“Wait, there’s got to be a way to talk this out.”
“Here’s what’s going to happen. Because of what your daughter means to me and the future I want to build with her, I’m going to make this right.” I look at her and then slide my arm around her waist to pull her to my side. “I took care of your debts last night. They’ve been wiped clean.”
“What?” Parker whispers from beside me.
“Your house is being packed up as we speak and is being sold. All the funds are going into a trust that will give you a monthly allowance. You and Parker’s mother will be moved into one of my homes in the city. From there, you’ll volunteer with the community food bank and attend meetings for your addiction, along with therapy.”
“No,” he says flatly, flexing his jaw.
“Okay.” I call his bluff as I stand there smiling. “Then go, and don’t ever come looking for a dime from me.”
“You can’t make us move. Parker is still in school, I have commitments.”
“Parker is no longer your concern. She will be well cared for and looked after for the rest of her life. And if she chooses to have a relationship with you, I won’t stand in her way. But I will show her every single day what it means to care for someone. I’ll be a reminder that what she had before me was worthless.”
“How dare you—”
“I dare,” I cut in, feeling heat and anger rise up my neck. “She is the best thing in this world and you treated her like cattle. She might not know what she deserves because you gave her scraps her whole life, but I will make sure she feasts from now on.” I feel Parker’s hand on my chest and it calms me. “You have a chance at this moment to fix what you’ve broken. To choose your daughter and to choose to be a man worth holding the title of father. It’s up to you.”
There’s a long moment where Louis looks at me and then quickly glances at Parker before turning away and walking out of my office without another word. I want to tell him he’s making a mistake and that he’ll regret it for the rest of his life, but I can’t make that choice for him.
“I can’t believe he left.” She sniffs, and I pull her against me and kiss the top of her head.
“Don’t give up hope yet, sweet girl.” I have no idea what will happen with Louis and her mom, but I know that I’ll be here to protect her.
“Thank you, Sammy.” She leans her head back to look up at me, and it’s then I notice she’s smiling. “I love you.”
Hearing her say the words is like a shot of something warm and pure to my heart.
“I should have said it sooner, but I didn’t know how.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “I love you, and that’s all we need.”