Chapter 12 - THE FATHER WHO CAME TOO LATE
Alexander met Hope for the first time when she was three months old.
The visit took place in a supervised family center.
Claire sat nearby.
Rebecca Sloan had helped establish a temporary parenting arrangement.
Alexander entered quietly.
No guards.
No expensive suit.
Just a simple gray sweater and trembling hands.
When he saw the baby, he stopped.
Hope 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 looked toward the supervisor.
After a moment, she nodded.
“Yes.”
Alexander took Hope carefully.
His hands shook.
The baby looked up at him.
Then yawned.
Alexander laughed through tears.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
Hope blinked.
He kissed her forehead.
“I'm your dad.”
Claire looked away.
Her eyes filled.
Because for one brief moment, she saw the man she'd once hoped Alexander would become.
May you like
But hope wasn't the same as trust.
And she knew the difference now.
