The Black Sheep's Secret Child

She’d lied to him, and he couldn’t get past that. Even so, her expectant expression tore at him. She was waiting for him to say something heartfelt and romantic. Maybe that he wanted them to stay. That he couldn’t live without her or their son.

But so much was wrong between them and anger was a familiar, uncomplicated emotion. He held on to it even as concern over losing her and Dylan gnawed at him.

“Nevertheless, it’s time we start the next chapter of our life.” Savannah glanced at her son as he yawned. “Looks like someone’s ready for his nap. I’d better go put him down.”

Savannah had barely stepped out onto the terrace when Melody rounded on Trent.

“You’re not really going to let her move to LA, are you?”

“She has a part in a movie that’s filming there. I don’t know why you think I’d stop her.”

“I’m probably the last person to be giving romantic advice, but you two belong together. I’ve known it since those days in New York. I know it upset you when she married Rafe.” Melody held up her hand to forestall the denial that leaped to his lips. “Don’t even try to deny it. I saw you at the wedding.”

“Sometimes it doesn’t work between people.”

“Sometimes people are unwilling to work at it.”

“Are we talking about Savannah and me? Or you and Kyle?”

“All four of us, I think.”

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“This isn’t about me. This is about you. You are about to let go of the only woman you’ve ever loved. And why?”

“She lied to me. She’s been lying to all of us. Dylan is my son.”

“Yikes.” Melody grimaced but didn’t look surprised. “She finally told you.”

“You knew?”

“Since the day before she married Rafe. She was having serious doubts about going through with the wedding. I told her to follow her heart. I thought that meant she would tell you about the baby.”

“But she didn’t.” Trent remembered how he’d expected her to call off the wedding right up until the moment she actually said, “I do.” He’d left right after the ceremony and never congratulated her or his brother. “Obviously she found what she needed in Rafe.”

“In some ways, I think she did. You should’ve seen her that morning. She was a wreck. Pacing. Hyperventilating. I thought for sure she was going to call it off. And then Rafe came in.” Melody’s eyes took on a faraway look. “He sat her down and knelt before her. He took her hand in his and very calmly convinced her that he would make sure everything was going to be all right.” Melody blinked back tears. “None of us knew that he wouldn’t be around to fulfill that promise.”

A complicated mix of emotions churned in Trent’s gut. He’d loved his brother and resented him in equal measure. He’d learned that Rafe had betrayed him, but he also had to acknowledge that by marrying Savannah, Rafe had tried to take care of her the way Trent had refused to.

He didn’t want to think about Rafe being a good guy. It was easier to dwell on all the things he’d done wrong. And yet without Rafe, there would be no Dylan and Trent might never have had a second chance with Savannah.

A second chance that had ended as badly as the first one.

“I wonder,” Melody continued, “after all this time, Savannah changed her mind about telling you the truth.”

“Siggy was suing her for the shares in the company Rafe left Dylan. He was claiming Dylan wasn’t Rafe’s son. I think she expected the truth to come out. So she let me know.”

“Are you sure that’s why? Maybe she hoped once you knew Dylan was your son that you might ask her to stay. She still loves you. I just know it.”

“That’s not the way it seems to me.”

Savannah had given up her dream of a blissful, traditional family with him. She’d decided being Dylan’s mom was enough. And for some strange reason that angered Trent more than all the rest put together.

“Is this really what you want?” Melody demanded, irritation snapping in her voice.

For the last twelve hours, Trent had been too preoccupied by how he’d been wronged by the people who should have his back to give much thought to what he wanted.

“What do you mean?”