An Irish Affair (Heart of Hope 2)

“She kept her son from you.”

“She did. So, did you. The difference is that she feels bad about it.”

“Mr. Roarke,” Nikita poked her head through the door. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we have a few items to review.”

“I’ll be right there.” I turned my attention back to my mother. “Dad accepts Andrew. Andrew wants to love you so much. It broke my heart to hear him say he doesn’t think you like him. Seriously, mother. You hurt and scare a four-year-old boy. If you’re so worried about the Roarke family reputation, you’d better hope he doesn’t tell his friends how mean his grandmother Roarke is.”

“You’re cruel, Devin.”

“So are you, Mother. I’ll work on it if you do.”

She pursed her lips. “I’m going home.”

“Good idea. Do you want me to call your driver?”

“No.” With her chin up, she exited the room. I took a deep breath and followed her out. I headed to the bar with Nikita on my heels.

I poured my own drink and scanned the area. “Where’s Serena?”

“She went back to the office,” Nikita said.

“How was she?” I looked at my glass as I swirled my drink. I felt like my insides were warring.

“She was like how most people are after being cornered by your mother, although I don’t know why she’d target Serena.”

I downed my drink. “Do you believe in forgiveness, Nik?”

“In general, yes.”

“Some things don’t warrant forgiveness?” I asked.

“Well, murder seems unforgivable, although I suppose under some circumstances it’s justifiable.”

“How about not telling a man he has a son?”

She frowned. “Well, that’s not good, but if he was abusive—”

“He’s not.”

“I imagine there are circumstances where that could be forgiven. It would depend on why the information was kept hidden. If she did it out of spite or selfishness, that would be bad.”

“What if she was offered money?”

Nikita shrugged. “If she took it, that would be bad.”

“What if she didn’t?”

Nikita frowned. “If she didn’t take the money, why not tell the father?”

“Because the father’s mother is Katherine Roarke.” I poured another drink.

She had an ah-ha expression. “Well then, that makes sense.” Then she frowned. “Wait, are you saying you have a child?” Her brows knitted together and she looked like she was replaying our conversation again. “Is Serena’s son also your son?”

I nodded. I hadn’t told anyone but my family, and of all the people to open up to, Nikita wasn’t the obvious choice. But then again, she knew Serena.

“Wow. Okay…well… I think the world of Serena. If she didn’t tell you, I think she’d have a reason. She’d probably feel like shit though. Especially denying Andrew a dad. She’d do anything for that kid.”

“Do you think my mother would do anything for me?”