CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

KACEY POV

Over the years I worked on fulfilling my dreams and I was happy that they finally came true but it was all thanks to Anthony's support that if he wasn't here with me I probably wouldn't have made it.

I graduated from college with honors and on top of that I had my dream job.

And my mother. Well I haven't spoken to her or Elijah in twelve years.

I still kept communicating with my best friend Ronnie. She was now working but she didn't tell me the type of job she was doing. Apparently she was working in her parent's company but she mentioned something about a side hustle.

I made her promise not to tell anyone about my whereabouts or about Tatia.

"How is he?" I finally asked.

Even if I didn't mention his name Ronnie still knew who I was talking about.

"He still looks the same but twice miserable."

"Kacey just tell him the truth and put the poor man out of his misery."

"You know that I can't do that."

"I know Liam broke your heart but I think you've punished him enough that he deserves to know about Tatia."

"Your mother already told him that you were pregnant when you disappeared. I'm sure that he knows that he has a child somewhere in this world."

"I'll think about it Ronnie but please don't tell him anything. I'll do that myself when the right time comes but for now keep this secret to yourself."

"Mom?" Tatia muttered while coming down the stairs.

"Ronnie I have to go Tatia is awake we'll talk later."

"Alright Kacey take care of yourself and think about what I've said."

"Okay."

Once I hung up I smiled at Tatia.

"You're finally awake."

She sat on one of the stools and poured herself some cereal.


"Yeah and who were you talking to so early in the morning?" She asked curiously.

"I was just talking to Aunt Ronnie. She misses you."

"We should go visit her during our vacation time. She's in New York right?"

I nodded quietly.

"Yeah. And don't worry we'll visit soon I promise."

She rolled her eyes at me.

"Mom you've been saying that for years but we've actually gone anywhere."

"I want to go to New York."

"We can go to any country in the world for our vacation time but except in New York."

She cocked a brow at me.

"What's in New York? It always seems like you're afraid of something."

I sighed softly.

"Stop assuming things and just eat your breakfast. I'm already running late for work."

"Today is Saturday. I'm not planning on going anywhere."

I chuckled softly.

"Well I can't leave you home all by yourself. I thought I would just drop you off at Sandra's house."

"I'll just stay home and play video games. Is that okay?"

"I'm not sure Tatia, I've never left you alone before thinking about it just makes me nervous."

Anthony kissed me on the cheek.

"Good morning."

"Oh good morning Anthony."

"What is this talk I'm hearing?"

"New York?"

Tatia nodded eagerly.

"I wanna go to New York for our vacation time but mom keeps saying no."

Anthony looked at me and sighed softly.

"Can we talk about New York later?" He asked while looking at Tatia.

"Yeah I guess so."

"Good meanwhile you can think about New York while you stay at home."

She smiled at Anthony.

"Does that mean that I'm not getting a babysitter?"

"Yes you're a big girl now and I'll be coming home early so your mother has nothing to worry about."

He winked at me and I frowned instead.

Anthony always looked giving Tatia whatever she wanted and this time she wanted to go to New York. That was the one thing that he couldn't give her because Liam was in New York.
I wasn't ready to face him especially after all of the years that went by.

I kissed Tatia on the forehead.

"I'll see you tonight sweetie."

"Okay mom have a good day."

I smiled at her.

"You too."

Once Anthony and I left the house I made sure that one of our neighbors kept a close eye on Tatia.

"Why did you give her false hope?"

Anthony kept his gaze on the road.

"I know that you're avoiding going to New York because of your past. But as time goes by Tatia is getting older she'll start asking questions about her father."

"You can't avoid that question forever because one day she's bound to find out the truth."

"What scares me the most is that Tatia is completely obsessed with going to that city. I'm afraid that she'll find out the truth."

"I know that you want to protect Tatia but at the same time you're not being fair to Liam as well. He deserves to know about Tatia."

"He's her father, you can't keep him away forever."

"Just promise to think about it alright?"

"I guess I could do that."

"Good."

The car came to a stop and I bid Anthony goodbye.

I couldn't believe that it was already time to tell Tatia the truth but I wasn't fully prepared. I didn't want her to hate me when she found out that I'm the one who chose to keep her away from her father.

Things could go horribly wrong and I didn't want to lose her.

ANTHONY POV

It's been years and I still loved her secretly afraid that I would ruin our friendship but if Kacey was ready to face her fears then I was going to do the same as well.

I was utterly in love with Kacey and she still didn't have a clue because I chose to hide my feelings from her.

But I think that it was time she found out what was in my heart.

I pulled out the ring I had purchased years ago. The diamond shone under the light. I'm sure that Kacey was going to love it.


Over the past few years I acted like a father figure towards Tatia because she reminded me of my own daughter as well. I felt like a father again and I didn't feel like a failure anymore.

I showered her with all the love in the world and gave her whatever she wanted even if Kacey happened to be against it.
But despite all of this Tatia was a smart girl she wanted to know everything including the whereabouts of her biological father.

That's when I knew that no matter what I did I could never take his place or replace because I wasn't her real father.

I hope that one day this ring will unite us and make us a real family.

TATIA POV

Once everyone was gone I went upstairs to my mother's bedroom and began checking all of her drawers hoping to find some cash.

My mother probably thought that I didn't hear her conversation with Aunt Ronnie but the truth was that I heard everything and I'm certain that my father is somewhere in New York.

If she won't take me to him I'll just find him myself and bring him back home.

After finding some cash I got my passport and went to pack the clothes I would be taking with me.

I was going to New York alone without telling my mother or Anthony because I didn't want them to worry about me.

Besides, I wasn't a little girl anymore.

It wasn't long before I was going to the airport by bus. I went through some of the photos my mother and I took together.I didn't want to go against her but I felt like I didn't have much of a choice.

I looked outside the window.

I would be back soon and I was going to bring my father with me so that we can be a family again.

Tears spilled down my cheeks but I wiped them away because the bus had come to a stop.

LIAM POV

I couldn't bear her absence any longer. I had finally given in and became weak once more. I allowed the pain I was feeling to control me and allowed Amelia to influence my decisions.

I was already back to my old habits again. Each morning I woke up with a different woman on my bed. I wouldn't recall anything from the previous night because of my excessive drinking.

I was blinded by pain and allowed it to rule me but the sad part was that I was tired of fighting it so gave in.

Amelia wrapped her arms, kissing me on the cheek.

"Ah this feels like a dream Liam I knew that one day you would return back to me it was just a matter of time."

"That woman didn't even deserve your love because she left you."

"You're right Amelia, maybe it's time I stop feeling sorry for myself."

She pulled back and smiled at me.

"Well are you here to get fucked or not?" I snapped angrily.