“I need to see Caleb.”
His expression immediately became guarded.
“Caleb isn’t available.”
“Then tell me why he disappeared.”
William glanced toward Nora.
The second his eyes reached her face, something changed.
Recognition.
Only for an instant.
Then he buried it.
“Come inside,” he said. “There’s no reason we can’t discuss this calmly.”
“I don’t want a polite conversation. I want an answer.”
His jaw tightened.
“He knew you were pregnant.”
I waited.
“He left anyway.”
Each word felt carefully chosen.
“That is your answer.”
“I don’t believe you.”
His face hardened.
“Whether you believe me is irrelevant. Take your daughter home.”
For one moment, I was a little girl again.
My mother’s hand was around mine.
William was standing in the doorway.
Angry voices followed us outside.
I could almost hear him saying we weren’t welcome there again.
Then another memory appeared.
A little boy running after us.
Caleb.
Crying.
And then—
His small hand gripping the back of my bicycle.
Me shouting because I was afraid he’d let go.
His voice behind me.
