I pulled the door open wider, forcing a smile through clenched teeth.
“Come on in, buddy! My best friend! We were just about to eat.”
Adam’s face drained of color. Jess looked seconds from collapsing. I stepped aside and gestured to the table like a game show host.
“Dinner’s hot. Don’t want to let it go cold.”
They followed me in.
Lily was already at the table, kicking her legs excitedly.
“I told him it’d be fun!” she cheered, piling potatoes onto her plate like it was Christmas.
Adam sat stiffly, sweat beading. Jess avoided my eyes as she took her seat. I poured wine for everyone, filling Adam’s glass to the brim.
“So,” I began, settling into my chair. “Been a while. You been busy?”
“Yeah,” he muttered, voice cracking. “Work’s been nuts.”
I nodded slowly.
“Sure. Not too busy to visit though, huh?”
He froze. Jess shrank into her chair.
“What does that mean?” Adam asked.
“Oh, nothing. Just heard you’ve been around. Brought chocolates. Had some dinners. Did some bonding.”
Jess jumped in too quickly.
“He just stopped by once or twice. Lily loves visitors. You know how she is.”
“Just once or twice?” I asked, staring directly at Adam.
“Maybe… three times,” he whispered. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
I tapped my glass.
“Right, right. No big deal. Just a guy stopping by to see his daughter.”
The atmosphere tightened. Jess’s fork hung midair. Adam’s hand shook as he set his glass down.
“W-What are you talking about?” Jess whispered.
I turned to Lily.
“Hey, sweetheart, who’s Adam?”
She giggled.
“He’s my real daddy!”
Silence crashed across the table.
Jess let out a strangled sound. Adam turned ghost white.
“We were going to tell you,” he blurted. “Eventually.”
“It never felt like the right time,” Jess said softly, tears beginning to spill.
I leaned back—too calm.
“When would’ve been the right time? After I taught her to ride a bike? After the bedtime stories and the nightmares? Or maybe at her next birthday party when you both would’ve toasted to ‘family’?”
They had no answer.
Adam stood with his palms out, pleading.
“Look, man, I just wanted to be there for her.”
“For your daughter?” I asked. “Interesting. You mean the one I’ve been raising for five years? The one who has my name? My eyes? My routines?”
Jess choked out a sob.
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