Chapter 2 – One Final Chance
Patricia slammed her hand against the dining table.
"This is ridiculous!"
Harold nodded immediately.
"She's not a Whitman."
Daniel turned toward them.
"Then tell me something."
Neither of them answered.
"When Lily had pneumonia last winter, who stayed awake beside her hospital bed for three nights?"
Silence.
"When she broke her wrist learning to ride her bike, who carried her into the emergency room?"
Still nothing.
"When she has nightmares, whose name does she call?"
Daniel rested his hand on Lily's shoulder.
"Mine."
His voice remained calm.
"Being a parent isn't biology."
"It's showing up."
Patricia folded her arms.
"You're throwing away your own blood."
Daniel looked toward Mason and Chloe.
"Am I?"
Both teenagers exchanged nervous glances.
Finally, Mason stood.
"Dad's right."
Every eye turned toward him.
"Lily's my sister."
Chloe nodded.
"Mine too."
She walked across the room and wrapped an arm around Lily.
"I don't care whose DNA she has."
Lily smiled through her tears.
May you like
For the first time that evening, all three children stood together.
Patricia looked completely defeated.
