“Wow! That’s pretty far,” Flick announces.

“Yeah, I needed to feel safe and since I couldn’t go any further than there, I figured it would be good enough. I met the most amazing ladies at the shelter. They never knew my full story, but they saw the evidence on my face with the bruising from where I had hit my head that night.”

“And what about Katie?” Melodi’s eyes met mine as I turned toward her. I knew these questions were going to be asked, but I’m not sure I’m ready for them tonight. I haven’t even had the chance to tell Blake that Katie is his child.

“I found out I was pregnant a couple of weeks after I got to the women’s shelter. They helped me with everything. They set me up with appointments and doctors since I didn’t know anyone.”

“Is Jacob her father?” she asks and holds my gaze.

My heart feels like a hand has wrapped itself around it and is squeezing tightly. “Umm…well, to be honest, I hadn’t been intimate with Jacob in a while so—”

“So she is mine?” Blake cuts me off, his tone is hard and cold.

I didn’t realise he was back in the room. I wanted to tell him privately. I never wanted to keep this from him. Right now I’m feeling like the worst, and the stupidest woman in the world.

How could I hurt the one person I love by not telling him that he has a daughter?

“I…I was going to tell you, I promise.” I jump up from my seat and race over to him. I take his hands in mine, but he pulls away and the rejection hurts. Tears spring to my eyes and I try once again to reach out for him, but he walks away and out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

Embarrassment courses through me. I can’t believe it came out when everyone was here. Don’t they have their own homes to go to? It seems like they are mind readers because in the next minute they all stand together and say their goodbyes to Melodi and Corban. As they walk past me, the guys don’t say anything. Why would they? I hardly know these people, but the girls stop and they both give me warm, gentle embraces. The kind that makes you feel like everything will be okay.

Flick pulls back from the hug and looks at me. “I know I don’t know you, or Blake very well, but I’m sure things will work out. I can see the love that’s between you both. I see it with Melodi and Corban and I’m sure he’ll come around, eventually.”

“Thank you,” I manage to choke out before the lump in my throat stops me from saying anymore.

Before I realise it, I’m on my own again with Melodi and Corban. I don’t really know what to say to either of them right now. My mind is on Blake and how he’s feeling. I want, no, I need to talk to him. As I work up the courage to go out after him, the front door opens and in walks Blake. His face is hard, and I can see the hurt etched in his eyes and the frown that covers his brow. Hurt that I’ve caused him. He traverses to me, stopping just inches from me.

“I’m sorry.” Two simple words with so much meaning. It feels like ages before he does anything, but then he reaches out and takes my hand, wrapping it in his own. I look down to our entwined fingers and back up to his beautiful green eyes. Eyes that make my heart melt.

“I’m sorry for storming out. It’s a lot to take in right now and knowing that I’ve missed out on years of her life crushes me.”

I sense him fighting back his emotions, but before I can reply Corban speaks up.

“Guys, we’ll go back to my place and give you two some privacy.”

Melodi hops up and goes into her room to pack a few items. I’m sure she’s feeling exhausted and probably sick as well. I remember my morning sickness, and it was hell and I would never wish it on anyone, but it’s a fact of life and I hope that she doesn’t have it like I did.

“Will it be safe for them to go?” I ask Blake urgently. I don’t want them to be placed in danger any more than what they have been already. It makes me sick to my stomach knowing it’s my fault that Melodi and her babies could be harmed. Hell, even Corban getting hurt would seriously crush me, and I’ve only known him less than twenty-four hours.

“Yeah, they should be fine since it’s really you and Katie he’s after. Plus, I’ll be here to keep you safe, and I’m sure Corban can keep Melodi safe.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders pulling me to him, and lightly placing a kiss on my head.

“All right you pair, I’m feeling tired and sick, so I need to get some sleep. It’s been a crazy twenty-four hours.” Melodi looks to me and Corban, and a small smile plays on her lips. “I’m glad you’re here, Abby. I just wish you’d told me somehow. I don’t think you realise the kind of damage your death did to our family and the court trials were super hard.”

I rush over to her, taking her in my arms. I’m so glad to have my sister back and I know nothing will ever fix those years I was gone and thought dead, but I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to them all.

“I’m sorry, Melodi. Truly I am. I totally understand if you hold it against me.”

“I don’t hold anything against you. I will admit I’m a little annoyed at you for not telling me about Jacob in the first place, and the miserable life he put you through. I always had my suspicions, but whenever I brought them up you just shut me out. I know Mum and Dad were blind to it because they thought the sun shined out of his butt.”

She gives me a small giggle. We’re still holding each other, and we embrace like it’s our last time all over again. We embrace for all the times we didn’t get to be there for each other. My eyes begin to well up at the thought of finally being home with my family.

“Don’t you dare start crying because you’ll set me off. Right now, I’m doing well at maintaining my hormone levels. This pregnancy stuff doesn’t seem real; I can’t believe I’m an aunt, and now I’m going to be a mum.”

“I know it’s crazy, but I’m here for you no matter what and there are no more secrets between us.”

“So Blake is Katie’s dad?” She smiles. “I can see the love you two have for each other, so Corban and I will give you both some space tonight. Tomorrow we’ll get you to safety, but also close by because I don’t want to have to say goodbye to you all over again. So please, I beg you, don’t leave again. We can sort this all out together.” She releases my arms.

We look around for the boys and notice they cleared the room to give us this moment together. I know we’ll have plenty of moments together from now on after we’ve dealt with this Jacob situation. Once that’s achieved, I can get on with my life and hopefully have the happily ever after I need.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Melodi

Walking into Corban’s apartment, I’m overwhelmed with so many different emotions. The ride home was silent and Corban knew I needed a moment to process everything that’s happened today, so he didn’t push for conversation. He just held my hand and let me know he was there for me. It’s those small gestures that mean the most. They may be little, but they speak a thousand words.

I walk straight to the bedroom and collapse, instantly sighing in relief to just have a moment to myself. So many things to think about. My sister who I thought was dead isn’t, and now I’ve got myself to worry about as well. But most importantly I need to worry about this crazy person who has it in for my family. Why couldn’t he leave us alone?

Corban walks into the room, stopping just in the doorway. I look up and meet his gaze. “Are you all right?”

I know he’s worried about me and the babies. There isn’t much that can be done for the babies except for me getting the rest that I need. I’m bound to become sicker over the next few weeks, or perhaps days. I don’t know how I’ll cope with it, but with Corban’s help I’m sure I’ll be fine. There’s also Rachel and Flick, who I’m sure are on high alert with everything they’ve heard today.

“Yeah, I’m okay, or as okay as someone can be when they find out that their sister, who they thought was dead for the last three years, has actually been in hiding and returns with a kid who belongs to the person who helped her hide.” I begin spewing these words out without even thinking. “How could she do this to me, as well as our parents? Was she even thinking of us when she put this silly plan in motion?” I release a loud sigh and cover my face with my hands.