“I know.” I reached for his hand and squeezed. “You have nothing to be sorry about. From a tough situation came the most beautiful gift I could have asked for. You made my life complete, gave me hope that not every bad thing that happens defines the future. A blessing came out of that darkness, and I wouldn’t trade you for anything. Not even if it meant having a do-over.”

“Do you think I’m like him?” Fear trembled in his words, a fear I had wondered about many times myself. Now I knew the truth.

“No, you’re nothing like him. You’ve got a beautiful heart, a caring soul. That’s why I’m telling you all this, so that you know how much pain you’re capable of causing. With one action you could destroy a woman. But also, with one act you could empower her. It’s all about choices and making the right one.”

My truth was louder than words. He was pensive for a long time. I didn’t know what thoughts rumbled through his head, or how my revelation would impact him. Then he asked me, “Be honest. Do you see him when you look at me?”

My mind flashed back to seeing Geoffrey again for the first time since that awful night. I didn’t recognize him—if he was indeed the same Geoffrey Faust—the years had changed him so much. In fact, he looked nothing like I remembered, and nothing like Ryan. But in the hazy memory of that night, when Geoffrey still had his youth, I saw Ryan’s features.

I wanted to lie more than anything, but Ryan deserved honesty. After all the years of half-truths, I couldn’t keep spinning the web. “Sometimes, yes. You have his eyes. Bright blue. But who I really see is your dad—Grant. You’ve inherited all his best qualities. His intelligence. His heart. His humor. The things that matter most. That’s why I didn’t want you to meet Geoffrey. I don’t want you to have anything to do with him.”

“Does anyone else know?”

“Auntie Mac knows everything.” I wondered if Mackenzie was still their auntie, now that we weren’t friends.

A thought burrowed into me, connecting scattered dots. Only Mackenzie knew about what Geoffrey did . . . and yet Owen had mentioned protecting Ryan and me. Mackenzie may have told him, which wouldn’t have shocked me. Even though I had sworn her to secrecy, she’d always felt obligated to tell Owen everything, even other people’s secrets. Perhaps Owen was referring to something that happened with Geoffrey. Had he gotten involved in some way?