Chapter 37

Lionel

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We stood facing each other, her hands wrapped around her form to curb the cold. She needed a change of clothes and something hot to heat her body.

“You should get warm first before we can talk. Is that okay with you?”

She nodded and I asked her to follow me but she didn’t, her eyes remained glued on the door.

“What about her? She can't go anywhere with this downpour and the terrible roads.”

I sighed. The thought hadn’t crossed my mind and as if on cue, Leslie started banging on the door. I drew in breath, It was funny how things could go downhill so rapidly. Just moments ago, we were so carefree and happy that I wouldn’t have believed it if anyone were to tell me this would happen.

Could Shannon accept and trust me after this? I only hoped she would understand. She was never one to be quick to judge, it was probably why she didn’t bolt the minute my reality set in.

“You should let her in at least for the night.” I couldn’t mask my surprise at her request. She cared for someone she didn’t even know. Not to forget the treatment she received from Leslie, it was enough to hinder her from worrying about her safety yet it didn’t. I could see why I longed to be with her.

“You’re too kind, thank you.” I reached out to squeeze her hand. She didn’t react. Her face was blank and I could barely tell what was running through her mind.

I unlocked the door to find Leslie fuming with rage. She was lucky for the porch otherwise she would be dripping wet. Her gaze moved from me to Shannon and back. “You locked me out because of some whore?”

I wanted to slam the door so hard she would never come back but Shannon shook her head and I loosened my grip on it. “Are you coming in or not? And for the record, she requested I take you in so you either show her some respect or fuck off,” I whispered through gritted teeth.

I didn’t want Claire to overhear me swear nor argue with her mother. As much as I disliked Leslie’s guts, I never let it show in the presence of our daughter. I wanted her to grow to respect her mother regardless of her shortcomings. Most importantly, I wanted her to grow in a safe environment with admirable virtues.

She gaped at us, opening and closing her mouth a few times before zooming off to Claire’s room. If she dared to poison Claire’s mind with untruths or hatred towards Shannon, she would regret it. I was done entertaining her rubbish.

I guided Shannon to my room and showed her around so she would know what to do whenever she needed something. Leaving her to her shower, I trudged to the guest room and started my bath as well. Once I was clad in warm clothing, I went downstairs to prepare Shannon a cup of coffee and toast.

It sure was weird knocking on my bedroom door. Her soft voice echoed to me and I pushed the door open with my free hand. She was sat on the bed, donned in my baggy clothes but still looked as gorgeous as ever.

“I’m sure you need this.” I handed her the cup of coffee which she received and immediately took sips. “It was the fastest I could prepare. Do you want anything else? I would love to make you dinner.”

She shook her head and gave me a thumbs-up before clasping her mug tight and taking more sips. I couldn’t tell if she was upset and didn’t want to speak to me or she was just cold and needed to heat herself up. Her hand stretched towards the jug I was holding, the mug was empty. I hastily filled it, a smile on my face as she downed it.

The silence between us stretched and I didn't t like it. I gaudily cleared my throat, an unsuccessful attempt to calm my nerves as the matter I yearned to discuss was not child’s play.

“Is it okay if we talk about my situation right now?”

She nodded, getting comfortable on the bed and throwing the blanket over her body. I eased myself on the sofa beside her, racking my brain for where to begin.

“She’s the important person I wanted you to meet. I wasn’t hiding her, I just didn’t know the right time to introduce her,” I started, weighing my words as I didn’t want to upset her more than she already was. I had myself to blame for not informing her from the very beginning.

“What’s her name?”

A smile etched to my lips. “Claire Adams. She made me the man I am today.”

“She’s beautiful. An actual photocopy of you,” she said, propping her chin on her hand. “How old were you when you had her?”

Her question had my past rushing back in at lightning speed. Leslie and I attended the same schools and belonged to the same social status. We would bump into each other at events held incessantly and it wasn’t long before we took interest in each other.

The news of her pregnancy put my life at a standstill. I was devastated when I learned of the heinous way Claire was conceived. Months came and went before I could fully adjust to being a father and embrace it.

“Wow! I’m at loss for words, honestly.” She cupped her chin, lost in her world of thought.

“I’m thankful to have her, she’s such an amazing child.” I joined her on the bed and when she didn’t protest, I interlocked our fingers. “I’m sorry I kept this from you. I should have been transparent from the onset.”

A small smile spread on her lips as she nodded. I could tell she was still disgruntled and I wanted to make it up to her. The only problem was I didn’t have the slightest idea of how to do that.

“I can’t judge you based on stuff that happened when you were just but a teenager. What she did was wrong on so many levels. I still can’t grasp why some women think getting pregnant will keep a man. More so when done in such an uncanny manner. She is lucky you didn’t put her behind bars.”

My heart swelled at her words, it gave me hope that we could still build a relationship. “I considered filing a case against her but couldn’t get myself to do it. Solely because of Claire.”

“Yeah, I figured. You did the right thing. This is one of the cases where you have to overlook hurtful situations to protect the people you love.” She palmed my cheek. “Have you healed from it?”

I no longer felt the resentment I had years ago. I guess it had something to do with the love I had for Claire. “My healing process was slow but effective.”

Her orbs stared deep into mine as she said, “I want you to know that this doesn’t change anything. I would like to get to know Claire when the time is right.”

Overcome by emotions, I pulled her in for a hug, pecking her forehead repeatedly. “Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me. I love you.”