His Discarded Bride: Lied to from birth. Manipulated into marriage. Does love stand a chance? by Melita Joy Page B

daughter, but Renato is my adopted son,” he paused, maintaining eye contact with her. “Your mother and I were in a relationship many years ago and you were the product of our union.”
    Leilani swallowed down the bile that crept up her throat, the product of their union indeed. As tempted as she was to use sarcasm she dropped the urge and tried to stay as neutral as possible. A range of emotions were brewing inside of her, and she wasn’t sure which one would triumph. “Well I’ve been around for twenty-seven years and you obviously knew I existed. Why agree to see me now and Renato, what was your part in this? Did you know who I was when you befriended me on the plane and suggested I come and stay with you? I’m sure you don’t go around offering personal shelter to everyone you meet?” the questions were springing to her mind in a torrent.
    Both men started to speak, however; it was Vittorio who dominated while Renato stared at her, his face impassive.
    “It’s an uncanny coincidence, my dear, that you found each other,” Vittorio stated.
    Renato neither confirmed nor denied the comment and Leilani remained suspicious. “You’ll have to excuse me if I find this all a little difficult to swallow. Having spent all my years living a lie I don’t know what to believe,” Leilani pushed back the memory of finding out about her biological father. She was still raw, and she refused to show how affected she was in front of either man.
    “Regardless I couldn’t be happier to be welcoming you as a daughter and as the wife of Renato,” said with just the right amount of gruffness. Leilani felt herself softening towards the man.
    “Well,” she prevaricated.
    “I’ve only shared this with Renato as he is my family and now I’ll share it with you. You will understand if I ask you not to leak this to the media. Any sign of weakness and they swarm like vultures,” his lips tightened. “I’m ill, very ill. It’s not good, and I would like to pass with peace knowing that I have handed my business and wealth to my bloodline. You are my only surviving blood, and it’s right that you receive your inheritance.”
    “I didn’t search for you to take your money,” Leilani objected.
    “I am not accusing you, in any case this I ask selfishly to allow me peace in my grave. I know you do not know me and you have no reason to grant me my wish yet. I ask that you give this quick consideration. I do not have long, and I’d like to settle my affairs sooner rather than later. Although I wasn’t present in your life I always made provisions for you, so I hope you realised that I still acknowledged you in a remote way.”
    Leilani frowned thinking of the financial hardship her parents suffered over the years. “I was never acknowledged and I don’t understand what you are saying. Please let me think all of this over, as you can imagine I came here today hoping to find out more about you and to connect hopefully with you on some level. Today, well it’s been a lot to take in,” tension was pooling at the base of her skull, and she pinched her shoulder muscles in a futile attempt to lessen the knot.
    “Take some time but not too long. As I have said, nothing has changed. You have found me, and I would like to acknowledge you now with an inheritance. I will leave you and Renato to talk this through,” Vittorio up and left without a backward glance.
    She felt a pair of warm hands slowly manipulating her shoulders. Leilani had not even noticed Renato move to stand behind her. Her attention had been solely focused on Vittorio, well not entirely. She had snaked several glances his way, but she could read nothing. She had no clue how he was feeling about all of this and whether or not he honestly didn’t know.
    “We need to talk,” he stated.
    Well, that much was clearly apparent. She still needed answers. “I’m still doubtful that you knew nothing of Vittorio being my father. I’m sorry, but this just doesn’t make