Chapter 40

AIDEN

The door to Freya's room was half-closed. I knocked, but there was no response. I went inside to find it empty. Then she stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a white towel.

My immediate reaction was one of intense attraction. Water dripped down her hair and along her collarbone. My arousal was undeniable. I realized, however, that this was probably not a good time to have come here. I'd be walking around all day with this image of Freya in my mind. That would be a painfully long day.

"Oh, my God!" Freya looked startled when she saw me. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk." The calm in my voice was surprising, given that my self-control was tenuous. It took every ounce of my willpower not to yank the towel away and… well, you know.

"Okay, give me a minute." She grabbed her dress from the bed and hurried back into the bathroom. I, on the other hand, spent that time trying to distract myself from the image of Freya's long, toned legs.

"Okay. Tell me." She emerged in a pale blue sundress that flattered her figure. Fresh out of the shower was definitely my favorite look on her.

Looking at her expectant face, I momentarily forgot why I was here. Gia. Right.

"I was thinking maybe it's time we tell Gia the truth."

Freya blinked, clearly surprised.

"We should," she agreed, swallowing hard. "It's already long overdue."

"When should we tell her?"

"After she gets back from school!" I detected a hint of nervousness, or perhaps hesitation. It was odd; she was the one who'd suggested telling our daughter days ago.

"I'll pick her up."

She nodded. "Okay. I'll be back by then."

"Okay." I watched her for signs of unease—fidgeting, a tight smile.

I moved closer, observing her face. "What's wrong?"

"Huh!" She looked startled. "Nothing. Why would you say that?"

"I can tell when you're lying. What is it?"

She nervously licked her lips. I waited patiently. "I'm just a little worried that she might… uh… hate me for what I've done. Or maybe hate is too strong a word. I mean, she has asked about her dad quite a few times, so…" She trailed off with a humorless chuckle.

I gently took her upper arms. "Look at me."

She did. The vulnerability in her eyes hit me hard. I realized how much her past decisions tormented her.

"Gia won't hate you. I promise." Uncertainty flickered in her eyes. I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, holding her face in my hands. "We'll only tell her what she can understand. I know she loves you more than anything, and I wouldn't want to damage your bond. So stop worrying." She breathed shakily before nodding. She seemed calmer, but I knew my words hadn't erased her fear. She was afraid of losing Gia.

"Or we can wait a little longer." I didn't want to. After all these years, I didn't want to wait any longer. But I could, if it would ease Freya's mind.

"No! No. We should tell her. It's time."

"You sure?"

"Yeah." I studied her face. She still seemed nervous, but also ready. Truly ready.

"Okay." I smiled.

FREYA

"Mommy!" Gia's happy squeal echoed through the hall as she burst through the front door. She dropped her school bag on the couch and rushed to me. Aiden entered behind her. His gaze was warm as it rested on our daughter.

"Hi, sweetie, how was school?" I pulled out her hair tie and ran my fingers through her curls.

"Very boring!" she drawled dramatically, making me chuckle.

"Yeah? But you seem awfully excited for a boring day at school."

Her face lit up. "Because we got ice cream!"

"You did!" I raised an eyebrow in mock surprise.

"Yeah! Aiden liked the bubblegum ice cream."

"And you didn't get me any?"

Her face clouded with guilt. She sat beside me. "Mommy, are you sad? I'll give you my Maltesers."

I chuckled, ruffling her hair. "No, baby. I wasn't sad. I was joking."

"Really!"

"Yeah." That reassured her as she leaned back. My eyes flicked to Aiden, seeking his encouragement. He gave a reassuring nod.

"Gia, we need to tell you something."

"Are we getting another puppy?"

Aiden chuckled as I blurted out, "No!" Two puppies peeing everywhere was already enough to raise Carlos's blood pressure.

She pouted. "Then?"

I exhaled. Here we go.

"You've asked me about your father before, remember? You want your father to be here with you, don't you?"

She blinked, surprised. Of course she would be. I'd made this situation messy.

Gia nodded after a moment. "I do. Ana's dad took her to Disneyland. I want to go to Disneyland with my Daddy and dress up like Elsa." Her lower lip trembled, and tears welled in her eyes. "But I don't know my Daddy."

I rubbed her arm comfortingly. "What if I told you that you do know your Daddy, sweetheart? And he loves you so much." I looked at Aiden. His eyes met mine, and a sense of calm washed over me. "He loves you so much."

Gia's eyes darted between me and Aiden before she blurted out, "Is Aiden my Daddy?"