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“He didn’t betray me. He slept with someone when we weren’t together, and now there might be consequences neither of us expected. I can’t punish him for not knowing.”
“I’m not saying punish him.”
“It would feel like that to me.”
Her face softens a little.
“I watched him with Theo all weekend,” I continue. “And I kept thinking about that baby. If it’s his, he’s going to love it.” That one hurts more than I want it to, a quick, mean twist. “He’s going to want to be its dad. He should want to be its dad. And if I make him choose between being with me and being the kind of father I already know he is…”
Jamie studies me for a long second before speaking again. “I still think you’d be better off walking away.”
I laugh, soft. “I know.”
“I think this has the potential to hurt you in ways you aren’t prepared for.”
“But this is what feels right.”
Jamie lets out a breath. “Okay.”
I blink. “Okay?”
“I don’t have to agree with you to support you.”
My throat gets tight again.
“But,” she adds, pointing at me with a carrot stick, “please tell me Simon is at least getting a lawyer.”
“He is.”
“Thank God.”
“He’s meeting with one tomorrow. What his options are right now. What he should and shouldn’t be doing before paternity is established. Expenses. Communication. All of it.”
“Good.”
“He doesn’t want Veronica being able to use the baby to control everything.”
Jamie looks impressed. “Look at Simon making responsible adult choices.”
“I know. It’s unsettling.”
“Maybe fatherhood finally matured him.”
I look down at my phone as it dings again.
A new picture. Theo in the car with a Happy Meal in his lap
“Everything good?” Jamie asks.
“Yeah.” For the first time in days I feel like I mean it.
***
Chapter thirty-five
Simon
The leather chair in Mark’s office feels like a second home to me, even if I haven’t had a reason to be back here in years. He’s been my lawyer since the early days of sorting out custody with Blaire—not that we ever really needed much of a fight. We’ve always agreed on the basics: fifty-fifty time with Theo, no drawn-out court orders, and no formal child support even though I send money her way every month anyway. Most of the time, Mark’s role has been keeping the paperwork ready for if I get deployed, updating the custody agreements so there’s never a question about who has Theo if I’m overseas, and making sure every asset I own, from the house to my pension, is locked in for Blaire and Theo if something happens to me out there.
