Chapter 10 - THE FATHER WHO CAME TOO LATE
Alexander met Evelyn when she was three months old.
The visit took place in a supervised family center.
Claire sat nearby.
Alexander entered quietly.
No guards.
No expensive suit.
Just a gray sweater and trembling hands.
When he saw the baby, he stopped.
Evelyn lay in Claire's arms.
Dark hair.
Tiny fingers.
Bright eyes.
Alexander swallowed.
“She's beautiful.”
Claire nodded.
“Yes.”
He sat down.
“May I hold her?”
Claire hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Alexander took Evelyn carefully.
His hands shook.
The baby looked up at him.
Then yawned.
Alexander laughed through tears.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
Evelyn blinked.
He kissed her forehead.
“I'm your dad.”
Claire looked away.
Her eyes filled.
Because for one brief moment, she saw the father she'd once hoped Alexander would become.
May you like
But hope wasn't the same as trust.
And she knew the difference now.
