I exhaled slowly. “I’m not going to destroy this little girl’s life. She’s my daughter now.”

Claire’s face hardened. She grabbed her keys and slammed the door behind her.

Three Weeks Later

Sophie was at my mother’s house, excited to bake and decorate cookies.

Across from me, Claire sat stiffly, her eyes darting between me and the mediator, Ellen.

“Simon… I let fear take over. I wasn’t ready. But I’ve had time to think, and I want to come back.”

I exhaled, steady. “You didn’t just walk away from me, Claire. You left her. She cried herself to sleep for weeks. She woke up in the night, calling for you.”

Claire’s voice trembled. “I still love you, Simon.”

I met her gaze, unshaken. “I don’t love you anymore.”

The silence that followed was heavy, final. Claire let out a quiet, broken sob.

One Year Later

Sophie still tenses at raised voices. But she laughs more now.

Tonight, as I tucked her in, she curled against my chest, her tiny fingers wrapping around mine.

“You’ll always stay with me, right, Daddy?”

“Always,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

What would you have done?