Chapter 5

Charles and I stared at each other in silence. I met his gaze, calm and unafraid.

After a moment, he pressed his tongue against his cheek and said, "You look pretty good. Still got the energy for jokes."

I smiled and pointed to the side. "Since you're already here, why not check on my baby?"

Charles leaned in to look.

He was in his mid-thirties and should have been a dad by now.

But as he gazed at the tiny baby, something seemed to stir inside him, emotions unexpectedly welling up.

He turned to me. "Where's the baby's father?"

I…