I hated it. Part of me wanted him to argue—give me something to push against.
But he just stood there, taking it.
Behind me, the door opened.
One of the girls called my name. I turned instinctively. “Coming!”
Then back to him. “This isn’t over.”
He nodded. “I’ll be here. My number’s at the bottom of the letter.”
I didn’t reply. I just walked back inside, the envelope still in my hand.
And for the first time in fifteen years, I had no idea what came next.
I stood in the kitchen a moment longer than necessary after helping Dora with the oven. She insisted on baking cookies.
Her sisters were nearby—one scrolling on her phone, the other leaning against the fridge.
I set the envelope on the table.
“We need to talk,” I said.
All three looked up.
Something in my voice must’ve told them this was serious, because no one joked.
Jenny crossed her arms. “What’s going on?”
I glanced toward the front door. “Your father was here.”
Lyra blinked. “Who?”
I didn’t soften it.
“Your dad.”
Dora let out a small laugh. “Yeah, okay.”
“I’m serious.”
Her expression dropped immediately.
