24 The antiseptic smell of the hospital mixed with the copper scent of blood . My father lay dying , his hand gripping mine with surprising strength . " Marry her ," he wheezed , speaking of Delphine . " Give Aiden's child our name . Swear it ! " I looked at this man who'd ruled Boston's underworld for thirty years . Who'd taught me that family came before everything . Who was asking me to betray the only woman I'd ever loved . " No. " The word hung between us like a bullet . " What ? " His eyes widened . " I said no , Da . I won't marry Delphine . " " Your brother's child- " " Will be protected . I'll ensure they have money , security , education . Everything they need . But I won't destroy my life and Saoirse's for a lie . " " You ungrateful- " He started coughing , blood speckling his lips . " I'm grateful for everything you taught me , " I said quietly . " Including that a man's word is his bond . I already gave my word to Saoirse . I won't break it . " " Then you're no son of mine . " The words came out weak but venomous . " Maybe not . But I'll be a man she can respect . That's worth more . " He turned his face away . We sat in silence until his breathing stopped . My mother found me there an hour later , still holding his cold hand . " He died angry , " I told her . " He died wrong ," she replied , surprising me . " I've watched you with that girl for years . Don't make the same mistake I did , choosing duty over love . I've been a ghost in my own life for twenty years . " " Ma ... " " Go to her . Tell her everything . If she's the woman I think she is , she'll help you figure this out . " I left the hospital with a weight off my shoulders and a different one settling in . Now came the hard part . Saoirse was at her family's compound , in the private study . She looked radiant but tired - she'd been dealing with morning sickness lately , though we hadn't told anyone yet about the pregnancy . She smiled when she saw me , then frowned at my expression . " What's wrong ? " " We need to talk . Privately . " She led me deeper into the study , engaging the electronic countermeasures . When we were secure , she took my hands . " Cillian , you're scaring me . Is it about the baby ? Did something- " " No , the baby's fine . It's ... my father's dead . " " Oh , honey , I'm so sorry- " " He asked me to do something before he died . Something that would have destroyed us . " I took a deep breath . " He wanted me to marry Delphine . Give Aiden's baby the O'Sullivan name legally . " Her hands went cold in mine . Her other hand moved protectively to her still - flat stomach . " What ? " " I said no . But Delphine's still pregnant , still family . And we have our own child to think about now . I need to figure out how to protect everyone without betraying you . Without betraying us . " She pulled her hands away . Stood . Walked to the window . The silence stretched until I couldn't bear it . " Saoirse , please say something . " " You said no . " Her voice was carefully neutral . " Of course I said no . I love you . We're getting married . We're having a baby . " " Your father died hating you because you chose me . Chose our child . " " He died wrong . Ma said so herself . " She turned then , and I saw tears on her face . " Do you know what I was going to tell you today ? I went to the doctor this morning . We're having twins , Cillian . Twins . " My legs nearly gave out . " Twins ? " " And you could have hidden it all . Married her , kept me as the mistress , our children as bastards . Most men would have . " " I'm not most men . And you're not most women . Our children deserve better than lies . " She crossed the room in two strides and kissed me hard . " You're right . They do . So let's figure this out together . For them . "