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It’s been a while since I've driven myself, but I don’t want my driver to know what’s happening between Kaitlin and me, so I had to drive myself here.
When she finally walks out, her face is filled with surprise when she sees me. “Leonardo? What are you doing here?” she asks.
“I need to talk to you, Kaitlin,” I say, my voice steady but my heart racing. “Please, let me explain everything.”
She studies me for a moment, then nods. “Fine, I’m listening.”
I hold the passenger’s door open, and she gets in. Once we’re both seated in the car, I inhale deeply before speaking. “If you Google my name, Leonardo Sinclair,” I begin, my voice low. “You’ll see…”
“I already googled you. Last night. It was all Bianca’s idea. I had no idea I could have done that all this time.”
I’m shocked she already knows, yet she still agrees to talk to me. “And yet, you’re still here,” I say, my voice filled with wonder and a hint of disbelief.
She nods, her gaze steady and unwavering. “I’m not concerned about what I read, Leonardo. I want to hear it from you.”
I take a deep breath, preparing to go into the painful memories I’ve kept buried for so long. “When I was young, my younger sister Lucia—she’s two years younger than me—and I was always left home alone with our nanny. Our parents never really wanted children. My late grandfather had insisted they have an heir, so they had me. Lucia came as a mistake.”
Kaitlin’s eyes widen slightly, but she stays silent, letting me continue.
“Our parents were always away on trips, leaving us behind. One day, while we were playing, our nanny was on the phone, and we wandered into our father’s study. We found his gun. It was just lying there like a toy waiting for us to find it.”
I pause, my throat tightening as the memory resurfaces with brutal clarity. “We didn’t know any better. I was six, and Lucia was four.
“We were just kids, curious and unaware of the danger. While we were playing with it, the gun went off. It was loaded. The bullet hit Lucia in the spine.”
Kaitlin gasps softly, her hand flying to her mouth. I see the horror and sympathy in her eyes, but she still listens intently, not interrupting.
“The doctors said she’d never walk again,” I continue, my voice breaking. “My parents blamed me. They said I should have known better, should have protected her. And they’re right.”
Tears well up in Kaitlin’s eyes, and she reaches out, taking my hand in hers. “How could you? You were only a child.”
“Our relationship with our parents wasn’t so good, but after that day, it became unbearable. They grew colder, more distant. My father focused solely on the family business, and my mother barely acknowledged my existence.”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I’ve carried that guilt with me all my life, Kaitlin. That’s why I’ve kept you at arm’s length and been so afraid to let you in. Because I’m scared I’d lose you after you get to know this side of me.”
She squeezes my hand, her expression filled with determination and love. “Thank you for telling me, Leonardo. I can’t imagine how hard that was for you. But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. You’re not losing me.”
I feel a wave of relief wash over me, and for the first time in years, I feel like I can breathe again. “I don’t deserve you, Kaitlin.”
She shakes her head, smiling through her tears. “We all have our pasts, Leonardo. You’re not alone anymore.”
I hug her tightly, holding her close because she’s the anchor that keeps me from drifting away.
Epilogue
Kaitlin
My heart beats fast as we sit in the back of the car taking us to Lucia’s place. We arrived in Toronto last night and are now headed to Lucia’s for her baby’s christening. She had a baby girl three months ago.
It’s my first time in the city and my first time meeting his family. After the acquisition, Leonardo stayed back in New York to head the new company. “You’re going to love Lucia,” Leonardo says, smiling and giving my hand a squeeze as we drive into a Victorian-style house. “She’s been looking forward to meeting you.”
We’ve spoken a few times over the phone; she’s always warm, and I can’t wait to meet her, too. We step out of the car, and Leonardo rings the doorbell. A moment later, the door swings open, and we’re greeted by the housekeeper who lets us in.
I see Lucia’s beaming face as she wheels herself to meet us. Her dark hair is pulled back in a stylish bun, and she looks radiant. “Leonardo,” she says, smiling so wide. “Hi, Kaitlin,” she says, turning to me and holding out her arms wide.
“Hi, Lucia.” I bend down, giving her a hug. “It’s so nice meeting you in person,” I say.
“The pleasure is all mine; thanks for coming,” she says as we pull away from our hug.
