Read Chapter 23: — A CHILD'S FEAR

Eleanor and Adrian found their way back to each other after a guest dispute that nearly became another scandal.

A man checking out accused the hotel of stealing several branded towels from his luggage. He became loud enough to attract an audience.

Eleanor knew from housekeeping records that the towels were missing from his room. She also knew publicly accusing a guest would achieve nothing.

“Perhaps they've been packed by mistake,” she said. “We can help you reopen the case upstairs. There are corridor cameras, so at least we can confirm nobody interfered with your luggage.”

The mention of cameras changed his face.

Ten minutes later he returned with the towels, claiming his wife had packed them accidentally.

Adrian had watched from the lobby.

“You've become good at this,” he said later.

“I learned from a terrifying man.”

“Your father?”

“You.”

They laughed.

Then he apologized.

Not for seeing Victoria. For failing to understand how frightened Eleanor still was.

Eleanor apologized for turning fear into accusation.

“I don't know how to trust normally anymore,” she said.

“Then don't do it normally.”

“What does that mean?”

“Tell me when you're afraid. I'll tell you when I'm still affected by Victoria. We stop pretending maturity means never being messy.”

He kissed her.

This time there was no three-month contract.

There was only choice.

When they told Lily, the child became very still.

“Is he going to be my new daddy?”

“No,” Eleanor said quickly. “He'll be Adrian. You decide what he becomes to you.”

Lily nodded, but that night she cried in Leo's flat after slipping out while Eleanor was on the phone.

“My daddy will think I forgot him,” she told Leo.

Leo sat on the floor with her.

“Love isn't a chair,” he said. “Someone new doesn't have to sit where your dad sat.”

Lily wiped her face.

“Can I still love Daddy?”

“Forever.”

“And Adrian?”

“If you want.”

“And Mum?”

“Probably legally required.”

Lily laughed through tears.

When Eleanor came to collect her, Leo asked to speak privately.

“Don't make Lily solve adult questions,” he said. “She doesn't need to approve your relationship. She needs to know nobody is replacing her father.”

Eleanor, exhausted and defensive, almost snapped.

Then she listened.

He was right.