Page 49 of Until You (Forgive Me)

Christian sank onto one of the bar stools. Damian entered the room and moved to stand next to Star.

“Hey, Christian,” he said, wrapping his hands around Star’s waist before dropping a kiss on her shoulder.

Christian watched as Star dropped her head back against him as if absorbing his strength.

“It’s not what it seems,” Christian continued. “We spoke about it. She told me they set her up. She has no reason to lie. We were together in Thailand. It was never supposed to be more than that. But Star, I can’t turn my back on her. This isn’t her fault.”

Christian dropped his chin to his chest.

“She’s the one,” Damian said quietly.

Christian raised his head and stared at his friend.

“She’s the one, at Halloween. When I spoke about relationships. She’s the reason you left.”

Christian forgot how perceptive Damian was. Whether because he’d learned to read people and the room so well in marketing or he’d somehow given it away. But Christian knew there was little point in denying what was true.

“It was. We met up by chance and hit it off. I haven’t seen her in five months, although we’ve spoken on the phone.”

“I’m sorry, Christian. But I can’t do this... I’m sorry.”

Christian watched in horror as Star’s eyes filled with tears, and she left the kitchen.

Damian lent forward, both arms on the counter in front of him.

“Oh shit,” Christian realising what he had just said. “I need to apologise.”

“Give her time,” Damian said through tight lips.

Christian ran a hand through his hair, stopping and pulling the roots in frustration. What must Star think? He couldn’t turn his back on her. But to Star, that was precisely what he did to Lily, her sister. A woman he’d professed to love with all his heart, who was carrying his child—his daughter. He’d stood by and done nothing while his father called her a lying, filthy whore before slamming the door in her face. Christian felt a lump form in his throat. The painful memories of that day, like a vice on his chest. Even after all these years, the memory physically hurt. Something had snapped inside him. Driven by his desire to take control of his life and rebuild the business. A part of him had remained broken... until his visit to Thailand five months ago.

It was at that moment Skylar came running back into the room, freezing at the doorway, sensing the tension in the air. Both Christian and Damian gave her a strained smile. A look of confusion crossed her brow. She was not a baby anymore. She was eight.

“Where’s Mummy?” she asked, looking around for Star.

“Mummy had to lie down, Munchkin. The baby is making her tired,” Damian said, trying to put her racing mind at rest.

Skylar nodded, although she shot Christian a concerned look. His daughter was incredibly perceptive.

Christian held out his hands for the book she was carrying. He wanted to distract her, then get out of their hair. He needed to give Star some space. She’d opened her and Skylar’s life to him, and he’d just stamped all over her feelings.

Skylar spent the next twenty minutes going through her book. Christian had to admit the pictures they’d taken were good. The work Damian had done with Skylar showed the deep affection he had for his stepdaughter. She was a very loved little girl.

As soon as Skylar had finished showing him her book, Christian made his excuses.

“I’m sorry, Princess, Daddy has to finish some work. You’ve done a wonderful job on your project.”

“But Daddy, you’ve been away.”

She knew how to tug at his heartstrings.

Damian stepped in. “Come on, Munchkin, you know that’s why Daddy has to go. You can catch up with him in a few days. You break up for half term tomorrow. There’ll be plenty of time.”

Christian shot Damian a grateful look as Skylar gave him a reluctant hug and a kiss goodnight before running upstairs to her room.

“Please tell Star I’m sorry. It came out wrong... as I told her last year, I’m not the same man. I’ve changed. There’s so much...”

Christian stopped himself. Therewereno excuses for his past behaviour. What did the truth really matter? It changed nothing. It wouldn’t bring Lily back.

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