training in another state.
Then, months later, Vanessa learned she was pregnant.
With twins.
Tyler said he panicked.
Vanessa sat perfectly still while he spoke.
“You told me you were excited,” she said.
“I was.”
“You bought two car seats.”
“I know.”
“You painted stars on the nursery wall.”
“I remember.”
“Then why are you saying you panicked?”
“Because my father got involved.”
That made me look up.
Tyler’s father, Richard, had died three years earlier.
A stern, controlled man who had worked in hospital administration for most of his career.
He had never been warm toward me.
But he had adored Mason.
Or at least I had thought he did.
“What does your father have to do with this?” I asked.
Tyler rubbed the back of his neck.
“He thought I was ruining my life.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“You were twenty-eight.”
“He thought I should focus on my career.”
