She nods. “Yes, we need to tell him.” She sounds so defeated.

“What’s wrong? What are you afraid of?”

“What if he doesn’t want a father-daughter relationship with me?”

“What if he does? What if he’s thrilled to learn he’s your biological father? What if he jumps at the chance to have a relationship with you?”

She nods. “Would you call him, please?”

I call Edward and ask him to come to the new apartment. “Ruby needs to talk to you.”

“Of course!” he says. “I’ll be over as soon as I can. Give me half an hour, tops, okay?”

When I end the call, I lean close and kiss her temple. “I have a feeling you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Edward’s reaction. I’ve seen how he is when he talks about you. It’s obvious he cares for you very deeply.”

“This might change everything.”

* * *

Ruby flinches when there’s a knock at our door. We’re still sitting on the sofa—we haven’t moved since Cartwright left. I think Ruby’s still processing everything the detective told her. And now we’re going to have to relive it all over again when we explain things to Edward.

I let Edward in. We shake hands, and then his gaze goes right to Ruby. “How are you feeling, kiddo?” he asks.

When she just stares at him without answering, he loses his smile. “What’s wrong?”

He crosses the room to sit beside her on the sofa. I sit on her other side.

“Ruby?” Edward asks as he puts his arm around her and draws her close. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

Ruby looks to me to fill him in, so I give him the breakdown of what has transpired since last night. I tell him about Allen’s plot to terrorize Ruby, Darren’s involvement, and that Allen and Darren have both been arrested for attempted murder. By the time I’m done, he looks like a man in shock.

Edward shakes his head. “I can’t believe it. How could Allen—it doesn’t make sense. Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry. How could a father do that to his own daughter?”

“He’s not my father.” Ruby blurts out the words.

Looking shellshocked, Edward glances at me. “What?”

I nod. “It’s true. Allen had a paternity test done years ago. He’s not her biological father. She just found out last night.”

I tell Edward the rest—that Allen had doubts that Ruby was his biological child, and that after Helen died, Allen had a paternity test performed to confirm his suspicions.

It’s pretty clear from the look on Edward’s face that he knew nothing about any of this.

Ruby reaches for Edward’s hand. “Is it possible you’re my father?”

Edward’s eyes widen. “Yes, it’s possible,” he says, confirming our suspicions that he and Helen had a brief affair while she was separated from Allen.

“To be honest,” he says, “I did wonder about the timing of Helen’s pregnancy. I knew it was possible the baby could be mine. But when she never said anything to me about it, and she reconciled with Allen, I assumed I was mistaken. That it must have been wishful thinking on my part.”

Edward reaches out and cups Ruby’s cheek. “I’ve always loved you like you were my own child. You were Helen’s child, and that was enough for me. I couldn’t have loved you more if I’d known you were mine.” He sighs. “Do you—” He stops abruptly, clearly choked up. “Ruby, would you want a relationship with me? Will you let me be your father and make up for all that lost time?”

When she nods, Edward pulls her into his arms. The two of them cling to each other, both overwhelmed with emotion.

Ruby’s quiet sobs are tearing me up.

Edward pats her back and reassures her. “It’s all right, sweetheart.” He kisses the top of her head. “I’m just sorry we didn’t find out sooner.”

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