The Boy Who Has No Hope (Soulless #6) - Victoria Quinn Page 0,51

better head on her shoulders. I was a bit immature when I was twelve. She possesses more wisdom, probably because she’s learned from all my mistakes.”

“She’s twelve?” I asked, slightly surprised.

The light faded, and she looked slightly embarrassed. “I was really young when I had her…”

I didn’t think less of her. “And you raised her on your own?”

“Not really. My parents have always been around. It’s because of their help that I was still able to go to college and get my master’s degree. They wanted me to have a better life, regardless of my stupid mistake. They didn’t believe I should sacrifice my future for it.”

Now I understood why she took care of her parents so selflessly. “The father?”

She hesitated, peeling back more of the foil from her burrito.

I realized my question was probably intrusive. “You don’t have to answer that…I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re fine,” she said quickly. “I just haven’t thought about him in a long time. His parents basically said they didn’t want anything to do with the baby, that their son shouldn’t have his life ruined. They told me to get an abortion…and I said no. So, they walked away.”

That was fucked up. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not angry about it. If they didn’t want to be in Lizzie’s life, that’s their decision. I wouldn’t want them to be around if they weren’t going to love her and treasure her the way she deserved. It made my life a lot easier, honestly.”

I should have known that would be her attitude because she was so independent. “That still must have been hard…at that age.”

“It was definitely hard. I lost a lot of friends because they moved on to great things and had fun, and I was at home with a baby. But in the end, she was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, so it was fine.”

I nodded, even though I couldn’t imagine having a twelve-year-old daughter, let alone having a child before I was twenty. When I looked back at that time of my life, I viewed myself as a stupid young man who didn’t know anything about life.

“That’s also a reason I rarely mention Lizzie, because when people know that she’s twelve, they immediately judge me. It’s not something I put on my resume or make publicly known. I’m not embarrassed of her at all, but it gets exhausting when you’re constantly judged for something you did twelve years ago. Everyone has mistakes they’re ashamed of, but they keep them private because they’re not a human person at their side.”

“Yeah…I get it.” I continued to eat. “I feel bad having you work long hours when you have a daughter at home.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you.” She smiled. “Women are fully capable of working long hours and in ambitious positions while being a parent. You would never make the same assumption if I were a man.”

I knew she was right.

“So, don’t expect less of me when I’m perfectly able to meet your needs.”

“Got it.”

“My mom is like her second mom, so she’s not alone or anything. She wishes she were alone…” She chuckled before she took another bite.

As much as I wanted this woman, it was hard to imagine having a twelve-year-old girl around. It was a commitment, a responsibility, and I barely got along with anyone, let alone a teenager. When I’d found out about her daughter, I assumed it would change the way I felt about Emerson…but it didn’t. I still wanted her. I just didn’t want to be a stepfather. “She looks just like you.”

“I know.” She grinned wide. “When boys start coming around, it’s going to be rough.”

It would definitely be rough.

She finished her burrito then wiped her mouth and her fingertips. The light from the window behind her gave her hair a glow, a shine that reminded me of summer. She uncrossed her legs then grabbed her laptop. “So, now can I discuss this interview for the TED Talk?”

Great, we were back on that.

She smiled when she listened to me sigh. “At least consider it.”

“Alright…I’ll consider it.”

“Thank you.” She made a note on her notepad. “Your work changes the world, but I think you could change the world in a whole new way if you do this.”

I knocked on the door then slid my hands into my pockets.

Heavy footsteps sounded before the door opened. His dark eyes greeted me with a smile as he looked into my face, wearing the same expression Emerson wore when she talked about Lizzie. “What