“Alright.”
After Felipa left the study, Blanche moved the mouse and clicked to accept the call Instead of Fernando, his son Terrell’s face appeared on the screen.
“Pretty lady, I’ve missed you so much!” Terrell chirped. “When can you come over to my house and play?”
His sweet, innocent voice was like music, and Blanche’s heart, which had felt so empty, suddenly bloomed with warmth as she looked at his earnest little face.
“Auntie’s been a bit busy lately,” she said gently. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to visit for a while.”
“Oh…” Terrell’s lips drooped in disappointment, but then his eyes lit up with an idea. “Pretty lady, let me show you my dad’s room!”
He picked up the webcam and started down the long hallway. In the background, Blanche could hear the muffled voices of adults chatting in the living room. Terrell pushed open the master bedroom door.
Blanche’s breath caught in her throat–the walls were covered with portraits of her from different times in her life. There was even a wedding photograph.
She was stunned, her heart swelling with something she couldn’t name.
Six years apart, and still… so many images of her.
Some of the sketches were worn at the edges, clearly drawn years ago.
“Auntie, see? Dad really loves you,” Terrell said, taking down her wedding photo and muttering, “This is his favorite. He even sleeps with it.”
Blanche could only stare in shock.
Suddenly, the door burst open and Fernando’s clear, calm voice rang out. “Terrell, weren’t you supposed to be in the study chatting with Miss Laney? Are you finished?”
“Did Auntie ask about me?” he added. “Did Felipa bring the laptop to her? Was she happy?”
Terrell froze, realizing his father hadn’t noticed the camera in his hands.
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Pretty lady never believes Dad loves her, Terrell thought. I’ll help her find out.
“Terrell, don’t mess with Auntie’s pictures.” Fernando stepped closer, his tall figure coming into view until the camera focused on his handsome, slightly annoyed face. His dark lashes were so close now, Blanche could see every detail.
“Dad, do you love Auntie?” Terrell asked bluntly.
Fernando paused, caught off guard. “You little rascal, what do you know about love?”
“I know!” Terrell insisted. “I love Tia. I think about her every day at preschool and want to share all my snacks with her. I wish I could sleep in the same room as Tia–she’s the cutest kid in class.” He grinned, then looked at his father. “Dad, don’t you want to play with Auntie, eat with her, and sleep next to her?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course not,” Fernando said, but his cheeks flushed pink.
Terrell crawled into his father’s arms, making Fernando’s handsome face fill the camera–so close Blanche felt she could almost sense his racing heart and burning breath.
A flush crept along his chiseled jaw.
“So Dad doesn’t love the pretty lady? Is it someone else?” Terrell’s voice fell, suddenly uncertain. “Did I get it wrong?”
“Then you should explain it to Auntie,” Terrell concluded, the camera shaking in his little hands.
Abruptly, Fernando scooped Terrell up. The camera tumbled into darkness, pressed against his chest, and Blanche could hear the thudding of his heart echoing through her.
“Dad, the person you love is the pretty lady,” Terrell whispered. “But…it’s a secret.”
“You can’t tell anyone.”
“What?” Terrell yelped suddenly. “But the pretty lady already knows!”
He swiveled the camera back to Fernando, anxiety etched on his small face. “Dad, she heard you! She saw! What do we do now?”
“Our secret’s out.”
Fernando’s face went crimson as he put Terrell down, frozen in front of the camera, at a complete loss for words.
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“Pretty lady, Dad says you can’t tell anyone our secret. Terrell’s round face appeared on screen, full of childlike worry.
Blanche’s hand clenched around her mouse. Her breath stalled–then came rushing back, her heart pounding so hard she could feel it in every vein. For a moment, she was completely lost.
“Terrell, Auntie has to go now.” She quickly ended the call, gaze drifting in
confusion.
As she looked up, her eyes met Eddy’s–cold, sharp, and unreadable, standing by the door. A chill ran down her spine, as if some hidden secret inside her had been laid
bare.
How long had he been standing there?
Did he hear Fernando’s confession?
Eddy strode toward her, his steps urgent, dark eyes blazing with a fury she’d never seen before.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if afraid she’d vanish if he let go. He cupped her pale face, his breath hot against her skin, and pressed a trembling kiss to her lips.
“You’re mine, darling,” he whispered.
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