Chapter 28

"What the fuck was that, Sam? You need to go after him and let him know she is not your child."

"I will not do that, Debs."

How many headstrong Harrisons can I deal with in a day?

Someone up there is testing me.

"This is not the time to get stubborn, and this is not a joke. Christopher believes she is yours, and God knows what he will do with that incorrect information."

"So what if I am her father?"

"But you are not, and he is promising you hell. Please, tell him you are not her father. Correct this before it goes too far. I have spent a lot of time and effort hiding, and I will not risk your brother exposing us."

"Why are you even hiding? Is Martin threatening your life? Tell me. I can handle him. You have nothing to be afraid of."

"Samuel… I have dealt with things in the past. It is a dark time that I do not wish to go back. I lost myself in the whole situation, and it took everything to get myself back." Hot tears rushed down my face at the reminder of that painful memory. "I am not about to do it again. I cannot and will not. Your brother is threatening me with that past already, and I do not know why. She is not your daughter, and I am not your woman. It is best to clear things up and end this here before I get dragged into this mess that I clearly cannot handle." He hugged me from behind as we both stare at my little angel who is oblivious to what is going on around her.

"I will protect the both of you, Debby. No harm will come to you. I promise."

"Please correct this assumption or walk away from us." I tried to push him off, but he held tighter.

"Christopher or anyone can assume whatever he wants. I do not care. And you do not have to be afraid of Martin. I will protect both of you from him or anyone."

"Who died and appointed you a protector of Debby?"

"I care enough to want to protect you, and you know I can."

"That is the thing, Sam. We do not need you or anyone to protect us. We have been okay on our own so far until you barged into our lives with your baggage. I cannot deal because I have enough of my own to deal with, and we do not need you playing father and protector until you eventually get bored with this new adventure. We are not one of your start-up companies, so please leave us the hell alone." I turned around and shoved at him to leave him, but he remained rooted to the spot.

"What do you want from us? Why are you doing this? Please, go away."

I kept shoving as tears blurred my vision. "For thirteen months, I have been in complete isolation in efforts to protect my child, and I am not about to throw my efforts and pains away for a stranger I met just a few days ago on the fucking internet. For all I know, we could be nothing but a passion project for you. What happens to us when you get bored, huh?" I kept shoving him, with tears blurring my vision.

He held my arms and manoeuvred us so that I was pinned to the wall and trapped by his muscular torso.

"Listen to me, Debby. I know this is unrealistic to you, and you question it because we have only known each other for a few days, but I care so fucking much about you and Sam that it frightens me. You are not a passion project, Debs. I am in this for the long haul because when I told you, you will never have to do it alone again, I meant it." He let go of my left hand and cleaned my tears whilst staring directly into my eyes. "I am here to stay, and I am not going anywhere, no matter how much you push me away. I cannot stress this enough, but let anyone assume what they want about us. Fatherhood is not by blood alone, and family is who you choose. You are my family now, so Martin or whoever he is can bring it on. He has power, and I have the power to fight him back. I have more power than you can fathom. You will no longer imprison yourself. You are a free woman henceforth, Debs. All you gotta do is let me be here for you. Let someone fight for you for a change. Let me in, Debby. That is all I ask. Let me in, and I will take it from there. I promise you."

A tornado of tears hit me as the full effect of his words washed over me. He pulled me into his embrace, and I emptied my tear ducts all over his chest.

Give it up for Debby, the wailing wailer.