Chapter 497

Judy's POV

After how I spoke to my father and how hurt my mother was when I left, the last place I wanted to be right now was home. Nan went to spend the evening with Chester, leaving Irene and me alone with the baby. I already made the decision to spend the night and then figure out the rest in the morning.

"She's been a good sleeper," Irene told me as she cradled the baby, rocking her back and forth. "I'm actually surprised by it. Aren't newborn babies supposed to cry more?"

I smiled.

"You must be doing something right," I told her.

The baby was adorable, I hated to admit that considering she was the offspring of Ethan Cash. But she was also so innocent, and she didn't ask to have that monster as a father.

Irene smiled thoughtfully; her eyes fixed on the baby's face.

"She doesn't look like him," Irene said softly. "Maybe some of her features look

like him... but she looks more like Stella hand anything."

“That's a good thing,” I said with a light laugh.

I lean back on the couch as Irene continues to rock the baby until she's completely asleep. After a few minutes she stands and takes a deep breath.

"I'll be back," she tells me. "I'm going to put her down in her crib."

Gavin had some of the maids go out and buy a bunch of baby supplies; they pretty much created an entire nursery in the mansion. Which was crazy because this was only a temporary arrangement. There was no way Gavin was going to let Irene have his baby forever. He was going to find a family to adopt her, feeling Irene from the burden of this motherhood.

As Irene went to put Emalyn down to sleep, I wandered into the kitchen. It was quiet without the bustling of staff wandering around. I knew Chester was most likely in his room at this hour, with Nan wrapped around him.

I went to the wine pantry and poured a couple of glasses of wine. I certainly needed a drink this evening to get my mind off things. I was emotionally and mentally exhausted and I just needed to have a little girl time. I needed to talk to Irene about some stuff, but I wasn't really sure how to bring it up.

It wasn't my place to tell her that I was secretly having sex with her father. But she was also my friend, and I didn't want to keep lying to her about this, especially because I needed someone else to talk to about it.

What I wasn't expecting was for the question Irene would ask as she returned ot the living room.

She smiled when she saw that I got her a glass of wine. She picked up the glass as she sat on the love seat and took a deep sip, letting out a breath.

"I hadn't had a drink if days," she with a content sigh. "I hadn't been able to with this baby attached to my hip."

I took a sip as well, my mind

wandering. was so lost in my own

world that I didn't notice Irenenoveldrama

watching me carefully from the couch in front of me. Her eyes were narrowed, and her face showed almost curiosity as she tilted her head and took a better look at me.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked me, drawing my attention to her.

"Of course," I answered without missing a beat. "Everything okay?"

She nodded and nibbled on her lower lip; now it seemed as if her mind was racing. I furrowed my brows, waiting for her to ask her question.

She finally looked at me and she took a deep breath.

"Are you in love with my father?"

I nearly dropped the wine on the ground at her candid question.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked her, my voice coming out almost hoarse. She gave me a sheepish smile before she asked again.

"Are you in love with my father?" She asked again. "I know it's not really any of my business... but I mean, he is my father, and I do have a right to know He'd never tell me if he was having a relationship with somebody, so that's why I'm asking you and not him. You've become one of my best friends, Judy, and I

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would like it if you were honest with me about your true feelings."

My cheeks flushed at her words, and I found myself staring at the glass of wine,

wishing I could shrink myself and drown in it.

"What makes you think I love him?" I asked my tone much lower than expected.

She shrugged one shoulder, leaning back in her seat.

"It's the ay you look at him when he's around," she tells me. "The way you are always with him. Even the way your face lights up and your cheeks flush when he's brought up in. conversation," she pointed tomy face, and I knew that she could see my very emotions embedded on it.

There was no lying to her; I was a terribly liar... plus, I just didn't want to. I was exhausted holding onto this secret for so long and it was time that I came clean.