Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(85)

“I know.” He’s a good kid.

What is holding Eva up?

I suddenly feel extremely tired. I slump my heavy frame back onto one of the breakfast bar chairs and pull at the back of my neck. I need a stiff drink.

“Have you been sitting there this whole time?” I hear Lincoln say in the hallway.

I look up and sure enough, through the doorway, fully clothed now, Eva is huddled up on the bottom step of the stair.

I’ve never disclosed anything to anyone about Olivia.

She heard everything about my runaway ex-wife.

And I answered Lincoln when he asked me if I was in love with her.

It feels real.

How the heck do I explain that?





CHAPTER 20





Eva

Sitting sideways on the sofa in Knox’s living room, I listen intently to Knox as he unfolds his life story.

I pay attention to every heartbreaking word as he leaves no stone left unturned and pours his heart out to me.

He fills me in on the events that led up to Olivia’s departure, then the events following.

She left her baby.

I can't wrap my head around that.

I could never imagine leaving my boys.

Come hell or high water, I would do everything in my power to keep them.

How could she have left Lincoln and Knox?

I’m not sure my father knows this version of events, either.

Knox bends his head over the back of the sofa. “And there you have it. My sorry-ass tale.” He rolls his head to the side. “I should have told you sooner, but I find it incredibly difficult to speak about.” He runs his hands down his face. He looks tired.

“Timing, Knox. It was perfect timing. You didn’t need to tell me sooner. Synergy is everything. Maybe it was better Lincoln found out about us this way, too.”

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “You reckon?”

“I do.” I lean back against the couch next to him.

Taking my time, I slide my feet on top of the solid walnut coffee table and cross my ankles. “Synergy is when two or more things come together to produce something for the greater good. Lincoln is on our side. He admitted it himself. I think deep down he wants us to be a family, too. Your little heart-to-heart interaction made him see and appreciate you all the more. You weren’t just his dad; you were greater than that. His security, his protector, his friend, and more importantly, you gave him the confidence and the ability to see past the lack of having his mother around while he helped you focus your attention on becoming an incredible businessman, growing the business for his future. You’re the best dad and the best teacher. You taught him how to be a good human, Knox. You were a perfectly paired team. And in return, he taught you how to love unconditionally. Without prejudice. You show no hate toward Olivia in his presence. You ultimately allowed him to make up his own mind about her. When Olivia left, you could have very well given up your responsibilities and let your parents raise him. But you didn’t.” I roll my head to the side to face him. “Now, that’s pretty special. Admirable, actually.”

“It didn’t stop me from thinking badly of her, though.”

“Yeah. But you didn’t think it out loud.” It was so long ago now, but I am keen to know. “Did you love her?” I ask softly.

He fills his cheeks with air and blows out a long breath. “She fascinated me. She was this breath of fresh air. Light. Fun. She never took anything seriously. She lived life day to day. She wasn’t concerned about her education. She had no plans. But me? I had a plan—university, work for my dad, take over the hotel. I was born and raised in that hotel. It’s ingrained in my soul. I found it fascinating. The busy back lobbies, the staff, the people, their lifestyles. I took note and was desperate to be part of that massive moving machine. My goal never changed. Olivia and I were a high school thing. Growing up, experimenting. She made me feel like anything was possible. I expected us to part as soon as high school was over. But the universe had other plans. I did the honorable thing by marrying her. I did think I was in love with her, but I was young. We both were. My parents let us live in their home because Olivia’s parents didn’t have the space. We were good for a while. When we both turned eighteen, I married her, but it drove a giant wedge between us. She felt trapped. As soon as we were married, I knew she had doubts. Sensed it. Three months later, she left a note. There were no frills. It was a simple goodbye. I can’t do this. You can look after him better than I can. No apology. Several months later, my father eventually hired a private investigator. He found her in France. I’ve never told anyone this before.” He clears his throat. “But I hand-delivered the divorce papers myself to make sure she signed them. I took Dad’s lawyer with me. It was the last time I saw her.”

“That must have been hard.”

“It had been a year by that point, so I had already given up hope. She was living with about eight other people in this run-down apartment. Stoned off her face. New boyfriend, sleeping by day, partying every night. Not my scene.”

“And she signed the papers?”

“Oh yeah. At the drop of a hat, she signed. She asked for nothing in return. No money, no property, no access to Linc. Nothing. She didn’t even ask about his well-being.”

“How peculiar.”

“She wasn’t fit to be a mother. She made the right choice for her, for Linc, and for me. I see it now.”