Chapter 7 - THE MORNING AFTER
Daniel did not come home that night.
I did.
My mother and Lily were already at the house.
The moment I walked inside, my mother hugged me.
Not dramatically.
Not with tears.
She simply held me for a few seconds and whispered, “You did it.”
I looked toward Lily sleeping in her bassinet.
“No.”
“I started it.”
The next morning, Daniel was served at his office.
By noon, I had seventeen missed calls.
I answered none of them.
My attorney, Rachel Kim, had warned me.
“Once he realizes the financial part is real, he may become reasonable.”
She paused.
“Do not mistake panic for remorse.”
She was right.
At 2:14, Daniel sent his first message.
We need to talk like adults.
At 2:22.
You cannot keep Lily from me.
At 2:31.
My parents are devastated.
At 2:46.
Chloe manipulated both of us.
At 3:03.
I still love you.
That one almost made me angry.
Not because I believed it.
Because he still believed the words should matter.
At 4:18, Rachel called.
“Daniel has retained counsel.”
“Already?”
“He was preparing before the baptism.”
That caught me.
“How long before?”
“His attorney says Daniel began discussing a possible separation almost two months ago.”
My stomach tightened.
That meant he had been planning more than the financial agreement.
Rachel continued.
“There’s another issue.”
I sat down.
“What?”
“He is requesting temporary joint possession of the house.”
I laughed once.
“The house is inherited property.”
“I know.”
“So does he.”
“Yes.”
Her tone told me there was more.
“He claims he invested significant marital money into renovations.”
“He didn’t.”
“I know that too.”
“Then why file it?”
“To create pressure.”
I looked at Lily.
She was awake now, staring at the ceiling fan with complete fascination.
Daniel had once stood beside that bassinet and promised he would protect her from everything.
Apparently everything had never included himself.
Rachel continued.
“He’s also requesting temporary equal custody.”
That did not surprise me.
Daniel loved Lily in the way Daniel loved many things.
As long as love did not require sacrifice he had not chosen.
“I’m not trying to keep him from being her father.”
“I know.”
“But?”
“But we have to discuss Chloe’s baby.”
My hand tightened around the phone.
“What about him?”
“We received the birth certificate.”
“And?”
Rachel was silent for a moment.
Then she said, “Chloe’s ex-husband is not listed as the father.”
I stood.
“Daniel?”
“No father is listed.”
I exhaled.
“That doesn’t prove anything.”
“No.”
“But Chloe’s attorney contacted me this morning.”
“Why?”
May you like
Rachel’s answer changed the direction of the entire case.
“Because Chloe wants Daniel to take a paternity test.”
