Page 418 of Redeeming 6

“Does your son have a name?”

“I, ah…” Blowing out a breath, I shook my head. “I don’t know what she wants to call him yet.”

“Ah, Mammy is making the decision.”

“She did all the work,” I replied, settling my son on my shoulder to wind him. “She can name the baby.”

“Smart boy.”

“Could that happen again?” Gently patting our son’s back, I gestured to his mother. “What happened to Aoife after delivery? The bleeding. It won’t come back, will it?”

After consoling me with a whole heap of medical terminology and lingo that went clean out of my head, the nurse stopped in the doorway and asked, “Do you need me to help you with anything?”

Yeah, I need you to make my girlfriend open her eyes.

“No,” I replied gruffly. “I’ve got this.”

I waited until the nurse left before setting my son back down in his bassinet and returning to my post of hovering over his mother.

“You’ve got this,” I whispered, stroking her cheek. “Little fighter.”

Remembering what the nurse said about letting her sleep, I reluctantly shoved my hands into the front pocket of my hoodie to stop myself from touching her, only to frown when my fingers grazed paper.

Nanny’s letter.

Returning to my perch on the chair at her bedside, I withdrew the envelope my great-grandmother had given to me yesterday.

Christ, it felt like a million years ago.

Tearing open the envelope, I reached for the note inside only to halt in my tracks when my eyes landed on cash.

A lot of cash.

“Holy fuck,” I strangled out, eyes widening as a thick wad of fifty-euro notes spilled onto my lap.

Panic stricken, I looked around to make sure that I was alone before quickly counting the money up.

I broke into a cold sweat when I finished counting and had to recount it another three times before my head registered what my brain was telling me.

Fifteen thousand euro.

Fifteen grand.

Fifteen fucking K.

“What the hell?” Beyond confused, I stuffed the cash back into my pocket and quickly unfolded the note.

Dear Joseph,

To know that I finally get to write this letter brings me both immense joy and sadness in equal measure.

Joy, because I know that you are thriving and most importantly finally free of that horrible man, but great sorrow because it came with such a high price.

I know you’re probably wondering about the money, so I won’t beat around the bush. When Granda passed away, he left you a few bob in his will, but with it came strict instructions to not hand it over to you until you were away from your father and out from under his roof.

I suppose Granda knew as well as I did that you would give it to your mother, who, in turn, would give it to him.

This money was meant for you, Joseph.

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