The silence that followed was total.
“We would have told you,” he said quickly. “Eventually.”
“I never thought it was the right time,” Jess added.
I leaned back, still calm, too calm.
“When would be the right time?” I asked.
“After I taught her to ride a bike? After the bedtime stories and nightmares? Or maybe at her next birthday party, when you’d both toast to ‘family’?”
No one answered.
“Look, buddy, I just wanted to be there for her.”
“For your daughter?” I asked.
“Interesting. Are you referring to the one I raised for five years? The one with my name? My eyes? My habits?”
“I didn’t mean to destroy everything,” Jess said.
“I was scared. You loved her so much, and I didn’t know how to take that away from you.”
“You already did,” I said. “You just didn’t admit it.”
“You both have ten minutes. Get your things. Get out of my house.”
Lily’s lip trembled.
” Dad? “
“Honey, listen to me. I love you. I’m not going anywhere. You’ll always have me, no matter what.”
” All right. “
I kissed her forehead and turned to Adam and Jessica.
“You heard me. Ten minutes.”
Adam whispered something about apologizing. Jessica couldn’t meet my gaze. I didn’t watch them leave. I just held Lily in my arms.
The next day I filed for divorce.
We started the paternity test a few days later, but the truth is, I don’t care about the results. She’s my daughter. I raised her, held her when she had a fever, danced with her in the kitchen. She’s mine.
Lily lay down on my bed last night.
“Dad?” he murmured.
” Yes sweetie? “
“I don’t want to play that game anymore.”
“Me neither. I’m sorry, my darling, I’ll never have anything to do with you again.”
He looked at me with wide, sincere eyes.
“Are you still my real dad?”
I didn’t hesitate.
“I always have been. I always will be.”
She moved and rested her head on my chest.
