When Love Changes Everything (Linder Family #6)

16. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Mateo

" Hola, mija . How was your trip?" I ask, striving to keep my tone light and casual.

"How could you, Dad?" Her voice is a mixture of anger, hurt, and disappointment, cutting through any pretense.

"Lily, carino ," I begin gently, my heart sinking. "I want to sit down with you and talk about this. Can I come over?"

"You can come over, but I really don’t want to see Lisa."

Before I can respond, the line goes dead. I let out a quiet sigh and turn to Lisa, who’s nervously biting her fingernail, her unease written all over her face. Without a word, I pull her into my arms, holding her close.

"It’s going to be alright, hermosa ," I murmur, my voice calm, even as my mind races with how to fix this.

"She hates me," Lisa says, her voice trembling, tears threatening to spill.

"She doesn’t hate you," I assure her, tightening my hold. "I’m sure your father painted a pretty bleak picture of what’s going on. In his mind, I’m just an old man taking advantage of his young daughter."

Lisa shakes her head, her frustration evident. "Trust me," she says firmly. "Him talking to Lily had nothing to do with what’s best for me and everything to do with him wanting to hurt me."

"Come with me, hermosa ," I say gently. "Let’s sit down with Lily and explain everything together."

"I don’t want her to feel ganged up on," she replies, her voice resolute.

"Are you sure?" I ask, my gaze steady on hers, wanting her to know how much her peace of mind matters to me.

She nods. "I'm sure," she says, the sadness in her blue eyes betraying the small smile she offers. "Your daughter needs you now."

"Can I come over to see you tonight?" I ask, my voice hopeful.

"Yes. Of course," she says, her tone softening. "Mom’s going out with her friends for a late dinner and a movie, so she won’t be home."

"I love you, Annalisa," I whisper into her hair. "Lily will understand, and everything will work itself out. I promise."

***

The fire in Lily's eyes is enough to burn a hole through me. I take a breath, steadying myself before saying, " Hola, mija ," and kissing her gently on the forehead. At least she didn’t reject me , I think, grateful for the small victory amidst the tension.

"Is Noah home?" I ask, expecting to find him by her side as soon as I walk in.

"He went to pick up Davey," she replies coolly, her eyes narrowing.

" Mija , I—"

" Mija , nothing, Dad," she cuts me off, her voice rising with anger. "Lisa is one of my best friends."

"I know, Lily," I say gently.

"I told you to stay away from her!" she snaps back. "How could you?"

"Lily, I’ve been falling in love with Lisa since the day I met her," I confess, choosing to be honest from the start.

"In love?" she retorts, disbelief lacing her voice. "You fall in love so often, I don't think you even know the meaning of the word?"

"That's not fair," I say. "You might not believe me, but I loved your mother. I love you, and I love my grandchild. So yes, I know what love is."

"You cheated on Mom, remember?!" she snaps, the reproach in her voice striking like a slap. "How long before you do the same to Lisa?"

"I was young when I married your mamá ," I say, my voice trembling under the weight of regret. "I made a mistake—a big one—and I’ve paid for it every day since. Hell, I’m still paying for it because you never let me forget it. Do you think I don’t carry that guilt with me? That it doesn’t haunt me in every quiet moment? I’m tired, damn it. Tired of trying to prove I’m not the same reckless fool I was back then. Tired of trying to earn a forgiveness you’ve already decided I don’t deserve."

I pause, my chest tight, the ache in my voice raw. "What’s it going to take, huh? Are you planning to spend the rest of my life reminding me what an awful man I was? Or are you ever going to let me show you the man I’ve worked so hard to become?"

"The problem, Dad," she begins, her tone condescending, "is that you keep coming into my world and causing havoc with the people I love. First Noah, and now Lisa."

"For the hundredth time," I say, trying my best to remain calm, "I didn't know Marian was married. I'm sorry that my life as a bachelor, having been divorced for twenty-two years, crossed paths with a woman who lied to me. But I’m done asking for forgiveness for something I had no control over. Do you understand me, Lily Sophia? I’m done."

My voice drops, low and steady, refusing to rise in anger. "I need you to understand something, Lily. What happened with Marian had nothing to do with you. Stop making it about you. Just... stop it."

The shock on her face is immediate. I let her silence linger, using the moment to push forward. "As for Lisa, I'll tell you exactly what you told me when you fell in love with Noah. I’m not asking for your permission. I don't need your permission. I love her, and I’m going to marry her."

