Braden waited for his anger to surface, but instead he felt relief. “What changed?”
“I’ve met a woman. I’m in love, I mean really in love, for the first time in my life. She’s a single mom, raising two small kids on her own. They live in a one-bedroom apartment and they have nothing valuable. Except each other. I’ve never met happier people in all my life until Patricia and her daughters. She won’t even let me move them into a bigger place. When I saw what I’d missed, how much her two little girls need a parent in their lives, I knew I needed to make amends to you. But it wasn’t until Rosalind came home and told me what her mother had done to her that I realized how alone I’d left the two of you.”
Braden stared at his father. This Patricia had taught him humility and it shone in his clear green eyes. “Rose told you about Mom and—”
“And the affair?” he asked.
Braden nodded.
“Yes, she did. From now on, Rose will have a parent in her life. Me. I hope it’s not too late for the both of you to forgive me. I’d like to work on becoming a family again.”
Braden inhaled. He’d thought the days of hearing those words from his parents would never come. As a child, he dreamed that his parents would suddenly remember they had two children. But now, he didn’t know if he could tear down the wall and let his father in. “I’m glad you’ll be there for Rose. She needs you.”
“And just maybe, you need me, too? Tell me, Braden, anyone special in your life?”
Lola’s devilish smile came to mind. “I thought there was a possibility, but it turns out she’s a lot like Mom.”
His father’s eyebrows arched. “You’re saying this woman would sleep with her daughter’s boyfriend? Leave strangers to raise her kids?”
“No, Lola would never do that.”
His dad smiled and crossed his legs. “What happened?”
“I overheard her talking with my competitor. Seems they were working together to bring Acropolis down.” He should have been angry at her, but instead, he felt a gaping hole where his heart should be, like she’d ripped it out of his chest when she’d walked out the door.
“What did she say when you confronted her about it?”
What had she said? He tried to recall the excuses she’d told him.
“You did let her explain, didn’t you?” he asked, interrupting Braden’s rumination.
Shit, he hadn’t. He’d accused her of being like his mother and told her to pack her things without getting her side of the story.
His father got up from his chair and moved to sit on the couch next to Braden. “You know, you might have my good looks, but other than that, you’re nothing like me.”
Braden didn’t speak, his throat frozen from the fear he’d ruined his one shot at happiness.
His father reclined on the sofa and threw his arm over the edge. “Until Patricia, I was never in love. I didn’t even know I was capable of it.”
Pretty funny coming from a guy who’d married and divorced four times. Braden coughed and cleared his throat. “Why’d you keep getting married then?”
His dad shrugged. “Didn’t want to be alone. I thought my money would be enough to keep the women around, but then I’d realize, or they would, that other than our shared interest in material things, we had nothing in common. Eventually, one of us would get bored and decide it was time to move on. But you and your sister don’t rely on money for your self-worth. You’ve both made something of yourselves. You impress the hell out of me, Braden. I’m very proud of you.”
He’d waited a lifetime for those words. Braden suddenly realized it was never too late to make amends or to accept the amends. Would Lola accept his apology or had he damaged their relationship beyond repair?
Braden offered to shake his father’s hand. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
He looked down at Braden’s hand, clasped it, and then drew him in for a hug, slapping him on the back. His father really had changed.
“So, are you marrying Patricia?”
His father grinned. “I’ve asked her a half-dozen times and she keeps turning me down flat.”
“Sounds like she’s got your number.”
“Yeah, she’s making me work for her. It’s worth it though.”
His father seemed so sure, so content. Braden was envious. “I’m glad you found someone to make you happy.”
“What are you going to do about Lola?”