Lucas POV
“Hello, Erin.”
Erin’s eyes zeroed in on the food bags, and they automatically sparkled like fairy lights.
She jumped up and down in excitement.
“Slow down!” I said, horrified.
Suddenly, I panicked at the thought that the sudden movement would put a strain on her body. She was still recovering from her surgery.
But Erin did not seem to mind.
“Did you buy pancakes from Delia’s? It’s my favorite.” The delight in her voice was unmistakable.
&n
Katherine POVI saw the disappointment in Lucas’ eyes when I came back dressed in jeans and a shirt. Until now, I was not confident with my appearance as a woman.Even Greg did not make me feel desired during those years we were married, especially in the months he was cheating on me.“Coffee?” Lucas offered the mug on the side.“I already made myself at home and asked Sara if I could borrow your coffee maker.” He explained with his palm on the back of his head after I received the mug.I nodded and thanked him before taking a sip.Erin stood on
Lucas POVI asked Erin to play with her dolls for a while when I received a notification from my phone.It was an email from Duke.There was a link and a message that said, I think this would make you happy. Enjoy watching.I clicked the link. At first, the lights blinded me. It was only later that I realized that it was an indoor shoot.In the video clip, Agatha came in while everyone was busy shooting.No one attended to her unlike before when she used to have a grand entrance and everyone goes “gaga” over her. The production crew, even the director, would fawn
Katherine POVMy eyes widened in horror when I heard Erin’s voice.I jumped out of my chair and ran out of the kitchen to find Veronica inside the apartment. She was talking to Erin, but the glint in her eyes was unmistakable when she met mine.I strode briskly to her side to grab her elbow so she could follow me to the kitchen, but Veronica resisted.She turned her gaze to our boss, who did not seem unfazed that one of my co-workers found him in my home.“Good morning, Mr. Sanders. I did not know that you and Katherine were friends.” She said in a tone that was full of meaning.I bit my lip and groaned in my head.“Mr. Sanders dropped by to visit Erin.”It was the truth anyway. He did not inform me he was coming over.At the same time, I shot Veronica a warning glare. She bit her lips, but I could feel her laughing at my embarrassment.After exchan
Lucas POVAwkward. That is how I felt every time I would meet Veronica’s gaze from across the cramped living room of Katherine's apartment. After Erin disappeared with Katherine in one of the rooms to presumably change into outdoor clothing, leaving me with Veronica Miller.When it was just Erin and me, the space did not bother me so much, but with Veronica, the silence felt uncomfortable. When Erin and Katherine emerged from the room, I heaved a huge sigh of relief and stood from the couch. Veronica, who sat from across me, stood, too. “Uncle Lucas, I am ready,” Erin reported. She changed into denim pants, a blouse, and sneakers. Strapped on her shoulder toward the middle of her chest was a crossbody bag with a pink pig design. And unlike earlier, her hair is now gathered into a ponytail. I smiled when she latched her small hand to mine and felt a tingle in my heart. Then, I looked at her mother.“She is allergic to peanuts.” Katherine reminded me and handed me a backpack w
Lucas POVThen, I began to panic when she started panting in my arms.“What is wrong?”I pulled from our embrace to check and was shocked to see her paper-white face.“Erin!” Immediately, I carried her in my arms and ran toward the exit.“Emergency!” I cried to the people we met, and they would immediately veer off course to give us space.People were staring, probably out of curiosity. Some cleared the way for us to pass through unimpeded.“Medic!” Someone called, but I was already running out of the mall.I was breathing heavily, my heart in my throat, when we reached the mall's entrance and saw one of my assistants waiting.“Get the car!” I shouted, and he radioed for the car.It came a few seconds later. With Erin still in my arms, I climbed in, putting her in my lap. My heart was in my throat whil
Katherine POV“Why didn’t you join them to complete Erin's family?” Veronica teased, but her words struck a chord in me. It was something I had been longing for my daughter. “Don’t get ideas into my head. I don’t want to disappoint my girl again.” I told her, shaking my head. Veronica shrugged. “Have you seen their bond? I wondered if there was something you are not telling me.” Veronica arched her brows, making my heart beat fast. “W-what?” I stammered.I cleared my throat, and Veronica looked pointedly at me. “I don’t know. Did you and the boss have a history together that you were not telling me about? I am sorry, but I can't shake this feeling that he was more like Erin's father than Greg was." Now, my heart’s beat quickened faster at the mere suggestion. No matter how far-fetched the idea was, it managed to shake me to the core.But that would be ridiculous!“You are insane. What past are you talking about? I had only known the boss during those months when he and Greg we