"If you think Lisa's going to leave Cold Spring and move to Mérida with you, you're going to be disappointed. Her life is here. Her new business is just taking off. So, what’s your plan—start another long-distance relationship destined to fail like the one you had with Mom?"

"I'm moving to Cold Spring," I say, my voice unwavering.

She blinks as if I just struck her. She lets out a sharp breath, her face paling with disbelief. "What?" she whispers before her tone gathers force. "So, you're willing to move to the United States for Lisa, but you wouldn’t do it for your wife and daughter? Is that what you're saying?"

"Lily," I begin, forcing myself to rein in my temper, "When your mother came back to the States, I didn’t speak English. I had just started my career. I had nothing except a dream and a burning ambition to build a business from nothing. I had to support you and your mother, and I couldn't do that if I left Mérida. I had to stay, Carino . I did it for you."

"You did it for yourself, Dad." Her blue gaze cuts through me, colder than I’ve ever seen it. "You didn’t love us enough to leave Mexico. I had to live without my father because you chose your career over your family."

"I chose to provide for my family instead of letting my in-laws do it. I sacrificed my time with my newborn daughter to ensure you and your mother had everything you needed."

"I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree," she says bitterly, her voice filled with the hurt that never truly healed. "Because that’s not how I see it."

"Your perception is wrong," I say, firmly. "You’re letting your anger and envy cloud your judgment. And the truth."

"Envy?!" she gasps, her anger flaring.

"Yes," I reply, my eyes never leaving hers. "You’re jealous. Jealous because I’m willing to leave everything behind for Lisa. Lily, I’m in a different place now. I’ve built something—something I can take with me anywhere in the world. I couldn’t say that twenty years ago. I couldn't say that five years ago. I didn't have a choice back then. I’m going to marry Lisa, and I’m moving to Cold Spring to be with her. And to be with you and the baby."

She strokes her baby bump protectively and looks at me, her voice sinking into resignation, "Well, then. I guess there’s nothing more to talk about. When you break Lisa's heart and I have to choose between her and you, I hope you can live with my decision."

"It won’t come to that," I say, my voice filled with conviction. "I will never hurt her."

She shakes her head, her eyes glistening with sorrow that cuts straight through me. "I just wish you’d had that same mindset—the strength, the determination—before you made the choice that broke Mom's heart and kept us apart."

***

"How did it go?" Lisa asks, her beautiful face glowing with a hope that stirs something deep inside me, making it even harder to deliver the truth.

I sigh as I step into her mother’s house, the weight of the conversation still heavy on my shoulders. "She’s afraid I’m going to hurt you," I confess, my voice subdued, almost apologetic. "She doesn’t want to be stuck choosing between her friendship with you and her relationship with me."

Lisa’s expression tightens, but she doesn’t interrupt. "What else?" she presses gently, her eyes narrowing, reading me like an open book.

"She’s angry," I confess, the words bitter on my tongue. "Angry that I’m moving to Cold Spring to be with you—something she says I wasn’t willing to do for her and her mom."

Her gaze falters, dropping to the floor for a moment, and I can almost see the wheels turning in her mind. She’s processing, weighing every word. Finally, she lifts her chin, determination settling over her features. "I need to talk to her," she says firmly, turning toward the hall closet to grab her coat and purse.

"Wait, hermosa ," I plead, stepping toward her, my hand brushing her arm. "Slow down. Let’s think this through."

"What is there to think about?" she asks, shaking her head. "I know Lily. I was there, Mateo. I listened to her talk about you—her dad, the man she loved and who despite everything, was always there for her. And how she wished, more than anything, that you could’ve all been a family. She’s not angry," she says, a flicker of pain in her eyes. "She’s hurt. And she needs me."

"I don’t think that’s a good idea," I say carefully, unable to hide my concern. "Lily needs time to cool off."

Lisa exhales sharply, her frustration clear as she pivots. "Mom called," she says, abruptly shifting the subject. "She’s staying the night in the city at a friend’s house." She grabs her coat before turning back to me. "Wait for me here. I’ll be right back."

I hesitate, aching to reach for her, to stop her. But I know better. Lisa’s mind is made up. I step aside, the chill of the evening rushing in as she opens the door. She smiles before kissing me and walking out. I watch her go, knowing there’s nothing I can do to stop her.