“It doesn’t.”
“Yes, it does. You just won’t say it in front of everyone.”
Daisy’s eyes narrowed. “Amelia. Later.”
Her daughter rolled her eyes, startling Daisy. She was about to pull Amelia aside when she turned, gaze locking on Jameson.
“Jameson, can I go to game night?”
Her ask caught Daisy off guard and Jameson looked uncomfortably between Daisy and Amelia. She was putting himin an odd position. On one hand, he desperately wanted them to come, but on another, he had no real jurisdiction here.
Her pulse spiked. “He doesn’t have a say in this, Amelia.”
“Why not?” Amelia snapped back.
The question landed like a shot. Daisy’s breath caught, her chest tightening. She could feel it… something dangerous brewing in the air, words balanced on her daughter’s tongue.
Amelia’s chin lifted, her small voice cutting through the silence. “I mean, he is my dad, isn’t he?”
The room stilled into silence. Then gasps circled the table. Daisy’s hands shook as her heart pounded against her ribs.
Her nightmare.
This was not how she was supposed to find out. Daisy quickly questioned herself and how Amelia had come to suspect that Jameson was her father. They had been so careful. Was her daughter that intuitive? Daisy didn’t think so, which only left one suspect in her mind.
Her voice broke as she turned on Margot. “Did you tell her?”
Margot’s reply was steady. “I didn’t say a word.”
“Then how—”
“I’m not stupid, Mom,” Amelia cut in, eyes fierce through tears. “I see things. I hear things. And I look just like him. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”
Daisy swallowed her own tears, standing stiffly. “We’re leaving.”
“I don’t want to go!” Amelia cried.
“Amelia. Don’t make me ask again.”
The girl crossed her arms, then glanced at Jameson, as if asking permission to stay.
The betrayal sliced Daisy deep, though she said nothing. Jameson shook his head once, mouthing, “Listen.”
After Jameson’s silent order, Amelia dramatically pushed out of her chair and bolted from the table. Daisy mumbled a strangled, “Excuse me,” and followed.
When Daisy entered the foyer, she found the front door wide open and the sight of a little girl heading toward the end of the driveway.
“Amelia! If you pass that gate, there will be hell to pay!” Daisy called, her voice sharper than she meant.
Amelia halted but didn’t turn.
Daisy’s chest ached as she jogged toward her, harsh words dying on her tongue when she heard the broken sobs. She caught her daughter’s hand gently. “Sweetie… please don’t cry. I never meant for you to find out like this.”
Amelia wiped her face with her free hand, her eyes red. “So it’s true. He is my dad?”
Daisy’s throat burned. She had dreaded this day for nine long years, and now here it was, barreling at her with no warning, no chance to prepare. She tucked Amelia’s hair gently behind her ear, forcing the words out. “Yes, baby. Jameson is your dad.”
Amelia closed her raw eyes and shook her head in understanding. “Then where has he been? Why now?”
