Then one caught his attention. It wasn’t from his mother.
It was Claire. Her voice sounded surprisingly calm.
“Hi.
I know you’re busy. I just wanted you to know our son is here.”
A pause followed.
“He’s healthy.
You don’t need to rush back. I just thought you deserved to know.”
The recording ended. Ethan stared at the phone for a moment.
Vanessa walked onto the balcony carrying two glasses of wine.
“Everything okay?”
He slipped the phone into his pocket.
“Yeah.
Nothing urgent.” And just like that, he chose not to call back.
Three days later, Victoria arrived at the hospital carrying flowers that looked expensive enough to decorate a hotel lobby. She kissed the baby lightly.
“He has the Caldwell eyes.”
Claire smiled politely.
“He does.”
Victoria pulled a chair beside the bed.
“We should discuss something.”
Claire already knew where the conversation was heading.
“The divorce.”
Victoria folded her hands.
