“Nothing is happening between Dakota and me.”
I looked at him carefully.
“I didn’t ask about Dakota.”
His face changed.
And suddenly, I understood that the two things might be connected.
“Is Dakota involved with the child whose medical bills you’ve been paying?”
“Jennifer, you’re misunderstanding.”
“Then explain it.”
He said nothing.
“Introduce me to the family. If they’re struggling, maybe we can help together.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“It’s complicated.”
I felt tears gathering in my eyes.
“Tony, you’ve spent years telling me we weren’t financially ready for a baby, but you’ve secretly been supporting someone else’s child. Don’t you think I deserve to know why?”
He stared at the table.
I waited.
Finally, I said:
“Dakota gave you until Friday. What happens then?”
“Please don’t involve her.”
“She involved herself when she sent you that note.”
Tony stood.
