Lucas POV
“Hello, Erin.”
Erin’s eyes zeroed in on the food bags, and they automatically sparkled like fairy lights.
She jumped up and down in excitement.
“Slow down!” I said, horrified.
Suddenly, I panicked at the thought that the sudden movement would put a strain on her body. She was still recovering from her surgery.
But Erin did not seem to mind.
“Did you buy pancakes from Delia’s? It’s my favorite.” The delight in her voice was unmistakable.
&n
Katherine POVI saw the disappointment in Lucas’ eyes when I came back dressed in jeans and a shirt. Until now, I was not confident with my appearance as a woman.Even Greg did not make me feel desired during those years we were married, especially in the months he was cheating on me.“Coffee?” Lucas offered the mug on the side.“I already made myself at home and asked Sara if I could borrow your coffee maker.” He explained with his palm on the back of his head after I received the mug.I nodded and thanked him before taking a sip.Erin stood on
Lucas POVI asked Erin to play with her dolls for a while when I received a notification from my phone.It was an email from Duke.There was a link and a message that said, I think this would make you happy. Enjoy watching.I clicked the link. At first, the lights blinded me. It was only later that I realized that it was an indoor shoot.In the video clip, Agatha came in while everyone was busy shooting.No one attended to her unlike before when she used to have a grand entrance and everyone goes “gaga” over her. The production crew, even the director, would fawn
Katherine POVMy eyes widened in horror when I heard Erin’s voice.I jumped out of my chair and ran out of the kitchen to find Veronica inside the apartment. She was talking to Erin, but the glint in her eyes was unmistakable when she met mine.I strode briskly to her side to grab her elbow so she could follow me to the kitchen, but Veronica resisted.She turned her gaze to our boss, who did not seem unfazed that one of my co-workers found him in my home.“Good morning, Mr. Sanders. I did not know that you and Katherine were friends.” She said in a tone that was full of meaning.I bit my lip and groaned in my head.“Mr. Sanders dropped by to visit Erin.”It was the truth anyway. He did not inform me he was coming over.At the same time, I shot Veronica a warning glare. She bit her lips, but I could feel her laughing at my embarrassment.After exchan
Lucas POVAwkward. That is how I felt every time I would meet Veronica’s gaze from across the cramped living room of Katherine's apartment. After Erin disappeared with Katherine in one of the rooms to presumably change into outdoor clothing, leaving me with Veronica Miller.When it was just Erin and me, the space did not bother me so much, but with Veronica, the silence felt uncomfortable. When Erin and Katherine emerged from the room, I heaved a huge sigh of relief and stood from the couch. Veronica, who sat from across me, stood, too. “Uncle Lucas, I am ready,” Erin reported. She changed into denim pants, a blouse, and sneakers. Strapped on her shoulder toward the middle of her chest was a crossbody bag with a pink pig design. And unlike earlier, her hair is now gathered into a ponytail. I smiled when she latched her small hand to mine and felt a tingle in my heart. Then, I looked at her mother.“She is allergic to peanuts.” Katherine reminded me and handed me a backpack w
Lucas POVThen, I began to panic when she started panting in my arms.“What is wrong?”I pulled from our embrace to check and was shocked to see her paper-white face.“Erin!” Immediately, I carried her in my arms and ran toward the exit.“Emergency!” I cried to the people we met, and they would immediately veer off course to give us space.People were staring, probably out of curiosity. Some cleared the way for us to pass through unimpeded.“Medic!” Someone called, but I was already running out of the mall.I was breathing heavily, my heart in my throat, when we reached the mall's entrance and saw one of my assistants waiting.“Get the car!” I shouted, and he radioed for the car.It came a few seconds later. With Erin still in my arms, I climbed in, putting her in my lap. My heart was in my throat whil
Katherine POV“Why didn’t you join them to complete Erin's family?” Veronica teased, but her words struck a chord in me. It was something I had been longing for my daughter. “Don’t get ideas into my head. I don’t want to disappoint my girl again.” I told her, shaking my head. Veronica shrugged. “Have you seen their bond? I wondered if there was something you are not telling me.” Veronica arched her brows, making my heart beat fast. “W-what?” I stammered.I cleared my throat, and Veronica looked pointedly at me. “I don’t know. Did you and the boss have a history together that you were not telling me about? I am sorry, but I can't shake this feeling that he was more like Erin's father than Greg was." Now, my heart’s beat quickened faster at the mere suggestion. No matter how far-fetched the idea was, it managed to shake me to the core.But that would be ridiculous!“You are insane. What past are you talking about? I had only known the boss during those months when he and Greg we
