“I told you last night, I’m here for you. Whatever happens outside, you’re mine, Rose.” He pulls me up and holds me close to his chest. “And you can choose who you want in our life. No one will force anything on you.”
“You’ll be next to me?” My eyelashes are sticky as fresh tears run down my cheeks.
“Always, couch girl.”
Hand in hand, Zander and I walk into the living room, where everyone is sitting with a coffee mug in their hands, except Kristy. The gloomy feeling again settles in my chest. The air in this room has never felt so melancholy.
How is this a reunion? This isn’t how we’re supposed to feel after a good news.
I’m about to sit down on the couch when Ash walks up to me. “Rose, I’m so sorry, my baby girl.”
His bloodshot eyes and grief-filled voice hit me with an onslaught of emotions, but it’s his words that kill me. For so long, I’ve waited for someone to say sorry.
As before, he opens his arms for me and I step forward, trying to soak up the warmth of his love. But this time, he doesn’t let go. Ash holds me close to him, and I can feel a shudder coursing through his huge frame. He radiates mixed emotions of happiness, grief, and surprise, which resonate with mine.
My father.
I never imagined or thought about a father.
But even if I did, Beast would never make an appearance in my wildest imagination. He’s an honorable man. He’d never let his family slip away. He’d move heaven and earth before something bad could touch his family.
“I’m so sorry, my baby.” His glossy eyes make the lump in my throat larger, and it’s hard to swallow.
I hate to see him take the blame for something he didn’t do. “I’m not angry at you. It wasn’t your fault,” I whisper as he slowly releases me from his tight hold.
Before I can walk away, Ash grabs my hands, pressing on them and forcing me to glance up at his face.
“I didn’t even know you existed, honey. It’s my fault through and through. I should have checked that day at the hospital. I shouldn’t have taken the doctor’s word for it.” His head jerks from side to side as his grip on my hands tightens.
“I don’t blame you.” I try to take away some of the guilt he’s harboring.
Sophia walks over to us. “Rose is right, Ash. It’s not your fault.”
I try to take a step back at her arrival, and Beast’s gaze falls to me. But he doesn’t let me go far, tightening his grip on my hands.
“I’m to blame for everything,” Sophia says in a throaty and brittle voice. “I was weak and scared. I didn’t care about anything except myself. Even when I found out Rose was ours, I got terrified of what would happen to her, to me, if they found us again.”
As much as I hate it, my heart squeezes at Sophia’s words. There’s no one in this room who’d understand her fears better than me.
“Later, I was petrified of the day when Kristy and Rose would eventually find out what I’d done. I was terrified of today.” Her chin trembles, and she wipes her cheeks, but more tears run down.
Beast places an arm around Sophia and pulls her close. I suddenly realize I’ve never seen Sophia with any man.
My heart mumbles, She was alone too.
Kristy stands beside me, and I glance at her tearstained, sad face before replying to her bittersweet smile with my own, until realization sets in.
This is my family.
Everybody’s gaze is locked on me. I can feel the hope floating around, and I have to look away.
“I can’t forget.” I somehow get the words out through the heavy block around my throat.
Immediately, Zander is behind me, and I lean into his familiar touch.
When Ash lets go of my hand, I turn around into Zander’s arms.
“I don’t know if I can forgive,” I mumble “At least not so soon.”