Chapter 2 - TWO CHILDREN WITH HIS EYES
Alexander approached slowly.
He stopped several feet away.
“Claire.”
I looked up.
“Please don't frighten them.”
His expression changed.
“I won't.”
He crouched.
Not too close.
Just enough to meet the children's eyes.
“Hello.”
My son studied him.
“Hi.”
Alexander swallowed.
“What's your name?”
“Oliver.”
Alexander's lips parted.
“Oliver.”
My daughter hid behind me.
He looked at her.
“And you?”
She whispered, “Emma.”
Alexander closed his eyes.
Oliver and Emma.
His children.
His son.
His daughter.
He had missed their births.
Their first steps.
Their first words.
Every birthday.
Every fever.
Every ordinary morning.
Alexander looked at me.
“Can we talk?”
I nodded.
“Later.”
Vanessa suddenly stepped forward.
“Alexander.”
He turned.
Her voice trembled.
“What is happening?”
Alexander looked at her.
Then at me.
“I have children.”
Vanessa's face went pale.
“I can see that.”
He swallowed.
“Claire was pregnant when we separated.”
Vanessa stared.
Then whispered, “You said she couldn't have children.”
The words struck me like ice.
I turned toward her.
“What?”
Vanessa looked at Alexander.
“You told me she was infertile.”
Alexander shook his head.
“I never said that.”
The room seemed to tilt.
I stared at Vanessa.
May you like
Then at Alexander.
And realized the secrets were only beginning.
