“Oh my God, Flora, these are amazing!”
“Thank you, dear. They’re my secret recipe. They’ve won all kinds of awards over the years.”
I shot Collin a look because we weren’t here to discuss how good her cookies were.
“Flora, you said you had answers for me. Did you know my father and this child?”
“Yes, I did. The woman who lived next door was Charlotte Oaks and that boy in the picture is her son, Lucas. We became very close.”
I swallowed hard, finding it difficult to ask the next question. “Was Lucas my father’s son?”
She pursed her lips together and looked down for a moment. She didn’t need to say anything. The look on her face said it all.
“Yes. I had only met your father a couple of times. He didn’t come around much due to the fact that, well, you know, he had another family.”
My stomach twisted itself in knots and my heart raced at what Flora told me. I couldn’t believe this shit. My father had a bastard son that he kept hidden all these years.
“They don’t live there anymore?” Collin asked.
“No. Charlotte passed away about ten years ago and Lucas packed up his stuff and left. I felt sorry for Charlotte because she spent her life believing that your father would leave his family to be with her. I do remember an older gentleman who would come to the house to deliver some things to Charlotte over the years, but I can’t seem to remember his name.” She pressed her finger against her chin.
“Denny?”
“Ah, yes. Denny was his name. Nice man.”
“How old is Lucas?” I asked as the sickness in my stomach intensified.
Flora sighed. “Let me think. You know my old brain isn’t as sharp as it used to be. Lucas would be about twenty-eight now. Yes. That’s right because he had just turned eighteen when Charlotte passed away.”
“God, Dad. He isn’t too much older than me and Julia.”
I slowly shook my head, trying to absorb all the information Flora told me.
“May I ask how you found out about Charlotte and Lucas?”
“My father passed away recently, and as I was cleaning out his office, I found this picture and then the purchase agreement for the house.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, but I’m not.”
“Dad!” Collin exclaimed.
I got up from the couch and walked over to Flora, placing my hand on hers. “Thank you for your kindness and information. We have to get going.”
“You’re welcome, dear. I’m sorry you had to find out this way.”
“Me too. Let’s go, son.”
“It was nice to meet you, Flora. Would you mind if I took some cookies home to my wife?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Of course you can. Let me go bag them up for you.” She smiled.
Chapter 15
Connor
“You need to stop at the nearest bar. I need a drink,” I said as Collin pulled away. “And really? You asked her for cookies?”
“Dad, they’re amazing. Wait until you try one. Amelia will love them.”
“I have a good mind to slap you right now. I just found out I have a brother whom my father kept secret and all you’re doing is thinking about cookies.”
“Sorry, Dad. I’m just trying to lighten the mood. I know how rough this is on you. It is on me too. Are you going to tell Grandma?”
“No. She is to never find out about this. I will tell your mother and Julia and that’s as far as it goes. No one else is to ever know.”
He pulled into the parking lot of the Westminster Hotel.
“What are you doing?” I asked in irritation.
“You said you needed a drink. I’m sure there’s a bar in this hotel.”
“Good thinking, son.”
We made our way inside the hotel and sat down at the bar inside the steakhouse restaurant. I ordered a double scotch and Collin ordered a whiskey sour. We sat in silence for a few moments as I thought about how to tell Ellery all of this. I pulled out my phone and sent a text message to Julia.
“I need you and Jake to come by the penthouse later.”
“Okay. Any special reason?”
“I just have something to talk to you and your mom about.”
“Okay. See you later.”
“Julia said she and Jake will be by later.” I took a large sip of my scotch.
“They’re going to freak out. Like I am, Dad. I can’t believe Grandpa.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not surprised.”
After I had another drink and Collin had coffee, we headed back to New York.
The elevator doors opened, and Ellery and Amelia walked into the foyer to greet us.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Ellery asked with concern as she wrapped her arms around me.
I kissed her head and held her tight. I didn’t want to let go.
“What are those?” Amelia asked.
“Probably the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. Try one?”
I reached over and lightly tapped the back of Collin’s head.
“Ouch, Dad.”
“Connor!” Ellery snapped.
“Where are Julia and Jake?”
“Upstairs putting Brayden down for a nap. He’s really cranky,” Ellery replied.
“Collin, go up and tell them to come downstairs.”
I walked into the living room while Amelia and Ellery took seats.
“You’re freaking me out, Connor. You better tell me what’s going on right now!” Ellery said in a stern voice.
I pulled the picture from my pocket and handed it to her as Julia, Jake, and Collin walked in the room.
“I know that’s your father, but who’s the baby?”
I stood there and looked away. I was angry. So angry that I couldn’t force the words out.
“That’s Lucas. Dad’s brother,” Collin spoke.
“Your father doesn’t have a brother, Collin.”
“He does now.”
I heard the gasps of my family, and when I looked at Ellery, she had a shocked look on her face.
“Connor?”
I took in a deep breath. “It’s true. My father has another child and his name is Lucas. His mother’s name was Charlotte and he bought them a house in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.” I cleared my throat for it felt like my heart was trying to escape through it.
“How did you find this out? Did you talk to them?” Ellery asked.
“No. We talked to the neighbor, Flora. She invited us in for iced tea and these amazing cookies,” Collin replied for me.
Julia got up and walked over to me and gave me a hug.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I just can’t believe this.”
“You and me both, princess.”
“Does your mother know about this?” Ellery asked.
“No, and we’re going to keep it that way. Nobody outside this room is ever to find out about this.”
“What about Cassidy?”
“Elle, I can’t tell her. She’ll be crushed and devastated. You know how close she and my father were.”
“Secrets always come back to haunt you, Connor. You know that,” she spoke.