Its been six days since the boating incident and Dennys body still hadnt been found. Stanley informed Drake that Denny had told him once that he cant swim, which made me wonder why the h.e.l.l he wouldve gone on that boat in the first place.

It was all a set up, Molly, Drake reminded me as I kept trying to figure this whole thing out in my head.

Set up for what? I just dont understand why he was after me in the first place? I sat on the sofa, folding baskets and baskets of laundry.

He felt threatened by you. He recognized you at the engagement party and knew you mustve recognized him too when you reacted. Im sure he thought youd tell me right away and that his cover would be blown, Drake rea.s.sured me, trying to help me put the pieces together. It made sense out loud; I knew that, but why? Why was he so h.e.l.l bent on revenge when I hadnt done anything to himever.

Drake and his team of lawyers spoke with the police and explained everything to them. Drakes driver got off on saving Drakes life"defense of another person"and I got off with self-defense"with no intention to harm. Im sure if Drake hadnt shown up with a half a dozen top attorneys, the situation may have played out differently, but the important part was that there was no legal charges.

Molly, the man was sick. Theres just no other way to explain a man who has done the things hes done. He has no sense of morals, no common sense, and no compa.s.sion for people. He knelt beside me, tilting my chin up so we were eye level. This is not your fault.

I didnt feel bad for Dennys missing body. I felt incredibly guilty when Travis died, but this was a different kind of grief. I had been responsible for both of these incidents"even if one deserved more than the other. However, besides feeling grief that I pushed him in, I felt relief. Relief that he was finally gone"out of my life"he couldnt hurt me anymore.

I just need to know that this is over, I whispered. I cant live in fear anymore.

Its over, baby. I promise. His face was sincere and his tone soft.

How can you know?

Denny was after one thing"you. He used his connections from prison to get to you and use them against you, but those are all gone now. The police know everything about his background and who he worked with. They are taking care of it. The threat is gone, he promised.

Thank you. I cupped a hand over his face, letting it melt against him. Thank you for always being there, for always knowing what to say, and for beingyou.

Its the only thing I ever want to do, Molly. Protecting you and our family is the only thing that matters to me.

I leaned in and kissed him gently.

So Ive been thinking, I paused, grabbing his attention. I dont want anymore secrets. Nothing that can be held against me or anyone. He wrinkled his nose, waiting for me to continue. Im going to tell Stanley. Im going to tell him everything.

He backed up a bit, raising his eyebrows at me. Really? Molly, you dont have to do that. The threat is gone now.

I know. But I think its the right thing to do. Ill tell my parents beforehand that I plan to tell him and as long as Stanley hears it from me, there wont be any publicity scandal.

Only if you want to. Please dont feel pressured. But know that Ill support you either way. He smiled, rubbing small circles over my palm.

I want to be able to announce it at the banquet. I think itll be a good opener for the charity, the real reason I founded it.

He smiled again, this time it reached his eyes. I think thats a great idea.

Even after I had the babies, and then had gone back to working on Project Anchor, Michael continued to help me. I think he secretly enjoyed helping people, even though he wore this tough, insensitive persona on the outside to many other people, he was always compa.s.sionate and caring to me.

It was nice that Michael and I had a project together, something that reconnected us. My life had changed so drastically over the past couple years. Michael and I werent together as often.

So, hows all the party planning going? I asked Michael as I set a basket of laundry on the table. Anything I can do?

Michael loves hosting a party or event. I knew he wouldnt let me help, but I at least wanted to offer. I knew he had it all under control though.

The charity event we were hosting for Project Anchor was to thank the sponsors for their contributions and to showcase some of our success stories. We even had a parent-daughter duo reunited that was willing to give a speech on how successful our charity had been for them.

I planned on telling Stanley before the event, but announcing it to everyone during. I knew it would come as a shock, but I really felt like giving the investors background information and letting the public know the reason for this charity, it will help it stand out from all the other corporations.

