Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Because Sylvie is my exact replica, I wasn’t surprised to find out I’m her biological father. I’ll never admit it to anyone, but a slight fissure of disappointment ran through me upon learning the truth because I know that life is going to become infinitely more complicated. It’s not just the fact I have a surprise daughter out of the blue after nine years of secrecy, but she’s half Mardraggon and that is going to cause problems.
Moments later, the doorbell rings and my mother is there to welcome Sylvie’s attorney into the Blackburn home. She leads him into the formal room where introductions are made to the rest of the family and then she plies him with a cup of coffee.
Sitting on the edge of a dainty love seat, the attorney hands me a three-ring binder. “Everything you need to know about Sylvie, including all of her school and medical records. Please note she has a severe allergy to penicillin but otherwise is in perfect health. Alaine had boxes of stuff she’d saved over the years… things Sylvie has made in school or at home, photographs, et cetera. She wanted you to have them all for safekeeping and those are all in storage, but this binder has the most important stuff.”
History.
That’s what Todd Gillam is offering me. A story about my daughter’s life… years of memories, interesting tidbits and important facts that if I knew right now, I might have a tenuous thread with her. As it stands, I have nothing to offer other than a solid roof over her head and a determination to give her a good life.
Sylvie is due to arrive any moment, the Mardraggons insisting on dropping her off here. After the paternity results were registered with the court yesterday, Judge Laudermilk ordered that custody immediately be transferred to me from Lionel and Rosemund Mardraggon.
It’s all happening so fast and I’m not ready. Not just in a physical sense—setting up a room for her and registering her for school—but trying to figure out how being a single dad will work with my already hectic schedule. I need time to prepare emotionally. Having children has never been something I’ve considered. I’m not built for long-term relationships, which I’d have wanted if I were ever to have a child.
I accept the binder from Todd. “I met with Sylvie yesterday,” he says, his tone full of dire warning. “She’s not happy to be coming here.”
“I expected as much,” I reply cautiously.
“My suspicion is that her grandparents have been filling her head with things. Trying to poison her against you.”
“Typical,” Trey grumbles. He’s sitting in the other chair by the window next to Kat. My parents have settled on the couch and Wade paces back and forth near the bookcase. My entire family has been doing nothing the past few days but trying to figure out all the ways the Mardraggons are going to make life hell on us. One thing I know for sure—the Mardraggons will not care if Sylvie is an innocent bystander in this war.
I, however, refuse to let her be a pawn. That is of paramount importance, not because I know anything about being a dad, but I know a thing or two about doing what is right.
“As it stands,” Todd continues, “you’re under no obligation to let Sylvie see the Mardraggons. I expect they’ll petition for that right soon enough but until such time occurs, I would keep her solidly under your guidance and protection and remove any outside influence. It’s what Alaine wanted.”
“That’s what I don’t understand,” Kat says, shifting in her chair and crossing one leg over the other. She has lessons lined up starting in about half an hour, so she’s dressed to hit the barn, just as Trey and Wade are. I’m taking the day off, though, because I need to get to know Sylvie. “Why did Alaine want Sylvie with Ethan and not her family? By all accounts, she was close with her parents and her brother, Gabe.”
“I’m not at liberty to disclose the conversations I’ve had with either Alaine or Sylvie.” Todd looks around the room at everyone in turn. “I’ll only say that while Alaine was a Mardraggon through and through, she ultimately wanted a different environment for her daughter.”
Kat snorts. “One filled with love, which is a concept the Mardraggons know nothing about.”
“That’s not for me to say,” the attorney replies almost primly.
“You don’t have to say it,” Wade pipes in. “We know it, but we’ll make it right.”
Todd stands from the couch and pins his gaze on me. “Can we talk in private?”
It isn’t the request so much as the tightened tone beneath the words. I glance at my father who remains stoic as he normally does. Gaze going back to the attorney, I jerk my head toward the door and lead him into my office across the large parquet foyer, which is split by the grand staircase.