Page 95 of Child of Mine

“I was never self-medicating back then. It was an unfortunate case of an unsupervised teenager in too many adult situations, like a kid in a candy store, but instead of getting a stomachache, I got into a world of trouble.” I’m not going to lie, but that doesn’t mean that I have to spell out each and every predicament I ever found myself in. “I got away with it for a surprisingly long time. The soap did a good job of keeping it quiet, didn’t want to be blamed for aiding and abetting the corruption of a minor.”

“Is that what happened?”

“Yes and no. Some of my, uh, usage was recreational, but there were also people on the set happy to supply whatever was needed to get me through the day. You know, a little hit of this or bump of that to keep you perky.”

“How old were you?”

“Sixteen when it started. Twenty-two when I got clean.”

“My god.”

“Anyway, the reason I can’t talk about it is that in return for paying for the rehab stint at a secluded treatment center and scrubbing my reputation, I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest move, but I wanted to leave it all behind. I’m not allowed to talk about it at all. After I had Lilah, I was kind of glad because I never want it all to boomerang back on her.” A dry laugh coughs out of me. “No pun intended.”

Carol sighs and shifts back in her chair. “I really don’t know what to do about this. I think I have to talk to our legal department.”

“I understand.” I get up, averting my gaze from the letter. “Do you want me to go home?”

She shakes her head firmly. “No. I don’t want to cave to blackmail unless we have no other choice.” She stands and comes around her desk to take my hand. “I wish I’d known, but I understand why you couldn’t tell me. I’m sorry this happened to you.”

“Thanks, Carol.”

I give her hand a squeeze. Before I make it out the door, she asks, “Do you have any idea who might have written this?”

I shake my head and make my exit. But as I walk back to my office, the name of the one person who recently learned this story echoes in my mind.

Henry.

He wouldn’t do that,Izzy says.

Would he?I guess Quinn’s back too.

Why would he want you to be fired?Izzy asks.

I don’t know, so he could have her to himself?Quinn lobs.Or so he could have a reason to take Lilah. Or so she’d be dependent on him. Any or all of these things.

Shutting them both down, I change directions and walk to Henry’s office. He’s on the phone when I get there but motions for me to come in.

Digging through a pile of papers on the credenza under the office window, he says, “I told you not to use that.”

What did I tell you?Quinn hisses.He told someone, and they used the info.

Oh my god,Izzy gasps.

Probably thought he was doing her a favor,Quinn says.Men are idiots.

This is Lilah’s father!Izzy scolds.

Still a man,Quinn says.Only good for one thing.

Henry turns toward me and mouths, “Sorry.”

My butt lands on the chair by his desk.Isit possible that he let my secret slip somehow? Or told someone on purpose? After all, it’s not like I really know him. He could’ve been conning me this entire time. He could be trying to take Lilah away.

“Well, there could be some serious blowback, but I’ll see what I can do to fix it. Yeah. Bye.” After hanging up the phone, he skirts the desk to perches on its edge. “Sorry about that.”

My worry must be all over my face because his frown deepens. “What happened? Is Lilah okay?”

I shake my head. “Nothing happened to Lilah. She’s fine, as far as I know.”

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