No, thanks, mama. I got it all under control. Just show your pretty face and do your speech thing and Ill handle the rest. He smiled, looking through his calendar. I glanced over it, and I saw tons of highlights and scribbled in notes.

That I can handle, I smirked.

Explaining everything to my parents was hard. Especially because I had to tell them each separately and explain the whole Denny situation twice"me recognizing him, the text messages, the set up"they were furious but understood my reasoning to tell Stanley. I wanted it out in the open instead of lingering over me like a dark cloud ready to strike me at any moment.

Two weeks after the Denny incident, his body was finally found. It floated up the river and was found by some people who were walking the river trail.

The news. .h.i.t newsstands everywhere"his background story, his time in jail, his threats"it was like a whirlwind of events that spiraled out, finally, so everyone knew. Except Stanley. I had yet to tell him the truth of it all.

h.e.l.lo, Violet, I said in a calm tone as she answered the door. If I were going to do this, I would do it in person.

Molly, what asurprise, she responded.

Yes, sorry. I shouldve called, but I just need a moment with Stanley.

Um, sure, she hesitated. She backed up, allowing me in. Violet and I were acquaintances and nothing more, but we still were respectable when necessary.

She called for Stanley who was in his study. I felt jittery as I waited for him. Drake offered to come with me, but this was something I needed to do alone. I was about to tell this man some very important, and probably unbelievable news.

Molly, dear. How are you? he greeted me. Stanley was a tall man. He typically had to lean down to kiss my cheeks. He was a gentleman and very compa.s.sionate outside of the office. Drake was the same way though, always putting their game faces on when it came to work.

Im good, Stanley. How are you?

Im doing good, thank you. What can I help you with? He motioned for me to sit down with him. I took the chair across from him, taking in slow breaths.

WellI have something to tell you. Its about me. And you. And wellI just need to say it.

Okay He crossed his ankles, looking straight at me.

I breathed in slowly again, closing my eyes as I mentally prepared myself. Yes, I can do this.

Um, okay. This is kind of a personal question, but did you ever donate sperm when you were youngersay 25 or so years ago? I watched as he squirmed in his chair. I could tell he didnt see that coming. AgainIm sorry for the personal question. I swear that its not for an article or anything. I chuckled nervously.

He laughed right back. Yes, yes, I did actually. Back then I wasnt as well off as I am today. I was desperate. I swallowed, my face feeling flushed. Why do you ask?

My parents used a sperm donor because my dad couldnt have children. My mom was desperate to get pregnant and after reading a file, picked a donor.

His eyes widened. Youyou think they picked me? He motioned to himself.

Yes, I answered bluntly. The nurse accidentally spilled the information. At the time, my parents didnt think anything of it because you werent well developed in your career, yet. And they were so eager to get pregnant, they promised to not say anything that would get that nurse in trouble.

Waitso youre telling me, they picked myapplication. And got pregnant. And nownow youre here? He was stammering all over the place. It was a far-fetched story I know, but I already felt better about telling him the truth.

Yes, sir.

H-oly s.h.i.t, he muttered. He brushed a hand through his hair and just stared at me.

I know, its a lot to take in and I wouldnt blame you for not believing me"

Is this some kind of joke? His tone surprised me as he interrupts me.

No. No, of course not. I"

Im sorry. You cant be here right now. You have to go.

I sincerely nodded in his direction and stood up. I made way to the door and held in the tears until I was in the hall. I dont know why I reacted like that; I wasnt looking for anything from him besides to tell him the truth. I didnt want a daddy figure or any kind of attention. I just wanted the truth out there.

However, I shouldve figured. Its a lot for any person to understand, especially when youre the one being told youre the biological father.

I get to the elevator and press the call b.u.t.ton. As I waited, I wiped the tears off and got myself back together. Its going to be okay I told myself over and over.

