“I wanted Chicago.”
“Do you regret us?”
The question cut deeper than anything Chloe’s lawyer had written.
“No.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
She was right.
So I told her the truth.
“I regret that you needed me the way you did.”
Her face crumpled.
I continued before she could misunderstand.
“I wish your mother had been able to be your mother. I wish you never had to wonder why she left. I wish Leo hadn’t learned how to pack a bag in five minutes. I wish Noah didn’t hate thunderstorms. I wish Mia remembered being held by the woman who gave birth to her.”
I swallowed.
“But do I regret being there?”
I shook my head.
“Not for one second.”
Sophie leaned against me.
We stayed on the floor until dinner.
Noah was furious.
Not confused.
Not curious.
Furious.
“I don’t want to see her.”
“You might be asked to talk to someone from the court.”
“Fine. I’ll tell them I don’t want to see her.”
“They’ll ask why.”
“Because she left.”
“She may have explanations.”
“I don’t care.”
“You’re allowed not to care.”
He stared at me.
“Are you trying to make me forgive her?”
“No.”
“Then why are you defending her?”
“I’m not.”
It took me a moment to find the right words.
“I just don’t want my anger to become yours.”
Noah looked away.
“It already is.”
Mia scared me the most.
She was twelve.
Young enough to be curious.
Old enough to understand rejection.
She asked to meet Chloe.
Leo nearly exploded.
“No.”
Mia looked at him.
“You’re not Dad.”
The room went silent.
Leo stood.
“No, I’m the one who remembers her.”
“That doesn’t mean I do.”
“She left you in a stroller.”
“Leo.”
He turned on me.
“No. She needs to know.”
“I know,” Mia shouted.
