Chapter Fifty

Emily was left uncertain by Damian's recent statements. She did not know which of the secrets frightened her more.

"Someone has uncovered something else," Damian said, and Emily looked at him.

"What did they discover?" " Emily asked.

Damian fixed his attention on his phone.

"I'm not sure yet," he responded. "The caller didn't explain over the phone."

"Who was it, then?" " Emily urged.

"My father's former attorney," Damian said. "He said he found another document among records that had recently been moved from an old storage space."

Emily's heart pounded.

"Does it mention my father?" she inquired.

"I'm not certain," Damian answered.

They remained silent for several moments.

Emily looked at the file Damian had placed on the dashboard.

Her father's name was still legible.

She was unable to understand it.

Her parents had both passed away, yet while they were alive, they had never revealed anything to her about Damian's family.

They could not have known what had happened with Damian's parents.

Whatever link had existed between them had taken place without Emily knowing.

Damian got the vehicle going.

“Where are we going?” Emily asked.

“To my workplace, because I need to look over the file myself,” Damian responded as Emily gave a nod.

But as Damian drove away, something dawned on her.

She had come here tonight intending to tell him about the pregnancy.

She could not put it off any longer.

Not anymore.

___

The drive to Damian's office passed in silence.

Damian stole glances at her now and then.

Emily kept her eyes on the scenery outside the window.

At last, Damian broke the silence.

"You've been very quiet," he observed.

"There's something I need to tell you," Emily replied.

Damian glanced at her briefly.

"Is it about the document?"

"No," she answered.

"Then what is it?" he inquired.

Emily swallowed hard.

She had imagined this moment many times. She had envisioned Damian smiling.

She had imagined him being surprised.

She had pictured him getting angry.

She had considered everything but this situation. She rested her hands in her lap.

"Damian, I came here tonight because I needed to talk to you about something important."

He waited calmly.

Emily drew a deep breath.

"I'm going to have a baby," she confessed.

The car stayed silent.

Damian's hold on the steering wheel grew tighter.

He stayed quiet for a number of moments.

Emily kept her eyes on him.

“I learned about it at the hospital,” she continued. “Sophia was there with me. I held off telling you because I needed time to work through what was happening. ”

At last, Damian steered the vehicle to the side of the street.

He switched off the engine.

Then he turned to face her.

“Are you sure? ” Damian asked.

Emily gave a nod and replied, “Yes. ”

“How long have you known? ” Damian inquired.

“For a short time,” Emily answered.

“And you kept it from me? ”

Emily looked away.

“I was scared. ”

Damian studied her with intense focus.

“Are you scared of me? ”

“No,” Emily answered. “Scared of everything that would change once you knew. ”

Damian said nothing.

Tears filled Emily's eyes.

“I wasn't trying to hurt you,” she said. “I just needed some time. ”

Damian reached for her hand.

“Is it my baby?” He asked.

That question wounded Emily. Because she believed Damian trusted her. But she wouldn't let it show. “Yes, it's yours,” she replied.

“You're having my child,” he said gently.

Emily gave a nod.

He turned his gaze away briefly.

When his eyes met hers once more, his expression had grown gentler.

"You should have told me," Damian said.

"I understand," Emily answered.

Damian held her hand more tightly.

"I'm not upset," Damian said.

Emily looked at him.

"You're not?" Emily asked.

"No," Damian answered. "I'm surprised. But I'm not upset."

A tear slid down Emily's cheek.

Damian gently wiped it away.

"We'll work this out," he said.

Emily nodded in acknowledgment.

For the first time since leaving the hospital, she felt some of the weight lift.

She had told him everything.

The secret was no longer hers to carry alone.

Yet, just as they were about to resume their discussion, Damian's phone rang again.

He took a quick look at the screen.

It was the lawyer.

Damian answered the call.

"Hi!" Damian said.

The attorney's voice came through the phone.

"Mr. Knight, I have begun looking into the case."

Damian's expression changed.

"What did you find?" Damian asked.  A long silence followed.

Then the attorney answered.

"The file concerns your father and Thomas Reed."

Damian's jaw tightened.

"And what about Emily's father?"

Damian asked. The attorney paused for a moment.

"Is he mentioned too?” He asked.

“He is mentioned as well,” the lawyer said.

Emily felt her heart sink.

“What kind of information does it hold? ” Damian asked.

Another silence followed.

Then the lawyer made a statement that left Damian frozen in place.

“Your father didn't meet with Thomas Reed for business reasons. ”

Damian shifted his gaze to Emily.

“Then why? ” Damian asked.

The lawyer drew a deep breath.

“They were trying to stop something. ”

Damian's voice grew quieter.

“Stop what?” he asked.

The attorney held back his answer.

When he finally spoke, his words changed everything.

“Something that had to do with Emily's parents. ”

Emily went motionless.

Damian turned his gaze toward her.

And in that instant, the history they thought belonged to their families hung between them.