Page 296 of Sweet Nightmare

Straight to the point.

I respect that.

I lean forward, resting my forearms against my knees.

“I came because I owe both of you an apology.”

Neither interrupts.

“The photographs and video never should have happened. I should have protected her privacy better, and I know how quickly something like that turns into a circus once the media gets involved. I know what people are saying about her, about me, and about whatever the hell they think is happening between us.”

I pause.

“I’m sorry she was caught up in that.”

Andrea gives me a small smile.

“The world has always talked about Artemis.”

Lucan nods.

“They talked when she won. They talked when she lost. They talked when she punched another skater.”

I almost smile.

“They’ll keep talking after we’re all gone,” he adds with a shrug. “The world is noisy.”

That tells me everything I need to know about how much power headlines actually have over this family.

Still, I’m not finished.

“Even so, I wanted to apologize to you both.”

Lucan studies me.

“Is that why you’re here?”

“No.”

“What else?”

There it is.

The real reason.

I take a slow breath and look between them.

“I’m here because your daughter has completely ruined my life.”

Andrea blinks.

Lucan remains perfectly expressionless.

I laugh quietly. “Not in a bad way.”

“That remains to be determined,” Lucan says.

I laugh again before looking down at my hands.