Chapter 30

"Severin, you bastard! You ruined my daughter's wedding because you couldn't marry her! It's not like your actions achieved anything. My daughter will marry Easton anyway!" Helga cursed, still resentful over the $190,000 her family had to return.

Severin ignored her, smiling at Denzel. "Thanks for your help, Denzel. I owe you one. If you ever need my help, just ask." Denzel was secretly delighted. He'd been confident Henry would help Severin, and that was the only reason he'd dared to oppose Blade and Trevor. Without Henry's anticipated intervention, he wouldn't have taken such a risk. Having Severin indebted to him was a bonus; he believed anyone Henry respected would be extraordinary.

"You're welcome, Severin! Call me Denzel," Denzel smiled genuinely.

"Sure," Severin replied. "Dropping the 'Mister' makes it sound better!"

Turning to Diane, Severin grinned. "Let's go, honey. Time to pick up our daughter!"

"Let's go, then!" Diane glared. Only her fear for Selene's sake had driven her to seek Severin out.

A Rolls-Royce was waiting as they exited the hotel.

In the car, Severin saw Diane staring coldly out the window. "I'm sorry, Diane. I didn't know you were pregnant with our daughter, or that you'd decided to raise her alone. You've suffered, and I vow to care for you and make amends. Will you accept my apology?"

Diane's anger flared at the mention of the past. "Make amends? Do you know how much I've endured? Where were you when I was at my lowest? What I resent most is that you slept with me knowing you might be arrested the next day" She choked back tears, overcome with rage.

Severin could only offer a bitter smile. "I was drunk and terrified. I didn't know it was your first time, or that you'd get pregnant, let alone keep the child! I just thought you wanted sex, and never imagined you were the Shanahans' darling daughter!"

Diane was speechless. She'd only had that drink out of despair, pressured into an unwanted marriage with Edward. She hadn't considered the possibility of pregnancy.

The car pulled up to their residential area. As they walked, Diane said, "Making amends is fine, but you must listen to me from now on!"

Severin raised his hand. "I promise to listen to your every word! If you tell me to jump, I'll ask 'How high?'"

Diane nodded. "You need to be a good father to Selene."

"Of course," Severin smiled. "She's my daughter!"

"We'll share a room tonight," Diane continued, "but I'll sleep on the bed, and you on the floor. Consider yourself lucky to have this chance to reconnect with your daughter. Don't even think about anything else!"

Severin stared blankly, then saw Diane's cold expression and nodded. "Okay. I'll sleep on the floor!" He took her hand. "Honey, shouldn't we act affectionate in front of Selene, even if it's pretend? You can't keep that straight face forever. It won't make a good impression."

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