Katherine POVTears formed in my eyes as I stared into Lucas Sanders’s stormy ones. How did he guess that Erin was not Greg’s?Did Greg tell him?I wiped my cheeks with the palms of my hand when I noticed the tears as I tried to regulate my breathing. Also, I needed a break from the piercingly cold of Lucas Sanders’ gaze. My heart started to beat fast, and my breathing slowed. I was panting as I tried to assimilate what Lucas meant. Even the anger emanating from him did not make any sense. “What is wrong with you?” I lashed out, unable to control the cold dread seeping from every pore of my body. Lucas Sanders ignored my question. He was breathing hard like he was trying to control himself.I, too, am biding for time to collect myself when Lucas Sanders speaks again. This time with a quiet determination. “Who is Erin’s father? Is she Greg’s?” He enunciated each word as if he were talking to a dimw*t. I shook my head in frustration. How the h*ll should I know? All I knew w
Katherine POVI gasped as confusion filled me. I really don’t know what is happening. All I know is that the proof is right before my eyes. I had been suspecting it but considered it was too far-fetched. Now that the truth was right in front of me, there is no way I can deny it. Tears blurred my vision as I stared at the man I only knew as my boss. “How? Why?”I asked as I tried to digest what was written in the paternity test. His name stood out, and Erin’s. The number says they were a match. Ninety-nine point nine percent. The tears that welled in my eyes trickled down my cheeks, painting a line down to my chin. “You are Erin’s father?” I almost choked the words out. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that this would happen? It was too incredible. I had my hunch. His extraordinary closeness with my daughter and Erin’s affection toward him. Those clues I tried to brush off because there is no conclusive evidence to fund it. I was going for a gut feeling, a
Katherine POVI love the hope that I gleaned from his words, but the part of me who was reeling from the changes that had happened in my life since I knew him had so many misgivings. I don’t know what or who to trust anymore. All I know is that I have to be wary because this can all disappear in the blink of an eye. “B-but…” My voice trailed off when he took my hand.I felt tingles when he kissed the knuckles, all the way to my heart. “Think about Erin. Don’t you want to give her the family she deserves? Our daughter needs a family. She needs us.” He was winning the argument there. Of course, I wanted to give Erin a family. That is why I stayed with Greg even though I felt Erin and I were becoming more of an encumbrance to him, especially when Erin got sick. I shut my eyes, thinking deeply. This is not just about me. This is about my daughter. “W-what if we fail? What if love didn’t happen in the end? I don’t want Erin to suffer. She already bore the trauma from my failed marr
Lucas POV“Greg married me because he felt guilty. He was Noreen’s passenger when their car collided with my family’s car. My parents were dead on the spot. I was lucky to be alive, but I stayed in a coma for two months.”“I did not run away with Greg.”I clenched my fists as remorse filled me.I closed my eyes because the pain in Katherine’s eyes was overwhelming. It told me how I had ruined our lives.The glaring fact remains the same. I did not trust her enough.When I woke up this morning, I was pumped up about courting Katherine and showing her that it was worth investing in me.But our conversation turned out to be a failure.“You could have done something to find us, but you didn’t. If only you had more faith in me, maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess. Maybe Erin wouldn’t have to endure growing up in a broken home. “
Katherine POVLucas Sanders’ face turned beet red. I saw Sara’s eyes widen, reflecting my own shock at this latest development in our lives. “Daddy?” I asked. Lucas grabbed my hand again to leave the apartment. He marched back to my apartment with me in tow. When we reached the living room, he dropped my hand, and I felt bereft of his presence. Then, he turned to me. “She knows you are her father.” I felt a little let-down. I thought I would be there when he told her. I wanted to see how my daughter would react. I was sure she would be delighted to know that the man she liked so much was her real father. But I was deprived of the opportunity to witness such a beautiful moment. I felt cheated. “She didn’t.” Now, that made everything murky. “She called you Daddy. You told her you are her father.” The proof was in the pudding. Was there any other way to explain it? Lucas tutted when he saw the doubt written all over my face. “You really painted an ugly picture of me in
Katherine POVI woke up feeling refreshed. It was the first time I felt like this in years. I yawned and stretched my arms over my head. It was peaceful. I closed my eyes once more to savor the serenity of my surroundings. It dawned on me that it shouldn’t have been this peaceful with Erin around. I bolted from the bed, eyes scanning my room. The light from the sun passing through the glass window told me it was morning and it was late!“Erin! Sara!” I cried, hurriedly opening my door to go out. In the living room, my chest expanded when I took a whiff of something divine! Bacon. Eggs. Muffin.My mouth watered, and my stomach began to grumble.My feet carried me to the kitchen, where I found Lucas Sanders in front of my stove. It was where the rich, flavorful aroma was coming from. And he was naked from the waist up. The realization that he was in my kitchen, flexing his back muscles did something to me. Awareness spreads through every pore of my body, and with it comes shy
