PART 9:

How? Daniel had no answer for that. His 6-year-old daughter had just distilled the entire situation down to its essence and found him wanting. They got home and Sophie disappeared into her room to draw pictures of moon rocks. Daniel stood in his kitchen, phone in hand, staring at Ariana’s last message. He should end this now.

Before it got messier. Before Miranda made good on her threats. Before he had to choose between protecting Sophie and pursuing something that might be real. His phone rang. Ariana. He answered without thinking. Hey. Hey. Her voice was cautious. Bad time? Complicated time. Want to talk about it? Not particularly. Want to talk about anything else? Daniel closed his eyes. Yeah.

Anything else would be great. Okay. Tell me about the moon rocks. So he did. He told her about Sophie’s excitement, her questions, the way she’d pressed her nose against the glass like she could absorb knowledge through proximity. He told her about the drive home, the fight he didn’t mention, but Ariana probably heard in his voice anyway.

She sounds like an amazing kid, Ariana said when he finished. She is. She’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I’d like to meet her. Properly, I mean. Not just in passing. The words should have terrified him. Instead, they felt right. She’d like that. She’s been asking about you. Has she? Wants to know if you’re nice.

I told her you were. That’s a lot of pressure. What if I’m secretly terrible? Are you secretly terrible? Jury’s still out. I once stole a candy bar when I was eight. Never quite recovered from the guilt. Daniel laughed, tension easing. What kind of candy bar? Snickers. I ate it behind the grocery store and then threw up from anxiety.

My mom found out anyway and made me go back and pay for it with my allowance. Eleanor Blake made you pay for a candy bar? Eleanor Blake believes in consequences, even for 8-year-olds. Sounds terrifying. She is. But she’s also the reason I learned accountability early. A pause. Speaking of family, uh did Miranda find out? Daniel’s stomach tightened again.

How did you Because you said it was a complicated time and your voice has that edge it gets when she’s been at you. What did she say? The expected things. That it’s inappropriate. That I’m making her look bad. That she’ll fight for custody if I don’t back off. Ariana was quiet for a long moment. She threatened Sophie? She threatened to threaten Sophie.

There’s a difference. Not really. Ariana. I’m serious. Miranda doesn’t make idle threats. If she said she’d go after custody, she meant it. I know. He leaned against the counter, exhaustion settling into his bones. Which is why maybe we should step back before this gets uglier. Another pause, longer this time.

Is that what you want? Ariana asked finally. No. But it might be what’s smart. Smart is overrated. Easy for you to say. Your kid isn’t on the line. You’re right. She’s not. Ariana’s voice was steady, firm. But I’m not walking away because my sister is throwing a tantrum. And I don’t think you should, either. This isn’t a tantrum.

This is a legitimate threat to my custody arrangement. Based on what? That you had coffee with someone? No judge would take that seriously. You don’t know Miranda. She’s resourceful when she wants to be vindictive. I know her better than you think. I’ve watched her manipulate people my entire life.

The threats are bigger than the follow-through. She’s counting on you backing down. Daniel wanted to believe that, but he’d been on the receiving end of Miranda’s vindictiveness before. She didn’t bluff. I can’t risk Sophie. He said quietly. I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to not make decisions based on fear. Fear is rational when someone threatens your kid.

Agreed. But Miranda can’t actually take Sophie. You’re a good father. You have stable custody. One judge already decided you deserve that. Miranda would have to prove something actually harmful to challenge it. And coffee dates with me aren’t harmful. You’re sure about that? I’m sure Miranda wants you to be afraid.

Whether she can actually do anything is another question entirely. Daniel rubbed his face, trying to think clearly. I need to talk to my lawyer. That’s smart. Do that. But don’t make a decision right now while you’re still wound up from fighting with her. You sound very calm about all this. Um I’m furious, actually.

But I learned a long time ago that showing emotion when dealing with my family is a losing strategy. They use it against you. That’s a depressing way to live. Welcome to the Blake family experience. Her tone softened. Look, I meant what I said. I’m not walking away. But I also won’t pressure you. If you decide this is too risky, I’ll understand.

I won’t like it, but I’ll understand. And if I decide to keep going? Then we keep going. Carefully. Honestly. With Sophie’s well-being first, like like we said. Daniel closed his eyes, making a choice that was probably stupid and definitely reckless. Tomorrow, same time? You’re sure? No, but I’m doing it anyway. He could hear the smile in her voice.

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