Daniel ran a hand through his hair.

“I didn’t mean that.”

“You meant it enough to divorce me.”

“I thought…” His voice faltered. “I thought you lost the baby.”

The words hit Olivia like a slap.

“What?”

“My fiancée told me,” Daniel said quickly. “She said you weren’t pregnant anymore. That you miscarried after the divorce.”

Olivia felt her stomach twist.

“Your fiancée lied.”

Daniel’s face darkened.

“You’re serious?”

“Congratulations,” Olivia said coldly.

The baby shifted again.

Daniel looked down at her, and something dangerous appeared in his expression.

Hope.

“When was she born?” he asked carefully.

“This morning.”

“And you never told anyone?”

“You made it clear you didn’t want to be a father.”

Daniel swallowed.

“I didn’t want to be forced into it.”

“I wasn’t forcing you.”

“You said the baby would change everything.”

“Because it did.”

He stared at the baby again.

Finally he asked quietly,

“What’s her name?”

Olivia hesitated.

Then she said it.

“Grace.”

Daniel repeated the name softly.

“Grace.”

His voice cracked.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Olivia said.

Instead of answering, Daniel pulled out his phone.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

He looked at the screen.

Then said something she never expected.

“I’m canceling the wedding.”

The room went completely still.

Olivia blinked.

“What?”

“I’m not marrying someone who lied about my child.”

Margaret crossed her arms.

“How convenient.”

Daniel ignored her.

“You should have told me.”

Olivia’s chest tightened.

“I tried.”

“When?”

“Three months after the divorce. I sent you a letter.”

Daniel frowned.

“What letter?”

“The one saying the baby was healthy. The one asking if you wanted to be involved.”

Daniel slowly shook his head.

“I never got it.”

Olivia’s stomach dropped.

“You’re saying it vanished?”

“My fiancée handles my mail.”

The realization spread through the room like ice water.

Olivia whispered,

“You’re kidding.”

Daniel’s jaw tightened.

“No.”

He looked down at Grace again.

“I missed everything.”

The words sounded broken.

Minutes passed in silence.

Finally Olivia asked,

“Why did you really come here?”

Daniel met her eyes.

“I didn’t believe you.”

“When you said you’d just given birth, something felt wrong.”

“So you came running here?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He hesitated.

Then admitted quietly,

“Because if there was even a chance the baby was mine… I needed to know before marrying someone else.”

Olivia exhaled slowly.

Thunder rumbled faintly outside.

Daniel looked back at the tiny sleeping girl.