Chapter 21
''I was sure that you would contact me'', he said sipping his coffee. ''You didn't say anything back then. It's time you did now.''
''You dare to mock me, Andy? I have lost everything because of you and you claim to be innocent?''
''I'm not, Deirdre. I never said I was not to be blamed'', he declared looking straight into her eyes and she sat back to the chair. ''I found out he was about to go away with you. I was scared. I feared that I'd lose him forever and I overreacted. I couldn't think of anything else. I only wanted to keep him in my life''.
''And what did you gain?'', she asked him and disappointment was evident in her voice. ''We both lost him''. Andy remained silent with his head down.
''You're right. For what I did to you, I paid dearly''.
''You paid?''
''Of course. I lost my brother… I lost you too''.
''I trusted you, Andy'', she snapped. ''You were my best friend. Perhaps the only friend I've ever had. You were true and pure. I thought you were like a brother to me. And what did you do in return? You ruined my happiness. That's what you did, Andy''. He couldn't find the power to speak. He couldn't find any excuses, because she was right. Everything she said, was true and that made his position look even more uncomfortable.
''Deirdre, there is nothing you can say that I haven't already told myself a thousand times. The first one who blames me for what happened, is me''.
''As you should!''
''You haven't told Penny about this yet?'', he said after a while.
''Tell her what? About my past? About the fact that she could have been raised in a wealthy family but my parents took that from her? No, I haven't said anything. From my previous life, I have only kept Patrick. He is the only one who has helped us through these years. But Penny just knows that she has an uncle. No more than this''. Andy was terrified of his next question. When Penny introduced him to her mother, all those memories came back. When the first shock was over though, his mind was filled with suspicions. Was it possible that something happened he didn't know about? He was not prepared to hear the truth but he had to know.
''Deirdre, is…'', he tried to say but he had trouble spelling the words. ''Is Penny…?''
''Are you asking me whether Penny is your brother's child?'', she asked the question he could not. For the next seconds Andy held his breath as he waited for her answer. ''I'd love to tell you that she is. But I won't tell such a lie. Not for your sake, of course. For hers. I would never hurt my child like that''. Andy breathed out shaking. If Penny were Paul's child, he wouldn't bare the shame. Just the idea brought him goosebumps. ''I have no right to tell Penny what to do with her life'', Deirdre said with a serious look. ''If she wants to be with you, I can't stop her. I would really appreciate it though, if you drove her away''.
''Me?'', he repeated.
''Yes''.
''And why would I do that?''
''Because this is the best for Penny''.
''What are you doing now, Deirdre?'', he wondered. ''Are you repeating the mistakes your parents made?''
''Don't compare me to my parents!'', she said agitated but she calmed down quickly. ''What I know, Andy… What I have seen in you, is that whoever is close to you, gets hurt. Your parents, your siblings, me… It's like you're cursed to make unhappy anyone who cares for you''.
''This is not true…''
''Oh, but it is. Think about it: Your parents are killed, your brother had to give up on everything after your betrayal, your sister is married to a man she doesn't deserve and I lost the man I loved, my family, my home and everything I knew before I met you. Does it sound so strange to you that I'm trying to prevent my daughter from having the same fate?''
''Do you really believe that I would harm Penny? I would never do that. I love her, Deirdre''.
''Didn't you love your family too? Didn't you care for me?'', she said putting her elbows on the table and bringing her face near his. ''Didn't you love her?''. His face turned into ice and said nothing. ''You shouldn't forget that I know everything about you, my friend. And it all comes to the conclusion that whoever loves you, gets hurt and I won't let my daughter fall victim of your curse. If you truly love her, as you claim, leave her alone. Don't destroy her life too. You have done enough harm already''. With these words, she paid for the beverages and got out of his sight.