Deep Secret

Harlyn

Walking through, I consider things. As much as I hate the thought of it, the pups need to return to the palace, not forever, but to visit.

I won’t agree to it if my father is there, that will be one condition to them returning to visit is that my father isn’t allowed within the same building as them. That way, I know that they are safe. It’s as if the hate he had for me spilt over into the pups, and I won’t agree with them being put through what I was.

It’s wrong to keep the pups here with me and never let them return to the kingdom to get to know Stefan and his family. It will also hopefully help with my mother and her starvation attempts. If the pups are visiting frequently, she has something to look forward to.

Right now, I need to discuss it with Wayne, I’m unsure of how he will take the news, but this needs to be done. If I can send the pups back to the palace some weekends, it’s a good thing.

They will then get to live the life they could have and choose for themselves if they are happy to be part of the royalty, it’s not my choice to make.

While Stefan hated it and felt like he lost his life under his prince duties, Lucy loved it and thrived so I need to let the pups decide for themselves going forward.

I’ve basically walked around the entire building consider it, and have come back to the room with the pups playing, and I feel even more determined now to tell Wayne that they need to go back and visit. Sighing, I walk away from the pups and into his office.

“Well, considering Harlyn’s dad is dead and had the information, you won’t get it now, will you, Wayne?” I pause at the door hearing Ethan, Wayne looks towards me.

“My dad’s dead!” He knew and didn’t say anything. “What happened.”

“Harlyn, no, not him.” Wayne looks at me, and Ethan rushes out.

“Then who? I only have one dad, Wayne.” Shouting, I stand at the door and stare at him.

“Come in and sit, I will explain.” He stands looking at me.

“No, just tell me what I don’t know.” My eyes glance around the room and he walks to me. Why is he talking about my dad anyway to Ethan? His hands pull me in.

“Just do as you’re told, goddammit Harlyn!” He screams his words at me, and I flinch back, taken aback by his change in demeanour.

“Mummy.” I turn and see the pups.

“It’s fine. Go back to playing.” Wayne looks at them, and they stay by the door. “You want to know? I will tell you. Do you really want me to tell you in front of them?” He looks at me, annoyed. Them? He had never called the pups ‘them’ in that way before.

“Go back and play, I’m fine.” I smile at them and watch as they walk away. Turning, I look at Wayne. “How is my dad dead?” I ask.

“Not him. I watch as he goes through his drawers and pulls everything out, looking for something.

“Your mother was raped by a man; that man is your father. We meant he’s dead.” He continues speaking as he looks through the drawers the desk getting more full of stuff.

“Wayne, that’s a lie.” It has to be. “If he wasn’t my dad, I wouldn’t have lived with him; he hated me and would have thrown me out instantly. Stop lying!” I shout at him.

“It’s not a lie. If you wait, I can find the proof. That is who we were talking about, the man you call dad isn’t dead, he’s fine.” His words are loud as he throws more things on the desk.

“You knew and didn’t tell me?” He knew all this time about my real dad. I stood up, feeling annoyed. “How long have you known he wasn’t my dad?” I looked at him. He knew and didn’t tell me. How could he do that? He didn’t reply. He continued to look through the drawers. “Wayne, how long have you known?” I screamed at him.

“Since before you showed up,” he says and throws my items on the table.

“Before? How could you have known since before I showed up when you didn’t know me?” I screamed, and he looked at me, shocked. He didn’t mean to tell me that. My eyes glanced down, and I picked up a picture.

“Who is this?” Why does it look so much like me? I look at him, and he doesn’t speak. “Wayne, who the hell is this!” Screaming, I glare at him.

“It’s Katy.” His words are quiet. Katy? As in his wife, who died. Why do we look so similar? Wait.

“Is that what this is? You wanted her and couldn’t have her, so instead, you used me!” I step back slightly placing down the picture.

“No, I love you. That was never a lie.” He moves towards me.

“Then why does that look like me!” Screaming, I look around the room. It is so like me.

“Katy had the same father as you.”

My head shakes at him, he’s lying, someone has to be lying.

“I love you; that was never a lie, and I didn’t get into this relationship with you because you reminded me of Katy; I got into this relationship because I love you.” His words are shouted.

“Mummy.” I hear Thorin behind.

“Go away!” Wayne shouts, and I stare at him. “Sorry, Thorin. Go back through there, please. Everything is fine.” Wayne smiles at him.

“It’s fine, Thorin. We’re just having an argument. Go back to Isaac and Lotta.” I smile at him. I don’t want him to find out this.

“How did you know before I came when you didn’t know me, Wayne!” I stand fighting back the tears.

“I was told he had another daughter in that kingdom. I didn’t know it was you, not until months after you had arrived here.” He still knew, though.

Turning I go to leave and his hand grips mine. “Don’t run, let me explain.” He looks at me, waiting.

“I need time. Leave me alone, Wayne.” Rushing out, everything floods me, and I feel my body shaking as I shift and run into the trees.