Chapter 0063

Kent says nothing and I frown a little. This was Kent’s very theory – why isn’t he confirming it? The

room grows awkwardly quiet.

“Would you mind,” Alden says, breaking the silence and gesturing towards me. “If I had a private

moment with my daughter? I still haven’t had a moment alone with her. To reconnect.”

Kent studies me for a moment and then nods slowly. He says nothing as he heads out of the room.

I look at my father then, feeling strange and awkward. My hands go immediately to my hair, starting to

braid it.

“Fay,” he says, quite tenderly. “Are you all right? You weren’t hurt?”

“No,” I say to him, genuinely. “Really, I’m fine – Kent got us out unscathed. Are – are you okay? Tristin,

the kids?”

“We’re all fine,” he says, relieved, wiping his sweaty hands down the length of his suitcoat. “We got

lucky, with the baby needing attention in that moment. We were out of the room and able to get to the

car without much fuss.”

“Good,” I say, for lack of any better response.

Alden glances towards the door. “And you’re…happy here?” he asks. “Lippert is good to you?”

“Oh,” I say, following his gaze, surprised by the direction of the conversation. “Yeah, sure, everyone’s

really nice.”

“Because you know,” my father says softly. “If you wanted to come home, you are always welcome.”

Home. The word doesn’t sit easy with me, not really. Because his home hasn’t been my home in years.

“That’s okay,” I say, giving him a little smile. “I think I want to stay here, with Daniel. My fiancé.”

It’s not a lie, not really. Of course, I’d rather go home to my real family, but if that’s not an option then I’d

certainly rather stay here with Daniel, who at least is my friend, before going to live with Tristin.

“Ah, your fiancé,” Alden says, giving me a fatherly grin. “And how are things going with the two of you?”

“Really well,” I say, raising my eyebrows and lying with ease. It’s not too hard, I guess, when your fake

fiancé really is your best friend. I grow awkwardly silent again, though, not really knowing what else to

say.

“Do you love him?” He asks.

I blink. “Yes, of course I do.”

“And have you two…”

I blink again, wondering - and then I blush, realizing what he’s asking. I look down at the floor,

embarrassed. He just chuckles.

“My Fay,” he says, “such a good girl. I’m sorry – I’m pushing you too far. I just ask because you know,”

he says, leaning down to speak conspiratorially with me. “You’re still quite young – perhaps too young

to get married. If you ever wanted to explore your options, I could introduce you to quite a few eligible

young gentlemen.”

My mouth falls open a little in surprise. What? I thought I had been engaged to Daniel since I was a

baby - was it not as much of a done deal as I thought it had been?

I blink and then force myself to laugh a little. “Thank you for the offer,” I say, “but Daniel and I are very

happy.”

“Okay,” he says, putting a warm hand on my shoulder. “You let me know if you change your mind.”

Alden glances towards the door again. “I’m going to head out, now that I know that you’re safe.

Unless…” he gives me a significant look here. “You have anything to give to me…?”

I blink at him, confused, and then suddenly realize –

Oh my god, does he mean Fiona’s note?

“No,” I say, stepping back a little, my answer coming perhaps a little too fast. I wrap my fingers further

in my hair. “Um, no. I don’t have anything to give you. Not…right now. At least.”

“All right, my dear,” he says, leaning forward to give me a kiss on the forehead. Then, with a pat on my

cheek, he strides out of the room.

I stand there, perfectly still, watching him go. What the hell was that?

A few minutes later, when Kent comes into the room, I’m still standing there, stricken, thinking deeply

about this snarled world. Kent closes the door behind him and closes the distance between us, sitting

down at his desk and folding his hands in his lap.

“So, Fay” Kent says, looking at me evenly. “Tell me everything Alden said.”