“As I said,” I continued, “Triston already sensed you might be someone important. I caught the hint when he mentioned that you two look alike.”
“Oh…” Ashton exhaled softly.
“I just told him yes, you do look alike. After that, he went quiet. He’s a smart boy. I believe he already knows. So once I’m back, you should get your lawyer ready. I’ll do the same, and we’ll sort out the custody agreement properly. I don’t want you left wondering where you stand. Let’s make this legal.”
“Thank you, Bailey,” he said quietly. “For giving me the chance to be his father. I know you still can’t forgive me for my mistakes, but I hope one day you will.”
He was right. I had not told him I forgave him.
I was not sure why I kept holding back, even though I kept saying I had moved on. Maybe I just needed more time. Some wounds did not disappear because of a single conversation. Years of heartache could not be erased with a few words. I needed to see that he was capable of being a good father before I could say them.
“I’ve got something for you.”
Ashton reached into the car and handed me a document.
“What’s this?”
“It’s the deed to your family house,” he said. “I bought it and transferred it back under your name.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because it was always yours,” he replied. “I want you to have it. So when you come back, hopefully soon, Tristan will have a place to call home.”
The words tightened my chest. I missed the house, but I was not sure I could live there again. It still held too many memories of my mother and my brother, echoes of a family that once felt whole.
“I don’t know, Ashton. This is too much.”
“You don’t have to live there if you don’t want to,” he said gently. “Just keep it.” He hesitated. “And don’t get mad, but I’ve already arranged for some refurbishment. The place is old. Consider it my contribution for the years I wasn’t there for our son.”
I was about to argue when a car pulled up and stopped in front of us. The door opened, and Amelie stepped out. This time, she looked hesitant, almost fragile.
“I’ll give you some space,” Ashton said quietly, already turning toward my car to check that my bags were secure.
“I was hoping to catch you before you left,” Amelie said.
“What can I do for you, Amelie?” I asked evenly. “If this is about my father, I’ve already cut ties with him. You don’t need to worry.”
“That’s the thing, Bailey.” Her voice wavered. “When I asked you to stay out of his life, I never thought about the consequences of my actions. I was selfish. After he came back from seeing you, he changed. He looks lost. He shut himself off from me and from my sons. Then he started drinking. A lot. I don’t know what to do.”
She looked genuinely distressed, and despite myself, I felt a flicker of sympathy. Still, I did not understand what she expected from me.
“If you’re here to blame me for his behavior,” I said firmly, “let me be clear. This is not my fault.”
“No, no, you misunderstand,” she said quickly. “I’m not blaming you. I need your help. I need you to talk to him. I think he’s like this because he lost the last connection to his past. I’m willing to accept you into our family if that’s what it takes.”
Her words sounded like a plea, but beneath them was resignation. As if I were a burden she was prepared to tolerate for the sake of saving her marriage.
“I appreciate your willingness to be considerate,” I said, a hint of sarcasm slipping through, “but I have to decline.”
Her face fell.
“My father is a weak man,” I continued quietly. “Every time he loses someone, he self destructs. And without realizing it, he hurts the people who love him by withdrawing emotionally.”
“Bailey, please,” she said. “You’re wrong. I truly want us to be a family. We can make this work.”
She sounded sincere, but it was not enough.
“I need to go now,” I said. “If I want to make it home before nightfall, I should leave. I wish you the best, Amelie. Truly. And one piece of advice. If you want to save your marriage, be strong. Fight for him. Demand his attention. Get help. Don’t be like my mother, who was so lost in her grief that she stopped caring about her marriage altogether. They were both at fault.”
