“I hate being played for a fool,” Damon went on. “I hate that you were that clever and I was so blinded that I didn’t see through the disguise and the act.”
“Damon—”
“Hear me out.”
Lily took in a deep breath sliding her arms around her swollen midsection.
“We were adversaries for so long and I know finding out I was your father was a blow you didn’t see coming. Your actions were made out of fear first and foremost. But I also know you’re driven to succeed. How can I fault a trait you obviously got from me?”
“I still went about this the wrong way,” Jake said, his tone low. “Once I started caring for you, the girls and Lily, I should’ve said something immediately.”
“Yes, you should’ve,” Damon agreed. “But you didn’t and what’s done is done. I believe everyone should have a second chance and I believe that being without my son for over thirty years is long enough. Life is short.”
More silence fell and Lily was dying to know what was happening in that room. She’d listened in long enough. As quietly as she could, Lily came to her feet and headed back up the steps. Once she’d closed herself in her room, she sank back against the door.
Damon had fully accepted Jake for who he was, obviously forgiving the lies and mistakes. Even though he didn’t come out and say the words, Damon wouldn’t be there if he hadn’t.
Lily didn’t know if she could be that forgiving. Yes, she figured eventually she’d forgive him. But forgiving him didn’t necessarily mean she could let him back into her life, her heart again.
Lily had only been at Jake’s estate a short time, and she struggled with her emotions for him every single moment. One second she wanted to talk to him, try to figure out if they could get beyond this hurt. The next second she wanted to leave, wanted to get away because she worried she couldn’t trust her feelings.
She wished she had the right answer and prayed for a miracle to guide her to where she needed to be.
* * *
Naps while pregnant were beyond amazing. Napping was a luxury she couldn’t afford when home in LA or on location filming, but here in Virginia where the pace was slower and she was ordered by her doctor to take it easy, Lily fully embraced a good afternoon rest.
Besides all of that, she was tired. Tired from the pregnancy, tired from the roller coaster ride they’d been on and utterly exhausted from worrying about the future of this child. After spending time on Jake’s turf, she was mentally drained and ready to pull her hair out.
Sexually, the man frustrated her. She wanted him, no matter how much her heart still hurt. He’d given her space, he’d not touched her since that slight kiss when she’d first agreed to stay, and damn if that wasn’t driving her out of her ever-loving mind.
He’d never even mentioned Damon coming by the other day. Was he keeping that to himself, as well?
As Lily came down the steps, she realized she’d slept much longer than she’d meant to. The antique grandfather clock in the corner of the living room chimed four times, echoing into the empty space.
Lily glanced around, noting the photos along the mantel of Jake with his arm around a beautiful older woman, more than likely his mother, photos of him with jockeys and horses at various winners’ circles. In every photo he was smiling.