Five years after the divorce, I returned to the country with my fiancée and found my ex-wife cleaning the floor at the airport. I was about to approach her to say hello when my fiancée went pale and whispered, “What is she doing here?” I said nothing, but hours later I opened an old family folder and discovered that our encounter had not been a simple coincidence.

Patient: Elena Marquez Bennett.

Estimated gestational age: nine weeks.

I sat in my father’s chair.

Nine weeks.

I calculated backward.

The child had been conceived before the divorce was finalized.

My phone buzzed.

Vanessa.

I ignored it.

Another page was clipped behind the report.

It was not Elena’s.

It was a note written by my father.

Patricia insists Adrian must not be contacted before departure.

I strongly disagree.

Elena alleges Patricia threatened financial retaliation if she contacts him directly.

Need to speak with Adrian privately.

Dated two days before my flight to Toronto.

Dad had intended to tell me.

I kept reading.

Three days later:

Adrian departed before I could speak with him.

Patricia claims matter resolved.

I do not believe it is resolved.

Then nothing for four months.

The next entry was typed.

Met Elena at office.

Child born prematurely but alive.

Male.

She requests no financial action at this time.

States she has been told Adrian does not want involvement.

I stopped.

Male.

Alive.

My son.