Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen

• As Colin sat in the empty room, motionlessly, his chest on fire, he made up his mind. His reputation meant a lot to him, and he knew he had to act fast if he really wanted to keep up with his public image of perfection. He decided he would raise his daughter all alone. It would be just the two of them in their cosy little world. There would be no one to hurt them once again. He knew it was going to be a daunting task, but he was willing to take it up. As far as it meant the shameful little details of his wife's elopement never got out.
• He was still sitting in the room when he heard a car pull up in the driveway. Alice had been brought back from school. He would have to face her. But could he tell her the actual truth of the matter? Colin couldn't imagine how hurt his daughter would be if she learnt that her mother had abandoned her. She was too young for this kind of pain and burden. He decided he would keep it away from her for as long as he could help it. He slowly got up and left them, trudging downstairs, dreading the thought of meeting her. Of lying to her, too.
• He had just reached the bottom of the stairs when the living room door burst open and Alice walked through with Gabriella hurrying to keep up with her as she broke into a half-run then stopped short as she noticed her father.