Page 98 of The Fiancé Hoax

But my declaration just made Marsh angrier. He glared at me and took a step forward.

“You're selfish, Cooper. You're trying to tie down my twenty-six-year-old daughter when she's in a completely different phase of life from you. This isn’t about love. You just want to give your kids a ready-made mother and make your own life easier.”

My mouth fell open. I was stunned at his accusations. “No, that's not it at all.”

“If you really loved Felicity, you wouldn't treat her this way. You wouldn't use her to keep your kids. You would give her freedom to live her life on her own terms. You just want to tie her down.”

I stood there staring at him. I was speechless.

I knew I loved Felicity. I didn't doubt my feelings for her. I cared for her as she was. I wasn't interested in her just because she would make a good mother for my children.

I was in love with her. I’d fought against it all this time, but I couldn't deny it anymore.

But maybe Marsh was partly right. Perhaps I was doing the wrong thing by trying to tie her down.

Maybe she deserved to start a family of her own with someone her age.

More to the point, maybe I didn't deserve someone like Felicity.

Marsh and I stared at each other, each waiting for the other to make the next move.

Finally Marsh spoke. “But I guess it's too late for all this, anyway.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He drew a breath, as if reluctant to tell me something more. We both looked up to see Felicity walk in the room.

“Dad, I think it's time for you to leave.”

Marsh looked between her and me. He seemed to want to say something more, but he clamped his mouth shut.

With one last glare at me, he stalked out of the room. Moments later, I heard Monica close the front door behind him.

I crossed the space to take Felicity into my arms. I held her for a long moment, and she rested her head against my chest.

“Is he going to expose us to the judge?” she asked.

“He hasn't made up his mind yet.”

She sighed. “I guess he's going to do some careful consideration,” she said sarcastically.

“Yeah. It sounds like he could go either way.”

After a moment, she looked up at me.

“I'm sorry my father is butting into our business.”

I gave her a wan smile. “Marsh has always been a control freak.”

She chuckled. “You should have seen him in his thirties. He had to micromanage everything in the house when I was a kid.” She looked down, sadness crossing her face. “I don't know how Mom put up with it.”

I caressed her cheek. “Maybe his redeeming qualities made up for it.”

She nodded slowly. “I guess so. As much as he drives me crazy, he does have a caring side. He just doesn't show it much.”

“I know. He does want the best for you, Felicity. He cares about you. He just… has a strange way of showing it.”

“Yeah. Like trying to control who I spend my time with.”