Page 36 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

“No sense in dragging this out.” Tomorrow, if he could. He didn’t want this to linger. They both needed to move on.

“You’re right.” She placed the pen on the table and rubbed a hand across her forehead, closing her eyes. “You’re always right.”

That pesky guilt reared up. She’d always been putting herself down, even before Mira’s birth. She didn’t believe herself competent enough. Now his actions reinforced that belief. Although he felt like a heel, he had to move forward.

Now that she’d signed the last of the papers, he picked up the same pen and wrote out a check.

“This should get you started. As soon as you have a bank account set up, we can arrange for me to deposit money there every month. I know it’s not a lot, but it should be enough for you to live off of.”

“I don’t want your money.”

Another broken whisper that ate at his gut and hurt his soul.

“But you need it, and it’s there, so take it.” He met her gaze as he handed her the check. “Let me know when you’re set up in an apartment.”

“So you’ll know where to serve the custody papers?”

That hadn’t been his first thought but was up there. “So I can make sure you’re okay.”

“Like you care.”

Dammit, I’m losing her.“I care, Sissy, never doubt that.”

“Then why? Why do this?”

“Because I have to.”

She sighed. He knewthatsigh. That sigh scared him.

He reached for his wallet and pulled out all the cash. “This should pay for the cab and get you a hotel for a couple of nights. I can get you more—”

“No, Rusty, this is very generous.” She slipped the check and cash into her tattered purse. “I’ll be in touch.” She stood.

“Where are you going? The cab isn’t here yet.”

“No, but we’re finished, aren’t we? I’ll wait outside.”

Without waiting for a response, she trudged to the door and slipped from the house.

Her resignation in the face of something so monumental scared him. It’d been too easy.

He watched her standing by the end of the driveway, waiting for her ride. What if he’d pushed her too far? What if he’d pushed her too hard?

What if he’d pushed her back to her pills?

She wiped away tears as the cab pulled up.

He’d always love her. The realization brought with it a heavy heart. She was his first. His first love and, now, his first heartbreak.

“Daddy?”

He turned to face two grinning faces. “Are my girls ready for cookies?”

Two enthusiastic and trusting faces rewarded him.

He might be a bastard, but he had only the best of intentions. He had to protect Mira. No matter the cost.

Chapter fourteen

---