Page 92 of Absolution

That one lands like a slap. I put my fork down.

“Up until this morning,” I say slowly, “you thought I broke our family. Yet you stayed here.”

Jemma flushes, eyes dropping to the counter. “It’s different,” she mutters.

I nod, even though it stings. Then I take a deep breath and look at all three of them, really look. They act like little adults sometimes, but they’re barely twelve. Just babies playing grown-up with words too heavy for their shoulders.

“Look,” I say gently. “Your father made a series of mistakes as my husband. And yes, they cost him his marriage. But he didn’t make those mistakes as your dad. Did he?”

I look at Levi. “He still came to your games.”

I turn to Iris. “He sat through every band concert, even the ones you asked him not to record.”

Then Jemma. “He helped you build that volcano that exploded all over the dining room.”

She cracks a reluctant smile.

“He is still your dad,” I say firmly. “Whatever happened between him and me isourbusiness. Not yours. And I will never let that affect your relationship with him. Because he loves you. And I know you love him too.”

They’re quiet. Still holding their forks, still standing in that soft kitchen light, the air thick with more than just garlic and cheese.

Finally, Levi says, “But it still hurts.”

I reach over and rub the back of his neck, pulling him close. “I know, baby. It hurts me too.”

I let that sit for a second before I straighten up. “Now, the other issue at hand. I heard what happened at school.”

All three of them instantly look away, cheeks pink, shame thick in the air. Jemma twirls a piece of hair. Iris fiddles with her fork. Levi stares at the oven like it might save him.

“I know it’s uncomfortable that I’ve been dating,” I say gently. “And I had no idea that this Tracy girl even knew Lucas. But I’m sorry you had to find out like that. That’s not how I wanted things to go. And I know it must’ve felt awful.”

I look at each of them in the eye when I say the next part.

“But I am an adult,” I continue, my voice soft but firm. “And adults get to make decisions about their lives. Sometimes those decisions are messy. Sometimes they affect other people. But I promise I’ve never done anything to hurt you on purpose.”

They don’t say anything. But they’re listening. That’s something.

“And I’m not seeing Lucas anymore,” I add, watching their faces closely. “So, there’s no chance of him being your stepdad. That ship has sailed. And I can assure you, no matter what, no one I date, and no one your dad dates, will ever come in the way of us being a family. No one.”

Jemma’s chewing the inside of her cheek. Iris is nodding slowly. Levi looks a little disappointed, but he hides it well.

“We’re all figuring this out,” I say. “Together. That means talking. That means asking questions instead of throwing punches. Deal?”

There’s a beat of silence before Jemma mutters, “Dad’s not seeing anyone.”

I blink. “What?”

She shrugs. “Grandma told Dad she could set him up with someone, but he said no. He said… he still loves you.”

The kitchen goes still. Even the lasagna stops bubbling like it’s listening too.

I exhale through my nose. Avoiding the moment, I say dryly, “You’ve made a habit of eavesdropping, young lady.”

Jemma shrugs. “Not my fault people talk loud.”

Iris cuts in. “We don’t have school tomorrow.”

I raise a brow. “Levi does.”

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