Page 19 of Finally Found You

My family is everything. But words alone won’t be enough to convince her. I have to show both her and Kenzy that I’m genuine when I say I want this relationship to work. “I’m not asking for the fifteen years I lost. All I want is to build a future with her. I would like it if you two stayed with me for at least a few weeks. You’ll be around while Kenzy and I bond. The last thing I want is to take her away from you.”

Our eyes lock. The tension in the room is palpable—a silent battle waged between us. I can see the anger and hurt in Camilla’s eyes, but there’s something else, too. Fear. I know she’s terrified of losing the bond she’s formed with Kenzington, but I’m determined to do what’s best for my daughter.

After what feels like an eternity, Camilla finally speaks, her voice barely above a whisper. “Fine, but only if she agrees.” She hesitates, her gaze searching mine. “But it won’t be easy. You’ll have to prove yourself to Kenzy, and she’s a tough cookie to crack.”

I nod, understanding this is Kenzy’s decision. “I know. I’m prepared to do whatever it takes.”

As I watch Camilla turn back to her cooking, I can’t stop the pang of longing for what could have been between us. I’m fucking glad nothing happened last night, and I’m sure nothing will in the near future. One day, she’ll disappear from our lives, and the emotions she awoke when she entered my life will be buried forever.

Chapter Ten

Camilla

Not long after Lysander proposes that Kenzy and I stay with him so father and daughter can get to know each other, Kenzy bursts through the front door, her hands full of shopping bags, but her aunt Fern is absent.

“Where is Fern?” Lysander inquires, concern lacing his voice.

Kenzy shrugs. She seems genuinely puzzled. “She opened the door for me and said something about the twins being awake and Elliot needing her—whatever that means.”

Lysander nods in understanding, but before he can say anything else, Kenzy turns to me with a beaming smile. “Are you cooking?”

This would be the perfect opportunity to scold her for running away, stealing my wallet, and making things a thousand times worse than they were before. Instead, I reply softly, “Yeah. Seafood pasta. It’s ready if you want some.”

Her eyes light up. “Yes, please. I’m starving.”

Lysander clears his throat, commanding attention. “We have something to discuss.”

Kenzy’s eyes flicker between him and me, searching for reassurance or an explanation.

I shrug. “Take a seat. I’m sure it’s nothing bad.”

“Nothing bad,” Lysander echoes, his tone firm yet gentle.

I glance at him. “Would you like some pasta?”

His lips quirk into a mischievous smirk. “Does it have cyanide?”

“That’s not funny,” I snap, shooting him a glare.

He shakes his head, relenting. “Make sure to wash your hands, Kenzing—”

“Kenzy,” I correct him gently.

He rubs the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “Right, Kenzy. Wash your hands. While we eat, we can discuss a proposal.”

“Proposal?” Kenzy’s gaze flits to me, uncertainty clouding her eyes.

I wave my hand dismissively. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad, okay?”

“Okay,” she whispers before leaving the kitchen.

As Lysander washes his hands in the kitchen’s sink, he grumbles, “I hope you don’t expect me to clean the kitchen?”

“You and Kenzy can do it. It could be your first father-and-daughter bonding activity.” I smirk and add, “Scrubbing the bathroom is a good one, too.”

“Says who?”

“My grandmother. She was a wise woman.”

---