Katherine POVTears formed in my eyes as I stared into Lucas Sanders’s stormy ones. How did he guess that Erin was not Greg’s?Did Greg tell him?I wiped my cheeks with the palms of my hand when I noticed the tears as I tried to regulate my breathing. Also, I needed a break from the piercingly cold of Lucas Sanders’ gaze. My heart started to beat fast, and my breathing slowed. I was panting as I tried to assimilate what Lucas meant. Even the anger emanating from him did not make any sense. “What is wrong with you?” I lashed out, unable to control the cold dread seeping from every pore of my body. Lucas Sanders ignored my question. He was breathing hard like he was trying to control himself.I, too, am biding for time to collect myself when Lucas Sanders speaks again. This time with a quiet determination. “Who is Erin’s father? Is she Greg’s?” He enunciated each word as if he were talking to a dimw*t. I shook my head in frustration. How the h*ll should I know? All I knew w
Katherine POVI gasped as confusion filled me. I really don’t know what is happening. All I know is that the proof is right before my eyes. I had been suspecting it but considered it was too far-fetched. Now that the truth was right in front of me, there is no way I can deny it. Tears blurred my vision as I stared at the man I only knew as my boss. “How? Why?”I asked as I tried to digest what was written in the paternity test. His name stood out, and Erin’s. The number says they were a match. Ninety-nine point nine percent. The tears that welled in my eyes trickled down my cheeks, painting a line down to my chin. “You are Erin’s father?” I almost choked the words out. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that this would happen? It was too incredible. I had my hunch. His extraordinary closeness with my daughter and Erin’s affection toward him. Those clues I tried to brush off because there is no conclusive evidence to fund it. I was going for a gut feeling, a
Veronica POVIt was some minutes later before I decided to move, horrified to the realization that I stink. I pulled on the neckline of my dress and grimaced, smelling the stench of stale alcohol. I almost puked. I wondered what Oliver might have thought earlier. “I was such a turn-off,” I mumbled while tracing my way to the bathroom to shower. Then, I got ready for work. Before leaving, I went to the kitchen for a much-needed coffee intake. I sat down on the kitchen chair, trying to play in my head what happened last night before I passed out due to drunkenness. At about the same time, I remembered Nanny Miller's notebook and ran to the living room in search of it. In a flurry of emotions yesterday, I had forgotten all about it. It took a full minute before I found it wedged between the armchair and the side table. I wondered what secrets it held. After putting the notebook in a safe place, I came out of the room just as the tea kettle whistled, indicating the water had rea
Veronica POV"Just kidding, I already signed everything to John so I am back to my old poor self," I told him before letting go of my glass. It rolled on the table and was about to fall off the floor when Oliver caught it in time. “That’s a neat trick!” I slurred because his eyes never left mine. Oliver looked like he was between believing and dismissing my claim.Who cares what he thinks? Certainly not me. I patted the smooth wooden finish of the kitchen table before placing my crossed arms atop it for my pillow. I felt sleepy all of a sudden. I kicked my shoes off to get more comfortable and rested my face on my arms with my eyes closed. Then, I remembered to leave instructions to Oliver Manns. "Don't forget to lock my door when you leave." I reminded Oliver, angling my head slightly to focus one glassy eye on him while the other was shut. It was a quick look because I could not stand the overhead light. I closed my eyes once more. I did not know anything after that.So
Veronica POVI went inside my unit morosely, thinking about what happened at the monastery today.Without bothering to turn on the light, I slumped on my sofa, feeling drained. The events of the day washed down on me. Never in my wildest dreams did I realize that this reunion would turn out to be a permanent goodbye? I remembered what Nanny Miller told me earlier. “Forgive, and let go.” Who should I forgive? My father? His wife? And their son who did not consider me family and instead treated me like a servant in their house?If I did not learn how to hustle, I wouldn’t be able to finish high school because his wife did not want me to learn. They said that servitude is my calling and that nothing good will ever come out of me. That’s why I strove to be better and live well. I learned how to fight to live because who else would do it for me?The only consolation I had was Nanny Miller. She was the only reason I lasted eighteen years in that house. I shook my head and sighed
