INTO THE DEPTHS OF LOVE : CHAPTER 81 – 90
A tense silence settled over the room before her mother, Gladys, broke it with a question that made Kristin’s blood run cold.
“Does he know?” Gladys asked, her voice quieter now, as if the question itself held too much weight.
Richard furrowed his brow, clearly confused. “Know about what?” he asked, his eyes moving between Kristin and her parents, waiting for some explanation.
Kristin’s heart pounded in her chest. She knew exactly what her mother was referring to—Kathryn. The secret she had kept for so long, the one she was too ashamed to share with anyone, let alone Richard. She had never told him about her daughter, the beautiful little girl who had come into her life as a result of a one-night stand with a man she couldn’t even remember.
It wasn’t that she didn’t love Kathryn—she adored her. But the circumstances of her birth, the way she had lost her virginity to a stranger in a dimly lit bathroom, had always been a source of deep embarrassment for her.
“Is there something I need to know, Firefly?” Richard asked softly.
Her parents remained silent. They knew this was her burden to carry. Kristin felt the weight of their unspoken expectation pressing down on her. She had to be the one to tell him, not them, but she hasn’t prepared herself yet.
“Of course not, Mr. Grouchy,” Kristin said, forcing a light tone to her voice. “I just need a moment to talk with my parents. Alone.”
Richard studied her for a moment before nodding. “Alright,” he said with a small smile, then turned and left the room.
As soon as he was out of sight, Gladys let out a sigh. “I didn’t think the almighty Mr. Grouchy could smile,” she remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Kristin smiled weakly. “That smile doesn’t come easily, but he’s not as bad as people think.”
“But you still haven’t told him about Kathryn?” Dante chimed in, his tone more concerned than accusatory.
Kristin let out a heavy sigh and sank into the couch. “It’s not that simple. How can I possibly tell him I had a daughter from a one-night stand with a man I don’t even remember? I’ve tried so hard to recall his face, but it’s like a blur.”
“But Richard is your husband. He has every right to know,” Dante said, gently placing his hand over hers.
“I just need time. Where is Kathryn right now?” Kristin asked, shifting away from the conversation she wasn’t ready for.
“She’s with Romina. She doesn’t know you’re married to Richard yet. She’s so desperate for a father that she ran to him and called him ‘daddy,’” Gladys replied, her voice softening as she glanced at her daughter.
Kristin’s eyes widened in panic. “Did he ask who she was?”
“No, he didn’t get the chance. He was more shocked to see us here in Vegas,” her mother assured her.
Kristin let out a breath.
“If you ask me,” Dante began, “you should tell Richard the truth. If he loves you, he’ll understand. He’ll accept your past”
Kristin bit her lip, her thoughts racing. She knew her father was right. Richard deserved to know, but the fear of his reaction kept her silent. His anger, unpredictable and often explosive, made the idea of confessing terrifying.
“I’ll figure out a way to tell him,” Kristin said, standing up. “But for now, I’ll get you all a room at a hotel.”
“But this house is big enough for all of us,” Gladys protested, admiring the elegant space.
“Mom, you can’t stay here. If you do, he’ll find out about Kathryn. I just need more time to prepare,” Kristin explained, trying to hide her growing anxiety.
“Whatever your decision, I hope you don’t take too long. Kathryn is your daughter. You shouldn’t be ashamed of her,” her dad said gently.
Kristin nodded, knowing her dad was right, but still unsure how to tell Richard about her daughter.
INTO THE DEPTHS OF LOVE : CHAPTER 81 – 90
Romina sat on a bench, admiring the beautiful sights of Las Vegas.
“It’s so beautiful,” she murmured with a soft smile.
“When can I see Mommy?” Kathryn asked, holding onto her ice cream cone as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
“Soon, sweetheart. We’re just waiting for a call, then we’ll go see her,” Romina replied, patting the little girl’s head.
Kathryn nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly beamed as if struck by a great idea. “What about Daddy Richard?”
Romina sighed. “Why do you call him Daddy Richard when he’s not your daddy?”
INTO THE DEPTHS OF LOVE : CHAPTER 81 – 90
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