Sin and Redemption

by Cora Reilly

She was a natural beauty with light brown doe eyes and beautiful caramel hair.

make it work.” He stopped an arm’s length from the bars.

“This is what’s going to happen, Maximus. You are going to fuck the pretty doll. I bet you’ve been secretly lusting after a high-ranking pussy like hers. With your fucked-up family history, a cunt like hers is out of reach, right?”

“You’re looking out for your child, Romero, and I’m looking out for mine. Maximus was a victim in this too.”

“That’s some serious sexism there, Dad,” Isa said, crossing her arms. “Men can be victims of sexual abuse too.”

“I want to take responsibility and help you raise the child. I realize it’s not something you’ll want, but we could marry to give the baby a family.”

“I realize I’m not the son-in-law you wanted, but I’ll do everything I can to be a good husband for Sara.”

“There was a point in my life when I thought nothing good would ever happen. Then I was given your mother. Fuck. I didn’t deserve her. I probably still don’t, but I knew she was my only shot at happiness. It wasn’t easy. The circumstances were shitty, and your mom probably shouldn’t have forgiven me, but she did, and I count my blessings every day.”

“I birthed and raised you. I held you when you cried when you were little. Don’t think I don’t see when you’re breaking inside. If this was how you just described it, you wouldn’t have buried it the way you did. Lie to yourself if it helps you, but I can see the truth!”

“I think I’m attracted to you,” I said. In the past, I would have never uttered something rash like this. Maybe it was Isa’s influence on me. Maximus’s eyebrows climbed his forehead as he gave me an amused look. “You think?” I laughed. “It’s complicated.” “I know,” he murmured. “You know what’s not complicated?”

His gaze burned into me in a way it had never done before. “No,” I whispered. “There’s nothing complicated about how I feel about you, Sara. I’m definitely one hundred percent, no doubt about it attracted to you.”

“Both need stitches. Why didn’t you go to the doc?” “I promised to pick you up.” She gave me a stern look. “Your health is the top priority.” “No,” I muttered. “You are and will always be my top priority, Sara.”

“And I want you to know that I will love you every day of my life just like I love your mom.”