“Why didn’t you?” She rubbed her hands over his arms, loving the protection and security he offered her.
“Stupid pride and arrogance. Then when you didn’t answer my letter—”
Michelle tensed. “What letter?”
“The one where I poured my heart out and begged your forgiveness. I told you how much I loved you and wanted you back. I didn’t know if your feelings for me changed as time passed. So I wrote that if I didn’t hear from you, I would assume you couldn’t forgive me, that it was over between us.”
Michelle took a quick sharp breath. “I never got that letter, Erik.”
“You didn’t? I know I mailed it, and it wasn’t returned.”
“When did you send it?”
“After Christmas. The holidays were so lonely. Plus my parents were on my case about letting you go. I just wanted you back in my life. When I didn’t hear back, I just—”
“Jessica,” Michelle grounded out after a long silence had passed.
“Who’s Jessica?”
“Your rival. She lives next door to Yasmine and used to get my mail when I was still living there. She must have thrown it out when she saw the return address. She has a thing with rich people. Her wealthy father never acknowledged her. And she’s jealous of my love for Precious.”
Erik stroked his hands down her body, calming her. “Don’t be too harsh on her. She was competing for your love just as I was. It’s in the past now. We’re back together. That’s all that matters.” He paused for a long moment then said, “I heard about your father’s death. How are you handling that?”
Michelle took a deep unemotional breath. “That man wasn’t my father.”
“You’re right. A father takes care of his children. I don’t blame you for disowning him for treating you the way he did.”
Michelle struggled to turn around to face Erik. She smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek. “He wasn’t my father,” she said again. “Robert and I are not related to him.”
His forehead crinkled. “What do you mean?”
Michelle eagerly filled him in on the story about Timmy Gleason, and how he’d killed the real Dwight Carter, stolen his identity, and kidnapped her mother and Robert and brought them to New Hampshire.
“You mean to tell me that all this time your real father has been dead, and this man has been impersonating him?”
Michelle nodded.
“Why didn’t your mother say something? Turn him in?”
“Come on, Erik, think.”
“You’re right. He must have threatened Robert an—” His eyes narrowed. “You said Robert was born in Virginia, but you were born in New Hampshire. How can you be sure you’re not this terrible man’s child?”
“Mrs. Hayes told me that my mother was already pregnant with me when she moved to Manchester. But when I began this investigation, I wasn’t sure how long my mother had been his hostage, so when we found out that Timmy was an impostor, Robert went to see him in jail and came back with a couple strands of his hair.”
“You did a DNA test.”
“Yep. He’s not the father of either of us.”
Erik’s lips spread into a relaxed smile as his hands reached for her stomach. “Thank God. I love you, and I love this baby—my baby, growing inside you, but the thought of that man’s blood running through his veins was tearing me up inside.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about it, any more. I’m just happy he’s dead, relieved that he can’t hurt me or you and Precious ever again.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Why didn’t you call to tell me?”
“I was going to that night when Bridget answered the phone.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Robert and I kept it between us because we didn’t want to stir up the news surrounding Cassie’s death again. We just wanted to move on with our lives, and let you and Precious live yours. I’ve put it all behind me.”
His warm palm gently caressed her naked stomach. “But what about your real father? Don’t you want to know more about him, find out if you have family still living?”
“Robert is looking into that. It’s another story I suppose.” She sighed. “What about you, Erik? Have you put the tragedy of Cassie’s death behind you?”
He kissed her forehead. “I have. There’s nothing standing between us. No more doubts. No more anger. No more pain.”
“No more lies.”
“Just a bright and happy future with our daughter and our new baby.”