12. Twelve

Twelve

Cass

Later that evening, after a couple of hours of shopping at some of the finest stores, we make our way to an exclusive restaurant in the heart of New York City. It’s a place that caters to celebrities, and when our limo pulls up to the curb, a discreet doorman appears. His eyes search the gloom of the interior, and once he spots me, he nods. “Party of four, Mr. Wild?”

“Yes, thank you,” I confirm with a nod of my head. The doorman turns to a younger man behind him. “Cass Wild, party of four,” he murmurs, and the young man hurries into the restaurant.

Stepping out of the limo, we’re greeted by a cascade of flashing lights as the paparazzi swarm, their cameras firing in rapid succession. It’s a relentless barrage, and the night flares white for a moment, the brightness turning the street into a pulsating blur. Yet, through the chaos, all I can focus on is Kendrick.

She stands tall beside me, poised and appearing unaffected by the frenzy around us, her gown understated yet stunning, the kind of elegance that commands attention without asking for it. The sleek fabric hugs her figure gracefully, the deep navy accentuating her blonde hair and illuminating her eyes. Her quiet elegance reminds me of the unshakable confidence she’s always had, as if she was born for this world—even though she chose to leave it behind. And tonight, it’s as if she’s returned to her natural element.

Beside her, Emily manages to stand out, wearing an equally stylish dress, her dark hair swept elegantly back to reveal the striking resemblance in our shared blue eyes. As the cameras click and flash, I catch a small smile from her, amused by the spectacle but holding her own in the spotlight.

Then there’s my daughter, standing her ground like she’s been doing this for years. In her youthful dress and carefully brushed hair, she takes it all in. Cassidy looks almost as composed as her mother, but I can see the childish excitement that shines in her eyes.

Feeling the urge to shield them from some of the chaos, I slip my hand warmly into Cassidy’s and take Kendrick’s arm. She glances up at me, surprised, and for a fleeting moment, we share a look that holds years of history and unspoken words. We step forward together as a unit, ushered along by the doorman acting as security. He does his best to be a formidable front against the onslaught of lenses. Making our way into the discreet entrance of the restaurant, I can’t help but feel an unfamiliar emotion settle over me—Having them by my side feels right.

The ma?tre d’ quietly ushers us through a softly lit hallway. The muted hum of conversation and clinking silverware emanates from the main dining room, creating an atmosphere of refinement and intimacy. It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret, tucked away from the city’s prying eyes.

We’re led to a set of double doors that open to a private dining room. Inside, a round table dressed in crisp white linens awaits, with tall, gleaming wine glasses and intricately folded napkins. Soft candlelight flickers in the center, casting a gentle glow across the elegant setting.

I pull out a chair for Kendrick, my hand brushing hers as she sits, and for a moment, we both feel a sizzle of awareness.

As Emily and Cassidy settle into their seats, I notice how Cassidy’s eyes widen at the setting, her expression a mix of awe and excitement.

“This is amazing, Dad,” she whispers, her gaze shifting between me and the beautiful room.

I grin, feeling a hint of pride as I reach across the table to squeeze her hand gently. “Good. You said you wanted to celebrate. We might as well do it in style.”

After we give our order to the server, Emily and Cassidy settle into a comfortable conversation. Emily asks about Cassidy’s school and other questions in an effort to get to know her niece better.

Leaning closer to Kendrick, I quietly state, “Cassidy seems taken with Emily, but then my sister has that effect on people.”

Kendrick smiles. “Yes, and Cassidy is loving the attention.” Her gray eyes darken as she gives a slight frown. “It’s only been just me and her for so long—no other relatives. I’m sure she’s going to love having an aunt that dotes on her.”

Her glance appears troubled, and even though she didn’t mention Cassidy not having a father, the words hang in the air unspoken. I feel a mix of emotions, so I don’t say anything. Instead, I pick up my water glass and take a drink.

Our food arrives right on time, saving me from having to comment. As the meal progresses, I find myself enjoying everything about the evening: the company, the food, and the lively conversation sprinkled with laughter.

For the first time in years, I feel a quiet contentment—a warmth that cuts through the emptiness fame so often leaves behind.

The plane ride home the next day is uneventful. Emily is with us, and my parents are due to arrive in a few days. I didn’t have the heart to delay them meeting their granddaughter, even though I would have preferred more time to settle in after our return from New York.

As we step into the quiet house, a sense of calm settles over me. New York was a whirlwind, with the frenzied performance, paparazzi, and a side of life I wasn’t sure I wanted Cassidy exposed to yet. But here, in this peaceful stretch of oceanfront, I can finally breathe a little easier.

Cassidy stretches, yawning as she drops her suitcase carelessly by the door, and I feel a wave of gratitude for the simplicity of this place and no one fawning over us. Emily follows her to the kitchen, suggesting cold drinks, while Kendrick heads upstairs with a nod that she’ll start unpacking.

I let my own bags drop and sink into one of the armchairs, pulling out my phone. Six missed calls from Derrick, along with a handful of text messages that can wait. This evening, I just want to relax and be a regular person.

A couple of hours later, the sun is just starting to dip toward the horizon, casting a warm glow over the beach. We’ve decided to walk toward one of the local spots for dinner. I’m hoping for a relaxing, casual evening, which is rare for someone like me.