Lucas POV“Aren’t you going to leave?” I was startled when Katherine asked me that question. My eyes instantly riveted to her. I watched when she tried futilely to fight back a yawn and lost the battle when she ended up covering her mouth with her hand. I could tell how she was trying hard to keep her eyes open, but the urge to sleep was strong. The only thing that was preventing her from totally submitting to sweet oblivion was my presence in her home.“I will carry Erin to her bed.” She offered. She stood from the couch to take our daughter from me, but Erin’s hands tightened on my neck. She did not want to let go. Katherine sighed. “You can go to bed,” I told her. “I will take care of Erin.” Despite the assurance, she did not leave the sofa. I watched her valiantly fight sleep, and our talk back at the hospital came to my mind. I understand her misgivings. She lost her memory. She did not know me. But we have a daughter that I would fight tooth and nail to share custody
Lucas POVI saw her blush, but it made me want to lean in a little closer to do what I had wanted to do since day one. But I was deprived of fulfilling my secret wish when the door opened, and Oliver walked in. My mood soured, especially when my gaze met Oliver’s knowing grin. “Perfect timing, bro.” I greeted, pulling my face away from Katherine, who looked awkward at the interruption. Forcing a smile on my face, I went to meet my best friend halfway.“Uncle Olly!” Erin looked up from the dolls she was playing with.Oliver walked toward Erin and ruffled her hair. “Hello, Erin. How are you?” Erin beamed at him. “I am fine. Mommy’s not, though. Do you think Uncle Matt will make her stay here for a long time?” She asked innocently. Maybe she was thinking about her confinement, which lasted for months. “Of course not. Actually, I came here to tell you that your Mommy will be discharged now.” Then, he looked in my direction. “I already processed the bill per your instructions.
Katherine POV“Mommy, wake up!” Erin’s childish voice was the first thing I noticed when I gained consciousness. I did not know how long I was out, but it felt nice to hear my little girl’s voice, even if it was just in my dreams. Oh, how I wish to hug and cuddle with Erin. With my eyes closed, I lifted my arms, hoping to close it around her small body. “Ahhh!” Erin exclaimed in surprise. Shocked, I opened my eyes instantly to my daughter’s warm presence. Happiness filled me when I burrowed my face into her downy head to inhale her sweet baby scent. Instantly, I felt relieved. Whatever was bothering me these past few days seemed insignificant with Erin around.Erin pulled away. The tips of her fingers wandered around my face. I closed my eyes to savor the gentle touch.Erin thought I was falling asleep again, so she forced my eyes open. “Mommy! Wake up!” I indulged her. Nothing in this world can make me say no to my little girl. When she saw me open my eyes, Erin grinned
Katherine POVMs. Fielding?" I nervously looked up to see Dan Burns walking toward me. I sat up from the lounge chair outside Lucas Sanders’ office and offered my hand for a handshake, but I withdrew it when I noticed the tiny tremors shaking it. Pretending nonchalance, I looked pointedly at my wristwatch. It was lunchtime, but the mighty Lucas Sanders ordered me to meet him here. He called me personally, but he routed the order through Lorrie, leaving me no other choice. I could not say no because it would give rise to speculation on Lorrie’s part. And that was something I wanted to avoid as much as possible.I already figured in two office scandals. I do not want to add more to the list. So, despite my aversion to seeing him after our last phone call, I reluctantly agreed, and now here I am. A nervous wreck. Dan pivoted on his heels in the direction of Lucas Sanders’ office. "They are in the conference room." He informed me.I automatically shifted and stepped forward to fo
Katherine POV“That pompous, arrogant a*s!” I ranted at Veronica when she called me that evening. “What was wrong?” Veronica sounded confused. I get it. She did not expect me to burst into anger about our boss, not when we parted on good terms this morning. I took deep breaths. I wanted to calm myself, but every time I think about Lucas Sanders, blood rushes to my head in anger. “I thought you were getting along well. Lucas Sanders likes Erin, and Erin likes him a lot.” I bit my tongue as another expletive loomed out of my lips if I had not been distracted by a grunt coming from Erin.Automatically, my eyes shifted to the bed to check on my daughter. She was sleeping soundly, which made me heave a sigh.“Sorry, Erin made a sound. I thought I woke her up.”“Okay, what happened to make you this mad?” Veronica pressed. I fussed a little over my little girl while I reported what happened to my girl. “The outing wore Erin out. The boss panicked, and he sent her to St. Martin’s