Dark Secret - Avelyn Paige Page 0,13

and confusion. Guilt has always niggled away at the back of my mind for keeping Hayden a secret from him, but I’d always managed to find a new excuse for why it had been the right choice. I still think it was the right choice.

But it’s not anymore. Something has changed. As much as Wyatt’s life—and the women who seem to take up permanent residence in it—hurt me, even I can’t deny the intensity he’s already shown when it comes to finding our daughter.

Though I’d told my story to several officers, it wasn’t until I’d told him about Hayden going missing that I’d finally felt even a modicum of relief. Relief that he was looking. Relief that I wasn’t alone. Relief that he had learned about our child and loved her instantly without even meeting her.

When the front door to the house opens, I swipe at my face and fluff my hair before climbing out of the car.

“Hey, Lorna,” I say, greeting my stepmother with a false smile and a half-hearted hug.

“Oh, honey,” she murmurs, holding me tight to her ample bosom. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Another wave of guilt washes over me, but this time, not for the way I’d left Wyatt, but for the way I’d left my dad and Lorna.

I’d spoken to them over the years, of course, but after that horrific night at the clubhouse, I haven’t stepped foot back in this town, until now. Dad and Lorna had come to visit every couple of months and stayed for a night or two, but that was the extent of it. And two years ago, when my father had suffered a massive heart-attack on the job and died, even those visits came to an end, and Lorna has been here, alone, ever since.

All I can do is hug her back and force away the fresh wave of tears, praying I don’t actually drown in them this time.

“Come in.” Taking my hand in hers, she leads me inside.

I’d always liked Lorna. My own mother had deserted me when I was about three years old, leaving me with my dad. He’d raised me and loved me, and did all the things a good parent does. He taught me how to tie my shoes and ride a bike. He taught me how to bait a hook and catch a fish. He’d taught me how to drive.

But luckily for the both of us, Lorna had come along by the time he’d needed to teach me about the growing pains of becoming a woman. And sex. And bras and boys, and thong underwear. Thank God she’d been the one to handle that. I would have been mortified, as well as my dad, if we had to work that out together.

I follow Lorna into the house, and the first thing I notice is that it smells exactly the same. Even the faint smell of Dad’s cigars still lingers in the air, likely a permanent smell on every surface in the house.

“Did you see Wyatt?” she asks, leading me to the kitchen and putting the kettle on to boil.

“I did.”

For the next hour, I sip on tea and tell her all about how the police had been useless, and about how angry Wyatt had seemed. And I tell her about his promise to find her.

“Do you believe him?”

I stare into her eyes, really considering the question before I answer, “I do.” I’m surprised at the truth of that statement. “Wyatt won’t stop until he finds her. He may not know her, but I know him. He’ll bring her home.”

“And then what? What happens then?”

Dropping my face into my hands, I take a deep breath. “I don’t know, to be honest. I just don’t know.”

Lorna gives me a sad smile and places her hand over mine on the table top. “There’s still time to think about that, honey. But, in the meantime, let's collect your things and get you upstairs. You look exhausted.”

I am exhausted. The last time I’d slept was when Hayden had been asleep, safe in her bed, just down the hall from me. That feels like forever ago. How am I supposed to sleep not knowing where Hayden is?

“Go get your stuff and settle in for the night,” she urges. “I got your old room all ready for you.” Standing, she carries the cups and teapot to the sink before turning back to me. “You know, the situation may not be the best in these circumstances, but it sure is nice to