“And today?”
Ethan broke.
“When I saw the baby’s back, I panicked.”
“She has a medical condition.”
“Yes.”
“You knew there was a possibility they might need more imaging.”
“Yes.”
“And you still let yourself act surprised enough to walk away.”
“I wasn’t pretending.”
“I was terrified.”
“Of her?”
“No.”
“Of money.”
Vanessa stared at him.
Finally:
“You didn’t reject our daughter.”
Ethan shook his head.
“No.”
“You used her.”
He covered his face.
“Yes.”
Vanessa sat completely still.
Then said something I never forgot.
“I would have sold the nursery furniture.”
Ethan lowered his hands.
“What?”
“I would have returned every dress.”
“Canceled every plan.”
“Taken more hours.”
“Borrowed money from Claire if she let us.”
“She probably would have.”
I said:
