Page 166 of Even Exchange

Her tone heightens my anxiety. “Mamma?”

“I thought Charlotte’s three months pregnant now?” she says, gaze glued to the tiny paper.

“She’s further along than we expected,” I say, tone trembling.

Her eyes find mine. “Quindi, non è tua figlia?”?2

“No,” I say, voice cracking.“Non è mia figlia.”?3

“What’s going on?” Tony asks, unable to translate.

“Noah’s not the father.” Her eyes hold mine. “This changes things, no?”

“No.” I shake my head. “It changes nothing.”

“If you’re not the biological father,” Tony says, releasing a heavy breath, “it does change things.”

“Why?” I snap.

“Becauselegallythis baby is not yours.”

I stand, anger rolling through me.

“Tony,” Mom says gently.

“He needs to hear this,” Tony tells her.

“They’re still my family,” I say, chest panging.

“Not in the eyes of the law,” he reminds me.

“Fuck the law!” My tone is laced with frustration.

“Noah,” Mom says sharply. “Do I need to get the Legos?”

“No, I’m sorry, I just… I don’t care if they’re not ‘legally’ my family. Family is made up of more than signed papers and blood relations.” My eyes meet Tony’s. “You taught me that.”

“Of course I know that,” Tony says, his eyes full of concern. “But legally, you have no ties to her or this baby. She can leave anytime she wants, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”

A needle has pierced the happy bubble I’ve been living in. I’m plummeting towards earth. No contingency plan. No audible.

“You’re wrong,” I say, walking towards the kitchen for my keys. “Charlotte wouldn’t do that.” Would she? I’ve been telling her I’m not going anywhere. I never even considered the fact she could. That she might want to. Maybe that’s why she hasn’t tried to be physical lately either. Or why she insisted on seeing Jonathan alone.

I shake away the thought the second it enters my brain. She wouldn’t do that.

“I’ve been practicing family law for twenty years,” Tony reminds me. “I’ve seen tons of cases like this one. You won’t win.”

“I don’t need to win anything.” Panic sets in. “I just want Charlotte. And I want this baby.”

“I know your heart is in the right place, but I don’t wanna see you blind-sided.” He grips my shoulder and looks into my eyes. “I’m trying to prepare you for if sh?—”

“I don’t need you to ‘prepare me,’” I spout, the words venom on my tongue, and shake him off. “I need you to be there for me. For us.”

“We’re always here for you,” he says with a defeated sigh.

I blink back tears at the thought of this life being taken away from me and straighten my shoulders, locking eyes with him. “You can tell me I’m crazy, because I know this happened fast. And I know they aren’t my blood. But Charlotte and this baby, they’re my family. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they’re safe and cared for.”

“I know you will, but I ju?—”

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