Page 108 of I'll Keep Her Safe

“I mean…” I chuff a laugh at the irony. “You’re like an overprotective parent, not wanting her to leave the nest. Not trusting her out in the world on her own.”

Bailey grunts a laugh. “Maybe you’re right.” She shakes her head, brushing lint off her work pants. “She’s like a sister to me, and it crushed me to see her go through what she did with Kurt. I don’t want her to go through that again.”

I place a hand on my daughter’s knee. “You can trust me to take care of her.”

“I know.” Bailey sighs. “It’s not just that. It’s… I don’t wantyouto get hurt, either, Dad.”

My lips part in surprise. “You’re worried aboutme?”

“Of course I am. I always worry about you.”

My heart squeezes. “You don’t have to worry about me, honey. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine, though, are you? Not after what Mom did to you.”

I freeze. “What?”

Bailey sets her wineglass down, twisting to face me. “I know you didn’t choose to miss out on the first half of my life. Mom didn’t tell you about me.”

My jaw sags. “How do you…”

“She let it slip one night.” Bailey’s eyes roll to the ceiling. “When she was drunk.”

Jesus.

“When?”

“I don’t know.” Bailey thinks. “Maybe about five years ago?”

Shit. She’s known that long?

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“I didn’t know if I should.” Bailey lifts a shoulder, looking uncomfortable. “It’s true, though, isn’t it?”

I nod, my throat prickly with emotion. “It is. I would have been in the hospital the day you were born, if I’d known.” I reach for her hand. “I would have been there every single day of your life.”

“I know.” She looks down at our hands. “I think I’ve always known.”

Something eases in my chest. For the first time, I feel like I’m having a truly honest conversation with my daughter.

“The truth is, I’ve never forgiven your mom for not telling me,” I say. “For all the things I missed.”

“Me neither. I’m working on it with my therapist.”

My eyebrows rise. “You’re in therapy?”

“Yeah, for a few years now.” She tilts her head, almost amused. “How do you think I recognized all of Kurt’s toxic behavior? My therapist helped me identify it in Mom.”

I grimace, seeing the connection for the first time. They’re not exactly the same, Brittany and Kurt, but there are similarities there for sure. Kurt might be more egotistical, more outgoing and sure of himself, but both he and Brittany wield emotional manipulation like a weapon. Neither cares who they hurt if it gets them what they want.

And I finally understand why Bailey is so protective of Poppy. After what she experienced with her mom, it’s been hard to see her friend go through it too. She’s like me—she can’t stand the thought of someone she loves suffering.

I think of the times I wish I could have been there for my daughter, could have shielded her from Brittany, and my throat burns. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there to protect you from her, honey.”

Bailey squeezes my hand. “It’s okay. I thought it would get better when I moved out, but it almost got worse.” She gives me a grim smile. “Why do you think I jumped at the chance to move to the other side of the country?”

I half laugh, half grimace in response. “So it wasn’t because of me?” I joke, hoping it will lighten the mood.

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