Security rushed forward, but Daniel lifted a trembling hand. “Please. Give us a minute.”
Lauren laughed hysterically. “You promised me there was no baby! You said she was lying!”
I pulled my daughter closer, shaking with anger and exhaustion. “Get her out,” I said softly.
Daniel faced Lauren, his voice low. “You told me she wasn’t pregnant. You swore.”
She crossed her arms. “Because if you knew the truth, you would’ve gone back to her.”
That was when it finally hit him.
He collapsed into a chair, burying his face in his hands. “I destroyed my family over a lie.”
I felt no triumph. Only weariness. “You destroyed it because you chose not to trust me.”
Lauren scoffed. “She probably planned the pregnancy.”
Daniel stood so fast the chair toppled. “Leave. Now.”
Security escorted her out as she screamed about money, reputation, and scandal. When the door shut, the silence hurt.
Daniel turned back to me, eyes red. “Is she… really mine?”
I nodded once. “The DNA test was done. You demanded it during the divorce.”
He flinched. “I never even looked at the results.”
“She’s your daughter,” I said. “But that doesn’t mean you get to walk back into my life like nothing happened.”