“Adrian and I tried for years.”
“I know.”
“He came to every appointment.”
“Apparently, he already knew.”
Emma pressed both hands against the table.
A terrible understanding began forming.
Adrian had known he could not father children.
Yet when Emma became pregnant, he had celebrated publicly.
He had kissed her belly for cameras.
He had decorated a nursery.
He had acted as though Grace were his miracle.
Why?
Margaret sat down slowly.
“When Adrian was fourteen, he became very ill,” she whispered. “The doctors told us there might be complications later. He never wanted to discuss it.”
Emma turned toward her.
“Did you know he was infertile?”
“No. I swear to you.”
Daniel picked up another report.
“Northbridge searched the identity of the biological father.”
Emma felt the room tilt.
“That is impossible.”
Daniel looked at her with concern.
“Emma, who else could be Grace’s father?”
“No one.”
Margaret’s eyes filled with uncertainty.
Emma’s voice rose.
“I have never been with another man.”
“I believe you,” Daniel said.
“Then how could—”
Grace began crying.
Emma crossed the room and lifted her daughter, holding her close as though someone might take her.
The phone rang.
It was Adrian.
She almost ignored it.
Then she answered.
“You knew,” she said.
There was silence on the line.
“You knew you could not have children.”
Another pause.
Finally, Adrian spoke.
“Yes.”
