I wanted to climb the stairs.
I wanted to see their faces without a photograph between us.
But wanting was not the same as having the right.
“I’m going to ask for a paternity test,” I said carefully. “Not because I doubt you. Because the children deserve certainty, and because I need to take responsibility in a way that doesn’t disrupt their lives.”
Evelyn held my gaze.
“I’m not agreeing tonight.”
“I understand.”
“If it happens, it will be through doctors and attorneys you choose. No one from my family.”
“Agreed.”
“No security outside the house. No appearing at their school. No gifts delivered without asking.”
“Agreed.”
“And you don’t get to call yourself their father until we know what place you can honestly hold in their lives.”
The words hurt, but they were fair.
“I’ll earn the right to be called anything.”
Julian walked me to the door.