I tug the brim of my baseball cap a little lower, pulling on the kind of low-key disguise that, most days, works just fine in a laid-back beach town.

We’re about halfway to the restaurant when two girls, maybe in their early twenties, stroll out the doors, laughing and linking arms as they approach us. The taller of the two glances up, her steps slowing as her eyes narrow.

“Oh my God! Are you—are you—Cass Wild?” she asks loudly as if she can’t quite believe her good luck.

Before I can even think of how to respond, her friend snorts, giving me a once-over from my old jeans to the aviators and the baseball cap pulled low. “Him? Please,” she scoffs, looking me up and down with a smirk. “He wishes he was Cass Wild.”

The girls look at each other, laugh, and carry on past us, completely oblivious. For a second, I just stand there, trying to process the absolute absurdity of what just happened. Then, an uncontrollable chuckle starts to build in my chest, bubbling up before I can stop it. I double over, laughing so hard that I have to press a hand to my side, practically gasping for breath.

Kendrick raises an eyebrow, her lips twitching as she tries to hide her urge to laugh. “Guess the disguise worked better than you thought.”

Cassidy’s grinning up at me, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Dad, they really didn’t know it was you, did they?”

Still laughing, I shake my head. “Apparently not.”

Emily chuckles beside me. “See, Cass, you can blend in, even with people hoping to bump into a rockstar.”

“Clearly,” I reply, grinning. “Maybe I’ll just keep the hat and glasses on permanently.”

Kendrick gives me a playful nudge, and we keep walking toward the restaurant. The laughter lingers, and our small bubble of a family somehow feels closer.

The next morning is a different kind of busy, with a quiet buzz of anticipation settling over the house. Cassidy’s humming to herself as she finishes up a breakfast of waffles, and Emily teases her between sips of coffee. Kendrick and I exchange glances, sharing a small smile, both of us aware of how happy our daughter is as she adjusts to her growing number of relatives.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, the screen lighting up with Derrick’s name.

“I need to get this,” I say with a sigh as I get up from the table and walk into the living room. Before answering, I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the inevitable.

“Cass!” Derrick’s voice is tense, immediately getting straight to the point. “Have you seen the headlines? ‘Cass Wild with Mystery Woman and Child’ is splashed across half a dozen sites. Paparazzi shots are all over social media. People are speculating, Cass—wondering who Kendrick and Cassidy are. You know what this means, right?”

Clenching my jaw, I glance out the window toward the quiet stretch of beach. “I’m not concerned, Derrick. Let them wonder.”

“You should be concerned,” Derrick presses, his voice rising. “The speculation is one thing, but they’re digging, Cass. And it’s only a matter of time before someone puts it all together. If they realize who Cassidy is, it will blow up, and it will not be good for you—this will get messy.”

“Messy for who?” I ask, a calm but firm edge to my voice. “You? My fans? Look, I’m not about to keep Cassidy and Kendrick hidden just to protect my image. That’s not who I am, Derrick.”

Derrick lets out an exasperated sigh. “Cass, you’re on top right now. This lifestyle… it thrives on public perception. People buy into the mystery of who you are. That changes when they see you with a family, a child—especially one they didn’t know about.”

In a steady and resolute voice, I grit out, “Then they can adjust to the reality. I’m not going to mold my life to fit an image that isn’t me. And that includes you, Derrick. You’re my manager. You handle the career side of things, but you don’t get to dictate my personal life.”

A tense silence falls between us, and I hear Derrick take an angry breath. “Alright,” he finally says with supposed acceptance, but his voice is laced with irritation, “But just… remember I told you so. It’s going to get a lot uglier than you’re picturing, and once it’s out there, you can’t take it back–”

“Good. It’s about time the world knows what really matters to me.” I purposely punch my phone, ending the call, and shove it into my pocket.

I glance up to see Emily standing there, and she gives me a considering look. “Sounds like my big brother is taking back control of his life.”

“Taking back control? I doubt if I ever had it to begin with,” I say in a dry voice. “At least, not since I signed that first contract.”

“Then better late than never.” Emily shrugs as she approaches and gives me a sisterly hug. As she steps back, she raises her brow, “Want to know what I think?”

I reply with a small laugh, “I have a feeling you’re going to tell me regardless.”

My answer makes her smile. “True.” She gives me a knowing look that is tinged with pride. “I think you’ve found what has been missing in your life.”

Before I have a chance to respond, Cassidy bursts into the room. “Dad! We’re all over the internet. My friends just told me.” She holds up her phone to show me the pictures that flash across the screen.

I glance up to see Kendrick, her brow furrowed as she tries to gauge my reaction. I give a careless shrug. “I guess the cat’s out of the bag.” My eyes stay on Kendrick. “Are you okay with this?”

She bites her lip before responding with a soft nod. “Yes, as much as I want to protect Cassidy from the publicity, I knew it was just a matter of time.” Her eyes search mine. “I’m fine with it as long as you are.”

I grin as I reach out and squeeze her hand, feeling a shiver of awareness run through her. “No more hiding,” I say, my voice steady but charged. I turn to each of them, letting the weight of my words sink in. “No matter what’s ahead, we face it together.”