I spent time away from Callan thinking it was what I wanted. Granted, I did need time to think, to clear my mind, but deep down, I knew in my heart he was what I needed.

When I finally woke up alone in the hospital, the first person I saw was Oliver. My father had been arrested, taken into custody. I asked after Callan, but for some reason, Oliver knew that I needed much more than Callan at the time.

He told me what happened. Everything that played out while I was unconscious. Hearing Callan had shot my father, and gutted Hudson shocked me. I knew what he did was bad, things in his past, but nothing prepared me for hearing what he’d done. But when Oliver explained the circumstances, when he’d talked to me for hours about the revelations of my father, Amber, and how she believed that she could have everything I did by sleeping her way through all the men in my life, I knew it was time I cleaned myself up, and made a choice to live, or spend forever in therapy.

Learning that my father was fucking my best friend, I felt sick to my stomach that she could do something like that. All because him, along with Gregory, and Hudson draped her in diamonds and promised her the world. Oliver though, he knew my father was using his position in the senate to do unsavory things, and Gregory wanted to overthrow him.

Gregory’s thugs didn’t come near me again, thankfully, and it was because of Callan following me around everywhere I went. His presence protected and kept me safe, and deep down I knew he did. Even when he wasn’t there, I knew he was watching over me.

I could feel him.

My father was arrested after the video of him and Gregory was leaked. It was all over the media. Not to mention his confession that Callan had stabbed Hudson out of self-defense shocked me. I didn’t think he would testify to that, and when I asked him why he’d tell the jury that, he told me it was because he wanted me to have a happy life.

---

“You’ve always been a daughter I could be proud of. Me, on the other hand, I allowed power to take over, and I messed up. Big time. Gregory knew it and extorted it.”

I watch my father through the glass. He’s older, with more wrinkles than ever before. I was angry at first, but now when I look at him, I pity him.

“I want you to move on with your life. Change your name, leave the city, do whatever you want, Madison. You’re my special girl.”

“You confessed that Callan did it out of self defense because you felt guilty?” My tone is curious, but there’s anger so clear in it too.

“I confessed because I realized something when I watched Callan kill for you. He loves you more than I ever did. And for that, I respect him.” His words leave me in shock.

“Gregory had his thug threaten me because he wanted your seat on the senate?”

He nods in response. “And because Callan had given Oliver the documents first, he was scared to come after me.”

Everything falls into place. I waited for the man to return. To ask me for the information, but he never came. He never contacted me again. I brushed it off. Ignored it. Now that my father is offering up everything, I realize that Callan had kept me safe even when he didn’t know he was.

“Madison.” My father’s dark eyes meet mine. “I should’ve been a better parent.”

“Yes, you should have. But it’s in the past now.”

He nods sadly, but he doesn’t cry. He doesn’t show any more emotion. “You better leave. I don’t want you coming back here. Look forward.”

---

And I walked out. I didn’t look back.

Now that I’m home, with Callan in his apartment, I know I’m exactly where I should be. The wedding is coming up soon, and all I have to focus on is the catering and table settings. Even though it’s not a big wedding, I want it to be perfect.

“Hey, sis.” Peyton’s sweet voice comes from the doorway.

“Peyton.” I rise, giving her a hug. She’s pregnant, and her belly is huge. When they found out they were having twins, Callan vowed to be the best uncle to them, and I know soon, he’ll be the best father too.

“Have you chosen the place settings yet?” She smiles as I help her to the large armchair in the corner of the office.

“Not yet, but Callan wants the black and orange color scheme I told you about.” I sigh, flopping in the seat beside her.

Her laugh is musical as she looks at the two options we’d narrowed it down to. There’s a beautiful off-white with a citrus theme that is perfect. But, they’re all pastel colors, and my amazing fiancé is not sold on them.

“Why don’t you compromise, take the black out of this one” — she points her manicured finger — “and add the orange to this one?”

“And this is why I leave everything to you,” I tell her.

She shrugs. “I live with one O’Leary. I know how to get my way.”

“Teach me,” I beg, and she snickers at me.

“Always.”

I’ve finally got a family. A home filled with love. And soon, I’ll have my husband and our babies who I know will fill my life with everything I’d missed growing up.