Chapter 5 - The Ring Nobody Wanted
Vanessa had been silent for several minutes.
Then she bent down.
She picked up the velvet ring box.
Daniel watched her.
“Vanessa.”
She opened it.
Inside was a large diamond ring.
Everyone understood.
Daniel took a step toward her.
“This isn’t how tonight was supposed to happen.”
She stared at the ring.
“No.”
Then she closed the box.
“It definitely isn’t.”
“Can we talk privately?”
“We’ve apparently done too much privately.”
Daniel flinched.
Vanessa handed him the box.
“I knew you were divorced.”
“Yes.”
“I knew your mother hated your ex-wife.”
He said nothing.
“I knew you believed Kesha cheated.”
“She didn’t.”
“I know that now.”
“Vanessa.”
She held up one hand.
“What I did not know was that there were four children.”
“I didn’t know they were mine.”
“You had the option to find out.”
Daniel looked down.
“That matters.”
Margaret approached.
“Vanessa, please.”
Vanessa turned toward her.
“With respect, Mrs. Reynolds, I think you have helped enough.”
Several guests looked away.
Margaret went silent.
Vanessa looked at the children.
Then at me.
“I’m sorry.”
I shook my head.
“You didn’t do this.”
“No.”
She glanced at Daniel.
“But I nearly married into it.”
She handed the ring box back to him.
“I hope you become a good father.”
Daniel swallowed.
“And us?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“There is no us tonight.”
She walked toward the doors.
Daniel didn’t follow.
For once, he stayed where he was needed.
The investigators requested another conversation.
Daniel agreed.
They moved into the library with James.
I remained in the hall with the children.
Sophia leaned against me.
“Are we in trouble?”
“No.”
“Dad looked scared.”
“He probably is.”
Olivia whispered,
“Are we supposed to call him Dad?”
“No.”
She looked relieved.
“You call him whatever feels right when you’re ready.”
Margaret approached slowly.
The children immediately moved closer to me.
She noticed.
Pain crossed her face.
“I deserve that.”
I said nothing.
She looked at Sophia.
“You have my mother’s eyes.”
Sophia glanced at me.
I gave a small nod.
Margaret continued.
“Her name was Eleanor.”
Sophia remained quiet.
Margaret looked at all four.
“I owe you an apology.”
Noah crossed his arms.
“For lying?”
“Yes.”
“For telling everyone we died?”
Margaret closed her eyes briefly.
“Yes.”
“That was weird.”
Despite everything, I nearly laughed.
Margaret did too.
It came out as a broken sound.
“You’re right.”
Noah studied her.
“Are you mean?”
Margaret stared at him.
“I have been.”
“Are you still mean?”
She glanced at me.
“I’m trying not to be.”
Noah nodded.
“Okay.”
That was all.
Children could be remarkably simple.
Adults were the ones who made forgiveness complicated.
An hour later, Daniel came out of the library.
His uniform jacket was open.
He looked exhausted.
James followed.
“What happens now?” I asked.
Daniel answered.
“I’ll need to amend several disclosures.”
The investigator added,
“There will be a formal review.”
I nodded.
Daniel looked at me.
“I’m not asking you to protect me.”
“Good.”
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”
“Better.”
“I am asking for a DNA test.”
Noah looked offended.
Daniel immediately raised both hands.
“Not because I doubt you.”
I watched him.
“Why then?”
“So there can never again be a question.”
That was reasonable.
I looked at the children.
Then back at him.
“You’ll pay for it.”
“I will.”
“You’ll follow whatever process the court requires.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t get to suddenly play father because Christmas made you emotional.”
His face tightened.
“I understand.”
“You earn access.”
“Yes.”
“You show up.”
“Yes.”
“You do not disappear when it becomes inconvenient.”
Daniel’s voice dropped.
“I won’t.”
I studied him.
“You did before.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
May you like
For the first time all night, he didn’t defend himself.
That mattered.