Just as the elevator rang and the doors slid open, I heard Stanley yell, Molly, wait!

I clenched my eyes tight, holding in the tears that are now continuously falling down. I dont want him to see me like this. This is ridiculous, I muttered to myself.

Molly, please. Im sorry. I could tell he was directly behind me now. He grabbed the inside of my arm pulling me back and spinning me around to face him. Oh G.o.d. I made you cry. Im really sorry. His face is beat red, and I could tell he regretted his previous decision to kick me out.

Im not crying because of that, I lied, wiping them away once again.

Listen, Im an a.s.s. I shouldnt have asked you to leave.

I dont blame you. Its okay. I chewed my lip as I refrained from keeping eye contact with him.

Noit wasnt okay. Cmon. Please come back in.

Theres nothing more to say, Stanley. I understand.

Molly, please. Just come talk to me. The look at his face was a blend of sincerity and regret. I could tell how his earlier behavior was affecting him.

Okay, I muttered.

He escorted me back in, but this time we sat at the kitchen table.

Can I get you anything to drink?

Is vodka an option? I quipped.

h.e.l.l, yeah! Violet roared, entering the kitchen. Too bad theres none in the house, she pouted.

I laughed with her. Water is fine then.

Violet sat across from me, eyeing me down. I wasnt sure how much she had overheard, but I guessed I was about to get an earful.

Soyoure like his daughter? she gasped, propping her elbows up on the table.

I-I guess. I mean, biologically speaking. I grabbed the gla.s.s of water Stanley handed me and watched as he sat next to Violet.

Thats wicked, she said amused. So wait. She smirked. That makes me likeyour stepmom!

I was just about to take a sip of water when she blurted that out, making whatever made it into my mouth choke back into my throat.

Arms up, darling, she teased.

Youre never going to let me live this down are you?

Not ever.

Im glad my life amuses you, I snorted.

So, Molly, why dont you tell me everything.

Okay, I breathed. I could hear his interest in his voice. I wanted to tell him everything.

It started with Denny. I paused, needing to gather my thoughts quickly. Denny knew. He knew about you. My parents told Denny a long time ago. My parents walked in on him in my room and immediately called the cops. Ever since then, he has blamed me for his whole prison sentence. When he saw me for the first time here, he put together this whole plan to get even with me. He threatened to tell you and blow it up all over the news as a scandal, and at the time, there was just too much at stake. I couldnt let him.

So this Dennywell Danor whoever he wasknew the truth the whole d.a.m.n time? I nodded. So he basically used all my resources and used it against you? I nodded again. G.o.d, Molly. I feel so f.u.c.king bad.

Oh G.o.d, no, Stanley, this wasnt your fault at all. Thats not why I told you.

I understand, Molly. I just shouldve investigated better into someone that was partnering up with me. Everything about him checked out, perfectly in fact. I guess that shouldve been my first clue. It checked out too perfectly You really arent to blame, sir. Honestly, Denny was messed up. He wanted to hurt me by getting even and sharing the news knowing it would hurt my parents and family.

I watched as tears filled his eyes, but I couldnt figure out if they were from guilt or anger.

Im sorryI guess maybe I shouldnt have told you. I quickly stood up"ready to dart again"until he grabbed my arm, pulling me to his chest.

Dont be sorry. I never in a million years thought Id ever have a daughter. His arms wrapped around me and for the first time, I wrapped my arms around him. I dont have kids, Molly. I was never anyones father.

Really? You dont want proof or a paternity test or anything? I asked, breathy. I looked up at him and he just smiled. You dont think Im crazy, do you?

He laughed and set my arms free. Not at all. In fact, I see a lot of my parents in you.

Well, I wasnt expecting that.

Really?

Yes. Theres a familiarity in your face.

WowI never imagined youd be so accepting, I admitted. I mean, I was hoping to tell you, to just have it known and out there, but this"never dreamed of it.

I never dreamed of it, either. He smiled.