Chapter 8 - THE FATHER WHO ARRIVED WITH A CONTRACT
Caleb came to the hospital the next afternoon.
He brought no flowers.
No baby blanket.
No apology.
He brought a folder.
I was sitting beside Grace's bassinet when he entered.
He looked at our daughter.
For a moment, something flickered across his face.
Then he turned toward me.
“We need to talk.”
I stared.
“She's your daughter.”
“I know.”
“She's premature.”
“I can see that.”
My chest tightened.
“Have you come to hold her?”
He hesitated.
Then placed the folder on the table.
“First, we need to settle the business situation.”
I looked at the papers.
A proposed agreement.
Financial releases.
A revised property settlement.
And a request for me to withdraw certain allegations.
I stared at him.
“You brought legal documents to the maternity ward?”
Caleb sighed.
“Eleanor, be practical.”
I began laughing.
Not because anything was funny.
Because I couldn't believe I'd once loved this man.
“Get out,” I whispered.
He frowned.
“Don't be dramatic.”
“Get out.”
He stepped closer.
“Eleanor—”
I pressed the call button.
A nurse entered.
“Is everything all right?”
I looked at her.
“I'd like this visitor to leave.”
She nodded.
“Of course.”
Caleb stared.
“You're humiliating me.”
I looked down at Grace.
Then back at him.
“No, Caleb.”
My voice was quiet.
“You did that yourself.”
After he left, I held Grace against my chest.
She was warm.
Tiny.
Perfect.
I kissed her forehead.
“I'm sorry,” I whispered.
Not because I'd failed her.
Because I wished her father had been capable of giving her the love she deserved.
Later, Rebecca called.
She'd received the proposed agreement from Caleb's attorney.
“Don't sign anything,” she said.
“I won't.”
She paused.
“How's Grace?”
I smiled through tears.
“Beautiful.”
May you like
Rebecca's voice softened.
“Then focus on her. We'll handle the paperwork.”
