Page 46 of Finally Found You

The wine, combined with a book, helps ease the knots in my back. I find myself completely engrossed in Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Though a classic, it’s a tale I’ve never read.The penthouse’s library holds a hidden treasure that I’m uncovering little by little. Tonight, the words on the page transport me to another time and place, and I lose myself in the tale.

I savor each sentence, following Don Quixote, the gallant knight, on his quest to right wrongs and protect the innocent. He may be mad, but his heart is pure, and his intentions noble. As I sit, lost in the tale, the elevator chimes softly, announcing someone’s arrival on the rooftop. I glance up and spy a familiar silhouette, my pulse quickening when I recognize Lysander.

I smile as he approaches, the magnetic pull between us undeniable. The memory of our shared kiss earlier today is etched into my mind and soul.

“Are you okay?” he inquires gently, taking a seat beside me.

“How’s Kenzy?” I deflect.

“She’s fine. I spoke to her about Elsie. How she has a different life, and it’s best she leaves. However, I’m not prepared to reveal the whole truth about her mother yet,” he confesses, carefully selecting his words. “I’ll wait until she’s mature enough to cope with it.”

“You’re a good father,” I say, grasping my glass and taking a generous sip of wine. I chuckle, recalling Elsie’s earlier jibe. “Just so you know, I’m not looking for a father figure.”

He nods. “It’s good to hear, and I never thought you were.”

“You don’t look almost forty,” I continue. “Probably thirty-two or thirty-three.”

He laughs. “I’m sure I don’t look that young.”

“I never thought about your age when we met at the bar,” I add.

“No?” he probes, his eyes studying me intently. “What were you thinking?”

“You looked lost and… I don’t know. I wanted you to erase my pain while I erased yours.”

Neither of us speaks for a moment, the air heavy with unspoken emotions. I take another sip of wine.

“I take it you were worried about Kenzy?” he ventures.

“Yep. She had been gone for days and she’s the only family I have left,” I admit, my heart aching with the knowledge that I’ll lose her soon. To him.

Lysander stands and gently takes my hand, pulling me into his embrace as our bodies draw near. Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment, a mutual understanding passing between us before our lips meet in a desperate kiss.

There’s a hunger within it, an urgency that speaks of unfulfilled longing and unspoken desires. Beneath the hunger, there’s also a soothing quality that’s both tender and protective. It’s as if he’s trying to erase the pain I carry, one breath at a time.

As our mouths move in sync, and our breathing becomes one, warmth spreads through my chest, radiating outward. The tension that had coiled inside me begins to dissipate, and I finally start to relax in his arms, my body melting into his. The world around us fades away, leaving nothing but the intimate connection between us—a sanctuary amidst the chaos of our lives.

However, I stiffen when I hear an angry voice, sharp and piercing, like a dagger through my heart. “Why are you kissing my father?” Kenzy’s accusation steals the breath from my lungs, and I wish I could simply vanish from sight.

“I…” I stammer, my eyes wide as I stare at Kenzy in disbelief.

“It’s true. You’re trying to take him from me,” she accuses, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears and brimming with reproach as she points at the elevator. “Leave. I don’t want to see you ever again.”

“Kenzy,” Lysander cautions, his voice laden with tension and concern.

Kenzy doesn’t look at him. She glares at me. “You told me you’d leave when I say so. Well, this is it. I don’t want you anymore.”

I swallow hard, a lump forming in my throat. Apologizing for falling in love with her father or pleading for understanding feel both futile and hollow. I see the pain in her eyes, mingled with resentment. It tears me apart to leave her—and him. But I have no choice. There’s nothing I can say to make this right.

This is for the best. As I take a hesitant step, Lysander implores, “Cam, don’t go. We can fix this.”

“If she doesn’t leave, I will,” Kenzy threatens, her body trembling with emotion.

“Sorry,” I whisper to both, fighting to hold back the tears that threaten to spill, knowing deep down that this was my fault, a foolish but big mistake.

I pack my things and order an Uber. My phone buzzes with a text from Lysander, informing me that the family driver is waiting for me. He has made a reservation at a nearby hotel under my name. We can fix this tomorrow, he promises.

Despite wanting to follow his suggestion, I don’t. Instead, I take the car I had already ordered and head straight to the airport. Waiting on standby for the first flight to Denver, I realize I can’t stay here any longer. With my heart shattering into a thousand pieces, I have to go.

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