6
I must have passed out.
I woke up to find Riley sitting by my bed,
looking terrified. I grabbed her hand.
Г
“Mommy, you’re awake!”
Riley hugged me tightly. I patted her back.
My head was still throbbing. I was about to ask Riley what had happened when Ethan walked in, carrying a thermos.
“What are you doing here?” I snapped.
“You passed out. Riley couldn’t wake you up
and was trying to find a doctor when I found
her. I came as fast as I could.”
Ethan poured a cup of hot water and handed
it to me. Then he called a nurse.
He crouched down and put his hands on
Riley’s shoulders.
<
He crouched down and put his hands on
Riley’s shoulders.
“Can you go play with the nurse for a bit?
There are some things I need to discuss with your mom.”
Riley looked at me. I knew Ethan had figured something out.
Ever since he walked in, he’d been looking at Riley and me in a strange way.
I knew he wouldn’t let it go until he had the
truth.
I nodded at Riley. The nurse led her out.
“Why did you lie? Why did you keep this from
me?” Ethan demanded.
<
I stared at him, confused.
“I saw Riley’s chart. She’s six years old!”
“Which means… before you went abroad…”
“Don’t jump to conclusions. It was a typo.
She’s only five. She’s not your daughter,
Ethan.”
Ethan’s eyes welled up with tears.
“How long were you planning to keep this
from me?”
I turned to the window, taking a sip of water.
“If she’s not yours, who’s the father? Where is
he?”
“You don’t need to know. He’s overseas.
We’re happy together. And I don’t need you worrying about us.”
“You’re so cold,” Ethan said, his voice hoarse.
“I just asked Riley, and she said she doesn’t have a dad! She just has a mom!”
“Tell me the truth. Is she mine?”
“Her dad is overseas, is all. You’re reading
too much into it.”
Ethan was about to press me, but I knew he
had the answer.
He just needed me to say it.
<
But as long as I kept my mouth shut, he
couldn’t claim Riley, even if she was his
daughter.
“Daddy!”
Ethan and I both turned. Bethany’s daughter,
Savannah, was standing in the doorway.
Ethan ignored Savannah, turning to Bethany
with a look of frustration.
“What are you doing here?”
“I asked a doctor, and they said you were
here. I didn’t want to bother you. Savannah’s
not feeling well and kept asking for her
daddy. I didn’t know what else to do.”
Г
“Let’s go, Savannah. You can see I’m busy.”
Savannah pulled away from Bethany and ran
to Ethan, hugging him.
S
“I want Daddy. I don’t feel good. I want you to
tell me a story.”
Ethan looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix
of longing and regret.
Savannah grabbed his hand and started to
cry.
“Daddy, do you not love me? Daddy, don’t
leave me, I’m scared!”
