Page 111 of Into These Eyes
“What I did to your mother, and you girls, and that boy, is unforgivable. So, when the cancer diagnosis came, I wasn't surprised. I deserve it. I don't know how quickly it’ll take me. Hopefully, it’ll be fast..
“I'm so sorry for what I've done to you girls. And I don't just mean taking your mother from you, but for everything your lives became after that, for everything they could have been, but weren't. I'm sorry.
“And I'm sorry about that boy. I'm sorry I put false hate in your heart. None of this is his fault. He was caught in the crosshairs of a jealous, vengeful man who didn't learn what love meant until it was too late.
“Loving her meant I should have let her go. I should have wanted her to be happy. I should have put her first.
“My beautiful girl, I know you'll do the right thing by that boy. You might think you became a lawyer because of what happened to your mother, but maybe freeing him is your real purpose. Tell my story and get him out of that hellhole. Clear his name. I know you can't give him back what I took, but youcan give him the chance at a new life. I know you, Jamie, so I know you'll do what's right. There's no doubt in my mind.”
He takes a deep breath, drags a hand down his face and stares at me.
“I mentioned a letter from your mother. I kept it from you and your sister to save our family. Now I’m gone, it’s yours. But I want you to read it together. You’ll need each other. Anika knows where it is. Just remind her of the time she caught me hiding my cigarettes. She'll know. The code is 4778.
“I don't deserve your forgiveness, so I won't ask for it.”
He pauses for a long moment, tears welling in his eyes until they escape and flow down his cheeks.
“I can only hope that one day you'll think of me, and remember something good.”
He leans forward and ends the video.
Stunned, I sit back.
Gavin’s suspicions about his motives were spot on. Everything we’d figured out matched my father’s recount of the events. I know I’ll have to view his confession multiple times for everything else to sink in, but one thing—the most important thing—is crystal clear.
Gavin squeezes my hand, and I realise I’m holding onto his so tightly it hurts. Extracting my fingers, I turn to face him, my chin trembling. I want to smile, but those muscles don’t seem to be working.
He reaches out and grazes a thumb over my cheek, his eyes full of compassion. “Come here,” he murmurs, placing his hand on my shoulder and gently pulling me toward him.
I slip off my stool and fling my arms around his neck, crashing against his chest. The moment his arms encircle me, I let the happiness override everything else. Burying my face in the curve of his neck, I half-laugh, half-sob with relief.
“Jesus, that can’t have been easy,” he says close to my ear as he rubs my back. “But I’ve got you.”
Realising he doesn’t understand the significance of what we just watched, I take a deep breath and pull away enough so I can grip his shoulders. “And now I’ve got you. Oh, my God, have I got you.”
His blue eyes bore into mine, something simmering within them that has my heart skipping a beat. Then my words register. Heat burns my cheeks. I quickly let go of his shoulders and slide back onto my stool. And laugh. Maybe a little hysterically, but I can’t help it.
“I mean,” I say, getting control of myself, “we have exactly what we need now.” I glance at the computer, then back at him. But from the look on his face, he still doesn’t understand. He should be grinning from ear to ear, not looking like I’ve just crushed him.
“Jamie … that must have hurt—”
“No! Don’t you get it? This confession is everything. His motive, how he did it, why he let you take the blame. That video is your freedom.”
As I grab his hands and squeeze, trying to emphasise the point, I see the moment his focus shifts, the moment it dawns on him. His eyes brighten with hope just a moment before he looks down at our hands. Letting out a scoff of disbelief, he shakes his head. When he meets my gaze, that sexy grin spreads his lips and sparkles in his eyes.
“You really think so?” he asks, his thumbs brushing back and forth over my knuckles.
“There’s not a single doubt. We just watched your ticket to the rest of your life.”
“Jesus,” he murmurs.
“It’s really going to happen, Gavin. It’s not just a hope or wishful thinking or a maybe anymore. It’s an absolute, a foregone conclusion. I’m so, so happy for you!”
Tears pool in his eyes, then spill down his cheeks. After a long moment, he releases my hands and swipes them away. On a shuddering breath, he asks, “So, what happens next?”
“Well, apart from making a million copies of that video so it doesn’t mysteriously disappear, we need to finish your affidavit. Liam’s coming into the office to sign his tomorrow.” The excitement at having irrefutable evidence dampens when I remember my promise to Pete. I hesitate a moment, then say, “The courts close in a few days for Christmas, so we won’t make the deadline.”
“Good. You need to get some rest.”
