Still The One - Carrie Elks Page 0,99

She could imagine him all those years ago, thinking he was the king of the castle, sleeping with two women, getting them both pregnant. And now he looked chastened. Embarassed. Under the thumb of a woman he’d wronged.

“No,” she told him. “I wouldn’t be willing to do that.”

“Can I ask why?” He lifted his head up, his eyes wide.

Yeah, he could ask. Didn’t mean she owed him an answer. She looked at him with tired eyes, wondering why this all felt so damn awkward.

“Because it wouldn’t make a difference. You weren’t a father to me when I needed one. And now that I know you are, it doesn’t matter. You’re too late.”

He blinked, his gaze dropping to his legs. “You’re right. I wasn’t there.” Another cough. Still not meeting her eye, he took a pen out of his suit pocket, then a small black book that looked suspiciously like a checkbook.

He wasn’t going to try to buy her off, was he? Her mouth was dry as he opened the flap, then twisted his expensive-looking pen until the nib came through. He meticulously wrote, then tore out the check and held it to her.

“What’s that?” She made no move to take it.

“Ten thousand dollars. Something close to what I owe in child support.” He pushed the check toward her. “Take it. It’s yours.”

She stared at the piece of paper. At his elegant handwriting. At her name written in loops and swirls along the top line. Ten thousand dollars. It made her feel sick to look at.

“I don’t want your money,” she told him, her voice low. “I don’t want anything from you.”

“But Nora’s worried you’ll come for it after I’m gone. I want to settle it now. Make sure she and Chrissie are looked after.” His tone was desperate.

Van’s jaw tightened. “You’re a piece of work, you know that? Why would I come after your money? I don’t want anything to do with you. Not any of you. Once upon a time you might have made my life more liveable.” She stood, unable to sit civilly and listen to him anymore. “I know you saw me, running around town on my own when I should have been taken care of at home. And I know you know mom was depressed or drunk or both most of the time. I needed you then.” She shook her head. “I needed someone. Even if you offered me a million dollars it wouldn’t make up for that.”

His mouth dropped open. “A million…”

Van shook her head. “Don’t worry. I don’t want a dime off you. You can tell Nora and Chrissie that your money’s safe. And if you want me to sign something stating I have no claim on it, then send it to me. I’ll sign anything to get you all out of my life.”

“If you’re going to be like that about it then I should go.” He stood, sliding his pen and checkbook back into his pocket. “You’re ungrateful. Like your mom. I gave her a job, a home, and she only wanted more. Nora’s right, you’re both poison.” He pushed his chest out, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her.

“That might be the nicest thing anybody’s ever said to me.” She walked to the living room entrance, and pointed to the hallway. He walked past her, his shoulders back, his head high. “I’d rather be like my mom than you. Or any of your family.”

He pulled the front door open, then turned to look at her. “Yes, well. I’ll ask my lawyer to send you a contract.”

She was sure he would. Stupid thing was, she’d sign it, too. Because her pride was worth so much more than this excuse of a father in front of her.

He huffed and stepped outside. That’s when Van saw the passenger sitting in his car, with her hair perfectly coiffed as she lifted her nose and glanced at Van on the doorstep.

A wave of fury washed over her. Van pushed past Johnny and almost ran down the steps. Alarm widened in Nora’s eyes as Van reached for the passenger door.

“What are you doing?” she asked, as Van wrenched it open.

“I want to talk to you.”

Nora lifted her head a little more. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“That’s good. Maybe you’ll listen to what I have to say then.” She felt the cool of Johnny’s shadow fall over her as he stood behind her, saying nothing. “First of all, you can stuff your money. I don’t want