A knock sounded, and Dr. Collins entered with his medical bag. He examined Milo, who had been coughing the most, then turned toward Owen.
“He needs warmth, hydration, and rest,” Dr. Collins said. “He has the start of a respiratory infection. It is fortunate you brought him in when you did.”
Relief washed over Tess so deeply that her shoulders sagged. “Thank you,” she whispered.
When the doctor left, the room settled into a strange calm. The city lights flickered against the windows as if trying to eavesdrop.
Tess clasped her hands in her lap. “I suppose you deserve to know why we’re here,” she murmured.
Owen leaned forward slowly. “Only if you want to tell me.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, steadying herself. “After that night at the lake house, I discovered I was pregnant. I tried to reach you, but your family changed their numbers and the staff dismissed me whenever I attempted to visit. I thought you had left Denver, and I was right. You had moved to New York for work.”
Owen felt a sharp stab of guilt. He remembered that move. He had been swept into meetings and business expansion without realizing how fully he had severed a part of his past.
“I worked whatever jobs I could find,” Tess continued. “Waitressing, cleaning offices, assisting elderly neighbors, anything. I managed to stay afloat for a long time. But then the restaurant I worked for closed, and I hurt my back lifting equipment. I couldn’t work for months. Rent slipped away from me faster than I could catch it.” She swallowed. “We were evicted two months ago.”
The room fell silent except for the steady hum of the heater.
“Tess,” Owen said quietly, “if I had known, I would have taken care of you and the boys.”
“I didn’t want to ask for anything,” she said. “I didn’t want it to seem as though I sought you out for money.”
“You should never have had to face this alone.”
Her eyes softened a little, almost reluctantly. “I know. But I did not want to burden you.”
“You never were a burden,” he said, his voice roughened by emotion.
The boys, still sleepy, climbed onto the sofa beside their mother. Jace watched Owen with wide eyes while Milo leaned against Tess, already drifting to sleep. Owen took in every detail. The way Jace tilted his chin with a confidence he did not realize he had. The way Milo curled his hands when anxious. Small things that mirrored Owen himself.
“Tess,” he said gently, “are they mine?”