Everett knocked twice before the door opened.
Naomi stood there, one baby balanced on her hip. Exhaustion still written across her face. For a long moment, neither of them said anything.
"What do you want, Everett?" she finally asked. Her voice wasn't angry. It was tired in a way that hurt more.
"I want the truth," he said. "All of it." "Starting with why you never told me about them."
"I tried," Naomi said. "I called your office three times from that hospital bed." "I know," Everett said. "I just found out today."
Naomi's arms tightened slightly around the baby. "Found out how?"
"Paige," Everett said. "She's been erasing you from my life for years." "The audit. The photos. The brooch." "The hospital calls. All of it."
Naomi's face didn't crumble the way he expected. It hardened instead, slow and certain. Like something locking into place.
"I always thought it was her," she said. "I just never had proof."
