The lighthearted moment was shattered as Emily’s dad sighed heavily, his expression turning grave. “On a slightly less amusing note, Em, Ryan turned up at our house earlier.”
Emily froze, her chopsticks clattering to the table. The room seemed to shrink, closing in on her as she stared at her father, heart hammering against her ribs. “Why?” she managed to croak out, her mouth suddenly dry.
“Looking for you,” her dad replied, his brow furrowed with concern.
Emily’s mind raced, a cold sweat breaking out across her skin. What the fuck did Ryan want? Why now, of all times? She could feel Lucas’ eyes on her, could sense the sudden tension in his body.
“Did he say what he wanted?” Emily asked, fighting to keep her voice steady. She didn’t want to give Ryan the satisfaction of knowing he could still rattle her.
Her dad shook his head. “He didn’t give details. Just said it was important he speak with you.”
“Important my ass,” Emily muttered, her hands clenching into fists. She took a deep breath, trying to quell the anger and anxiety churning in her gut. “Whatever he wants, he can shove it up his-”
“Em,” her dad cut in, his tone gentle but firm. “I know you’re upset, but maybe you should hear him out.”
Emily’s head snapped up, her eyes flashing. “Hear him out? After what he did?” The words tasted bitter on her tongue, memories of betrayal and heartache surging to the surface.
Emily leaned forward, her voice low and intense. “Dad, I walked in on him with his jeans around his ankles with his secretary bent over his desk. I’ve got nothing left to say to him, especially after some of the very public arguments we’ve had since.”
The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Emily could feel Lucas stiffen beside her, his hand finding hers under the table and squeezing gently. She squeezed back, grateful for the silent support.
Her dad’s face softened, a mix of sympathy and regret etching his features. “Christ, Em. I didn’t know it was that bad. I’m sorry.”
Emily shook her head, her throat tight. “It’s not your fault, Dad. But Ryan made his choice.”
She felt a surge of anger, memories of the humiliation and pain flooding back. The whispers at work, the pitying looks, the nights spent crying herself to sleep. No fucking way was she going to let Ryan waltz back into her life now.
“Look,” Emily said, her voice steadier now, “I appreciate you telling me, but I’m done with him. Whatever he wants, whatever he thinks is so goddamn important, he can take it and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.”
Lucas’s thumb traced small circles on her palm, a comforting gesture that helped ground her. She took a deep breath, pushing the anger down, focusing on the present.
“I’m happy now,” she continued, glancing at Lucas. “And I’m not letting him fuck it up.”
Her dad nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes. “I’m glad you’re happy, Em. Really, I am.” He paused, his gaze shifting to Lucas. “But there was something else Ryan mentioned.”
Emily’s stomach dropped, a cold dread seeping through her veins. What the fuck else could Ryan possibly have to say?
Her dad turned to Lucas, his expression unreadable. “Is it true that you’re his father?”
The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.
But Lucas’s expression remained calm, his jaw clenched tight. He met her father’s gaze steadily. “Yes,” he said simply. “I am.”
Lucas took a deep breath, his shoulders tensing slightly as he prepared to explain. Emily’s heart raced, her fingers instinctively tightening around his.
“Ryan and I… we didn’t know each other until very recently,” Lucas began, his voice low and measured. “My relationship with his mother ended badly. Spectacularly badly, if I’m being honest.”
Emily watched her father’s face, searching for any sign of judgment. But he just nodded, encouraging Lucas to continue.
“After the split, she disappeared. I searched, but…” Lucas shook his head, a flicker of old pain crossing his features. “It was too late. She cheated and made it clear she wanted nothing to do with me. Ryan’s name now isn’t even his birth name.”
Emily’s mind reeled. No matter how often she heard this, it was shit.
“Until a week ago, I hadn’t seen my son since he was about a week old,” Lucas finished, his tone matter-of-fact but tinged with regret.
The silence that followed was deafening. Emily’s dad leaned back, processing the information.
Her father cleared his throat. “Well,” he said, “I suppose that explains a few things about Ryan.”
Lucas nodded grimly. “I’m trying to get to know him now, but…” He trailed off, his jaw tightening. “Whether it works out is another question entirely.”
Emily’s gut twisted. She knew how much this weighed on Lucas, even if he rarely showed it. His fingers interlaced with hers, squeezing gently.
“One thing’s for certain,” Lucas continued, his voice low and resolute. “I have no intention of dragging Emily into this mess.” He turned to her, his blue eyes intense. “This is between Ryan and me.”
Emily’s heart swelled. Fuck, she loved this man.
Her father’s brow furrowed. “And Ryan?” he asked, his tone carefully neutral. “Does he know about… this?” He gestured between Emily and Lucas.
Lucas met her father’s gaze unflinchingly. “Yes,” he said simply. “He knows.”
The air crackled with tension. Emily’s mind raced, remembering Ryan’s reaction. It hadn’t been pretty.
“Well,” her father said after a long pause. “That’s quite the situation you’ve got there.”
Emily snorted. “You don’t know the half of it, Dad.”
Lucas’s thumb traced soothing circles on her hand. “We’re figuring it out,” he said. “One day at a time.”
Emily nodded, grateful for his steady presence. Whatever came next, they’d face it together.