Read Online Vengeance (Oak Grove Suspense Book 1) by Reese A Stephens - Free Book Online

I notice pictures of Shayla growing up, then of a little boy. I grab the one closest to me. There’s no denying he’s mine. He has the same black hair, bright blue eyes with the annoying ring of navy around the outer edge that I have. He even has a dimple in his left cheek as I do. My legs feel as if they’re about to give, so I collapse onto the chair nearest me. I look up to them with angry tears burning my eyes. How could she do this to me? I thought she loved me.
    “Ryan,” Mrs. Thorn starts, but I interrupt.
    Shaking my head angrily, I ask, “Why would she do this to me? I thought she loved me.”
    “Oh, sweetheart. She did love you and she tried so hard to find you. We would’ve helped her, but she refused to tell us who the father was. We, of course, suspected you, but she was in the system so long, and some of that time we didn’t see her. We didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize her placement with us. It was wrong, I know, but we only did what we thought was best for her and Dylan.”
    “Dylan?”
    “Your son,” she answered kindly.
    Tears spill down my checks. I’ve never in my life felt so many emotions at once. Hurt, anger, joy, confusion, and a slew of others I can’t even begin to pinpoint.
    “How long have you known?” I ask after I’ve collected myself.
    “Since she graduated from med school, so about six years. She only told us then because Dylan had asked about his dad.”
    “I don’t understand why she wouldn’t have tried to find me. I mean, I get while she was in the system, but she would’ve been out by the time he was two or when you guys adopted her, right?”
    “I think you need to ask her that. She would never tell us what happened. But please know, she did what she thought was best. It killed her not to tell you. I would find her rocking him and crying her little eyes out. It was heartbreaking to watch.”
    I shake my head and halfheartedly chuckle. “Shay was always the stubborn one.”
    Mrs. Thorn laughs. “Oh, that is definitely true and that son of yours gets that from her too.”
    I smile knowing a little about him helps. “Can I keep this?” I ask motioning to the picture in my hand.
    “Of course. Would you like Shayla’s number? She’s told us several times if you ever showed up to give it to you if you wanted it.”
    “Please. I don’t know if I’ll call. I need to get this …” I trail off not knowing what to say.
    Mr. Thorn squeezes my shoulder. “We understand, son. Take your time. We won’t mention it to her. You both need to work through this on your own.”
    I’m shocked he’d do that for me. “Thank you.”
    Nine months pass and I never call. Well, I dial her number a few times, but I never push send. Then one day, I don’t know what made me do it, but I push send and she answers.
    “Hello?” Shayla answers. I’m frozen. I can’t respond. “Hello? This is Doctor Thorn; do you need help?”
    “Dr. Thorn?” I say. She’s a doctor. She made it, just like I knew she would.
    “Yes, this is she. May I help you?”
    I don’t know what brings on my anger, but I lash out. “Yeah, you can tell me why I was never told I was a father!” I yell.
    “Oh, no! Ryan?”
    “Of course, it’s Ryan.” I mock her with as much disdain I can muster. “This is the lowest thing anyone could ever do. I never thought you’d be capable of something so evil, Shayla. You let me go for the past fifteen years, totally unaware. How could you do that?”
    There is silence, then, “Excuse me. I’ll be in my office, but only get me if there’s an emergency. This is important.” I hear walking and a door shutting. “Ryan?”
    “I’m here.” I’m breathing heavily, my adrenaline pumping wildly.
    “I’m so sorry. I can’t even tell you how sorry. I tried, in the beginning, to contact you.” Her voice shakes as she speaks.
    I’ve scared her. Good. I know she had tried; I ignored her calls but she still should have tried harder to get a hold of me.