"I don't want it! I don't want it! I don't want Daddy's ugly cake! It's so ugly! I want the fancy cream cake Daddy Patrick is getting me—the one with lots and lots of chocolate!"
Hilary shook her head furiously from Patrick's lap.
"Of course, of course. Daddy Patrick will get it for you." Patrick held her close, his voice dripping with indulgence.
Hildegarde sat beside them, a faint smile on her lips.
In that moment, the three of them looked more like a real family than Wilfred ever had with them.
"Hilary, you can't eat chocolate cake!" Penelope piped up, her voice soft but urgent. "Don't you remember what the doctor said? You and I are both allergic to chocolate. If you eat it, you'll get all red and bumpy!"
"Oh, just a little bit won't hurt!" Patrick waved dismissively, still holding Hilary. But when his gaze shifted to Penelope, a flicker of distaste crossed his face.
Penelope was perceptive. She didn't like Patrick, and he didn't like her.
Hildegarde's expression remained icy. "Wilfred, take that cake away. Patrick already ordered a proper one. It'll be here soon."
Wilfred didn't move.
Instead, he picked up a knife and cut the cake in half. He held out one piece to Hilary.
"Hilary, listen to Daddy. Your sister's right—you can't have chocolate cake. It'll make you sick."
"No! No! No!" Hilary wailed. "Your cake is ugly! It's ugly just like you! I'm not eating your stupid cake! I'm waiting for Daddy Patrick's big chocolate cream cake!"
"Wilfred, do you not understand plain English?!"
Hildegarde shot to her feet. "Take your pathetic cake and get it out of here. My daughter doesn't want it!"
"If she doesn't want it, then she doesn't have to eat it."
Wilfred looked at Hilary, and a calm smile settled on his face. "Hilary, you just said you want Daddy Patrick to be your real daddy, right? If that's your birthday wish, then Daddy will make it come true."
"From now on, Daddy Patrick is your daddy."
He lifted his head and met Hildegarde's eyes. His gaze was steady, more peaceful than it had ever been.
"Hildegarde, let's get a divorce. Starting today, Hilary stays with you. Penelope comes with me."
The room fell silent.
Every eye turned to Wilfred.
No one had expected this—not here, not now, not at his twin daughters' birthday party.
Hildegarde certainly hadn't.