“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
The word hung between us.
Upstairs, Samuel laughed
again. A moment later, Lily’s voice joined his.
Evelyn looked toward the ceiling.
“They know Julian as their father.”
I nodded, though the motion felt unnatural.
“He’s been there for every fever, every nightmare, every first day of preschool. He taught Samuel how to tie his shoes. He sat beside Lily when she was afraid of thunder.”
“I’m not asking him to step aside.”
“You may not have the right to ask for anything yet.”
“I know.”
She studied me carefully.
“You keep saying that.”
“Because I’m beginning to.”
For the first time, something in her expression softened—not forgiveness, but recognition.
A car door slammed outside.
Marcus appeared in the kitchen doorway.
“Boss.”
Evelyn’s face tightened at the title.
Marcus noticed and immediately corrected himself. “Adrian. I’m sorry.”
“What is it?”
He held out his phone.
“I called Clara Voss.”
My pulse changed.
