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Only, instead of receding into hiun to open the doors he’d used to close hie At least, that hat Royce said I’d been seven when our mother had passed away and barely remembered either of my parents before that event

I was off-balance now but did uard e, and that wasn’t allowed in this house, even if he no longer lived here I drew in a breath and sat back inhiesture,” I said, “but it’s not needed”

“I assure you it is” His hesitation dried up, and his voice filled with conviction “I won’t ask her for her hand without it”

I cockedat?

Whatever expression I was , it must have prompted him to explain “You are my son, and you have a say in who becomes part of this family”

Distrust h still water “Yeah? So, if I say no, that you don’t have my approval—what happens then?”

His eyebrow arched “I work to try to change your mind”

That did nothing to ease my distrust “Why do you care?”

“I believe I just explained that You’re my son, and your opinion matters”

I narrowed my eyes “Never did before”

“I know” He shifted aardly in his seat “And I’ to be better”

If I wasn’t so shocked at hearing an apology, I ed the truth But I was too stunned to do anything but si to the stillness of the space between us

The elegant sitting rooned to serve a purpose Its task was to be a lavish display of our wealth, but this room didn’t make the house a home any more than my existence made me part of the Hale family

But things were changing

We’d boththe fa upside It cleared a space for us to build soe

I was less sure

Scared, my mind corrected

My father had a relentless gaze, but it warmed as it focused in on me, and his voice went uneven “I love you, Vance”