Our eyes met, and I watched the realization hit her. The color drained from her face.
"Easton—"
"Inside. Now." My voice was ice.
"Uncle Easton!" Casey appeared behind her, grinning. "I didn't know you were coming over! Want to see my—"
"Casey." Sadie's voice was tight. "Go upstairs, baby."
"But…"
"Now, Casey. Please."
Casey's smile faded. She looked between us, sensing the tension. "Why? What's wrong?"
"Upstairs. We'll talk later." Sadie used her mom voice.
Casey's lower lip trembled. "Is Uncle Easton mad?"
"Go, Casey."
Casey retreated slowly, looking back over her shoulder until she disappeared up the stairs. I heard her bedroom door close.
The moment it clicked shut, I turned on Sadie.
"Is she mine?"
Three words. Simple. Devastating.
Sadie's throat worked. "Easton—"
"Don't." My hands were shaking. "Don't make excuses. Don't explain. Just answer the question. Is Casey mine?"
Silence stretched between us, so thick I could barely breathe through it.
"Yes."
The single word shattered everything.
"Six years." My voice broke. "You kept her from me for six years."
"I tried to tell you!" She stepped back, hands up defensively. "I called. I texted. You never answered!"
"So, you just gave up?" I was pacing now, couldn't stand still. "You knew where I lived, Sadie! You could have shown up at my door. You could have sent a letter. You could have…"
"I was twenty-four years old!" Her voice rose to match mine. "Twenty-four and pregnant and alone, and you weren't answering! What was I supposed to think?"
"That maybe my phone broke! That maybe there was a reason!" I stopped pacing, facing her. "But fine. Let's say you couldn't reach me seven years ago. What about now? What about the past two months?"
Her face went pale.
"I've been at the clinic every week," I continued, my voice deadly calm. "Working alongside you. We've spent hours together, Sadie. Hours. And you said nothing."
Her chin, defiant, tilted upwards. "I didn't know how."
"I slept in your guest room when Casey had a nightmare!" The words exploded out of me. "I was in your house, helpingour daughter,and you still couldn't tell me?"
"Easton—"
