Adrian looked up quickly. “Let me see her first.”
“No.”
“Elena.”
“No,” I repeated, softer but firm. “Not tonight. Not after she offered you love and you hesitated in front of her.”
He looked as if I had slapped him, though I had only named what happened.
“I’ll speak to my attorney tomorrow,” I continued. “You can communicate through proper channels. You will not come to the house without agreement. You will not speak to Emma until I know what she can safely hear.”
“Safely?” he echoed.
“Emotionally safely.”
That silenced him more effectively than any threat.
At the door, I paused. “One more thing.”
He looked at me.
“The necklace is coming home with us.”
His eyes shone, but whether from regret or fear, I no longer knew.
In the lobby, Emma sat at a small table with a strawberry tart untouched before her. Leo sat across from her, both children silent in the strange companionship of the confused.
Vanessa stood nearby, speaking softly on her phone. Her face was turned toward the window, but I could see her reflection. She was crying without sound.
Emma ran to me. “Can we go home?”
“Yes.”
She leaned close. “The boy said Daddy reads him dragon books.”
My chest ached. “Did he?”
“He said maybe his daddy and my daddy have the same name.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
Children tried to make sense of impossible things by turning them into riddles.
Vanessa ended her call and approached. Leo stayed behind her, clutching the sleeve of her dress.
“Elena,” she said, “I gave Marcus my number. I don’t know what he needs, but I’ll cooperate.”
“Thank you.”
She hesitated. “Leo doesn’t know. Not really. Adrian came into our lives when Leo was four. His biological father isn’t involved. Adrian let him believe…” She stopped, swallowing. “I should have asked more questions.”
“So should I,” I said.
For the first time, there was no competition between us. Only the cold wreckage of trust, and two mothers measuring how to carry children across it without cutting their feet.
Emma tugged my coat. “Mommy, can Leo keep the tart? I don’t want it.”
Leo looked startled.
Vanessa gave him a small nod.
He took the plate carefully. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Emma whispered.
That simple exchange nearly undid me.