Oliver POVI was leaning on a wall, a few feet away from Veronica and the woman she called Nanny Miller. She was crying, and her tears inexplicably tugged at my heartstrings. But every time I thought about seeing her meeting secretly with John Quinn, I could not help suspicion gnaw at me. I can’t figure her out, and it’s making me crazy. Is she a friend or a foe?Nanny Miller gently wiped Veronica’s tears away before loving tucking the loose strands that escaped her ponytail to the back of her ear. It was a gentle gesture borne out of love. “How have you been? I returned to that house, but they told me you were gone.” Veronica sniffed and wiped her face with the palm of her hand. Nanny Miller had this gentle look while she stared at Veronica’s face.“There was no point in staying when you left.” Nanny Miller said, smiling. She was a beautiful woman. Her eyes were wise and warm. She looked like she weathered a few storms in her life and came out stronger. Veronica held Nanny M
Veronica POVBefore I put the paper I got from John, I tucked it in my memory, safe and secure. “Nanny Miller,” I said her name in my head countless times. I walked from the coffee shop to a nearby cab terminal when I heard a honk behind me. I sidestepped closer to the curb to resume walking when the car honked again. This time, I made sure to stop and let the car drive past me when I noticed that it was the same car Oliver used. The window opened, and Oliver’s face appeared. “Where are you going? Let me take you there.” He offered.I was surprised. I thought he had already left after dropping me off. Did he wait for me to conclude my meeting?I shook my head to thank him for the offer. I would rather go alone. This is a personal business and has nothing to do with our friends. “Thanks, but no,” I replied and resumed walking.I was already a few feet away from the terminal when I noticed the absence of cabs waiting for passengers. Oliver persisted. And the next thing I knew,
Veronica POV“I am okay here. Leave.” I told Oliver Manns after he parked his car outside a popular coffee shop in Berkeley.My eyes became alert as I surveyed the shop from our distance.“Stop being rude. I am not your driver, miss.” His tone brimmed with sarcasm.I decided to disregard it while I got busy unclasping my seatbelt.Despite getting into a frenzy, I hadn’t forgotten my manners. “Thank you,” I said, opening the door to my side to get out.Unfortunately, Oliver Manns opened his side of the door and was about to get out, too.&nb
Oliver POVI followed Veronica toward the makeshift altar. We did not talk, and it worked just fine for me. Pachelbel’s Canon in D wafted in the air, and the processional began. After Lucas walked the beige-colored carpet, the coordinator nodded in my direction to indicate my turn. I squared my shoulders and began walking until I reached Lucas, and I stood beside him. We both face the end of the aisle to watch the rest of the entourage walk toward their seats. Then, it was Erin’s turn. Lucas smiled, watching Erin walk the aisle holding a cute flower basket made from dried rattan. From time to time, she stops to toss flower petals in the air before resuming her walk. When she reached Lucas, she smiled and made an okay sign. Lucas responded by giving her two thumbs up. Then, she lifted her arms to Lucas, wanting to be carried. Lucas indulged her. He grunted when he bent to pick her up, amusing the guests. Erin's arms surrounded Lucas's neck. Now, it was Veronica’s turn.
Veronica POVI watched my friend meet our boss on her bridal walk at that spectacular spread by the beach. The white decorations embellished generously with varied shades of lavender were most appealing to the eyes.With the backdrop of seawater, the color seemed to translate into tranquility - a soothing balm for my soul.“You look maudlin. Aren’t you happy for your friend? Or maybe you are expecting her to suffer until now.” A man asked from the side.The accusation stung.The mocking tone in his voice left a bad taste in my mouth.Why was it
Katherine POVFor a moment, I thought he changed his mind, allowing doubt to creep in. But living in fear for too long makes one realize that there was a moment when she had to seize the moment and take a risk. Right now, I took a risk when I affirmed his question because he had become hesitant after asking the question. The glassy look on his face made me doubt if he was indeed serious with the proposal. But of course, raising your guard for a long time comes with a price -vulnerability. I tried to mask that weakness by pretending to be impatient, but inside, I was freaking out. What if he recalls the proposal?I grabbed his hand - the one with the engagement ring - to prove that the whole thing was not just a figment of my imagination. It was real. Lucas Sanders proposed to me. He had mentioned it previously but always tailed it with words that he would wait for my readiness. I realized no one was ready for anything. You take and accept things because they feel right. When L