Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Chapter 42
Meet My Father
Chloe
“I was hoping to get to talk to you alone,” Clooney, Gregor’s father, says as he joins me out on the veranda.
I turn to look into his blue eyes. Clooney Sr. is a handsome man, however stern he may be. Although, he’s been kind to us all this evening. He seems to be fond of Sid and to my surprise he has a bond with Ally too.
I haven’t gotten to know him much. Gregor has been running interference whenever the man looks like he’s going to get too close. I turn to look at the house to see if Gregor will come running out this time.
“He’s putting Chloe down for a nap,” Clooney says as if reading my thoughts. He sighs. “So he’s already poisoned you against me.”
I look back at him. He looks truly concerned. “No, he hasn’t. Gregor has never been too forthcoming about his family. I know at one point you two were at odds.”
He nods. “I’ve interfered a time or two when it came to the two of you. I wasn’t sure of your intentions and in the beginning, I didn’t know what Clooney was thinking. You were so young. I had to make sure the truth came to light.”
My lips part and I narrow my eyes. “I’ve only ever loved your son. I didn’t even know who he was to want anything from him. I never cared about his money,” I seethe.
“I understand that now. You’re nothing like that Addison woman. If not for my anger with Clooney, I would have seen her coming and… I don’t regret my granddaughter. Only not being able to protect my son from the hurt caused by her conception.”
I’m getting the feeling that Gregor and his brothers may be underestimating this man standing before me. I look at him more closely.
“What do you know about me?” I say cautiously.
“I know you’re a bright young woman. You truly love my son. Your care for your sister is honorable. I know your sacrifices.
“I know I owe you an apology. My ambitions got in the way of your and my son’s happiness. I wish I’d gotten to you before the choice you made. I would have taken care of you both until Clooney came to his senses and returned. I know a lot, my dear.”
I nod as tears come to my eyes. I never thought about finding and going to Brodi’s family. He made his father sound like a monster, I would have been too afraid to come to him.
“Please, no tears, my dear. I’ve caused enough of those. I thought I was doing the right thing.
“It took me some time to learn life is too short not to spend it with those you love. Everything I do, I do to protect my sons. However, I’ve learned many times they need protection from me most.
“I’m happy to see you and Clooney have found each other again. I look forward to getting to know you more. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for my role in pulling my son away from you.”
“I… I don’t know what to say to that. I mean, you made sure he found out about my age. I can’t blame you for that, but he made the decision to leave the second time. That’s not on you.”
“Oh, yes, it is. I told him to end things. Clooney decided to start over because I found out about you. I was the catalyst to him taking off.”
“Can I be honest with you?”
“Please.”
“I think the Gregor I know now is the right one for me. I’ve loved your son for years, but I’ve fallen in love with the man he is today in a way I didn’t know I could.”
“And yet, I can see the tension between the two of you. I have eyes, Chloe. You don’t have to spare my feelings.
“I know the damage I’ve done. Rest assured, I plan to make up for all the things my actions have caused. Starting with paying for the wedding of your dreams. Anything you want, don’t hesitate to get it.
“You don’t have to do that. Eileen has already done so much.”
“Nonsense, I know there’s no monetary number for the pain I’ve caused, but… money is the one thing I have to share. The one thing I’ll leave behind when I’m gone.”
I look into his sad eyes, feeling like this conversation means something much deeper than the words spoken. I wipe at my tears and give him a tear-filled smile.
“Your son is teaching me to forgive. I’m not going to lie and say I’ve learned the lesson in its entirety, but I’m getting there. Thank you for coming to me. I appreciate your words.”
“Maybe now you can cut Gregor some slack. He’s a man of action and his actions were driven by me. Judge him not on his past, Chloe. Love him for the future he wants to share with you.”