lowing, their laughter echoing from the driveway. I was i

he floor. "Honestly, Ethan, I get a dozen texts from

She didn't mention the cut o

her in, a smug grin on his face. He w

asual, "did you see my boxers? I

, a gesture of fond exasper

ning down the stairs. Her f

ed, launching her

y, swinging her aroun

was "Dad." I was the guy

school project. A few months ago, for Father's Day, I had planted an entire garden of them for her, her favorite fl

and held it out to Ryan.

er hair. "It's beautiful

er. Nicole watched them, a soft, genuine smile on her face

s a long-standing arrangement. The family trips I wasn't invited on. The "inside j

onvenient, controllable husband who kept the be

ulterated triumph. I didn't react. I didn't give him the satisfaction of

n any outburst would have. I could feel their eyes

. Their laughter faltered, replaced by a confused silence. For t