had his eyes.
Ethan had the same slight tilt to his head.
Sophia had his expression when she was thinking, and Olivia had the family dimple beneath her left cheek.
The ring box fell to the floor.
Claire stared at him.
“Daniel, who are those children?”
I stepped forward.
“Merry Christmas, Colonel.”
His jaw tightened.
“Kesha.
What is this?”
“Your family,” I answered.
“The part you forgot to mention.”
Margaret stumbled toward the fireplace.
“They died,” she whispered.
“Daniel told me the babies died.”
Noah heard her.
I had warned the children that their grandmother might have been told something terrible.
But I hadn’t anticipated the exact words coming from her mouth.
My son moved toward Daniel before I could stop him.
“Are you really our daddy?” he asked.
Daniel said nothing.
Noah looked from the colonel to his grandmother.
“Then why did you tell Grandma all four of us were dead?”
Margaret screamed.
It was the sound of a woman discovering that she’d mourned children who had been alive the entire time.
The front door opened moments later.
Two Army Criminal Investigation Division agents had been waiting outside for a previously arranged attempt to speak with Daniel about his financial certifications.
They had been informed that he was at the estate and had received permission from the property owner to approach.
They moved inside after hearing the disturbance.
Special Agent Evelyn Park identified herself, followed by Special Agent Caleb Ortiz.
Daniel’s expression changed from shock to anger.
“This is a private family gathering.”
Park remained calm.
“We understand that, Colonel.
We’re here concerning the pending investigation.
We’d prefer to speak with you privately.”
Daniel looked at me.
“You brought investigators to threaten me?”
“No,” I said.
“Your own statements brought investigators to you.”
I crouched beside Noah.
“Sweetheart, you’ve done nothing wrong.
Why don’t you and the others go with Aunt Lena? She’s going to show you the presents.”
Noah looked uncertain.
“Is Grandma mad at us?”
That question hurt more than anything Daniel had said.
Before I could answer, Margaret knelt with difficulty in front of him.
“No,” she whispered.
“Never at you.”
Noah regarded her carefully.
“Then why are you crying?”
Margaret looked toward Daniel.
“Because someone told me something terrible, and I believed it without asking the right person.”
Lena led the children into the conservatory, where glass walls overlooked snow-covered trees.
She had brought books, snacks, and their favorite small games so they could have a quiet space if the visit became difficult.
Only after the doors closed did I face Daniel again.
“January 2019,” I said.
“Do you remember what you signed?”
Daniel’s mouth tightened.
“I sign hundreds of documents.”
“This one named four living dependent children.”
I removed a certified record from the folder Moreno had prepared for the meeting.
The agents already possessed their own independently obtained copies.
Margaret leaned forward as I placed the page on the table.
There were four names.
Four birth dates.
Daniel’s identifying information.
And his signature below a statement certifying financial support.
Margaret stared at the paper.
“You knew they survived.”
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
“I was advised to preserve my rights regarding disputed paternity.”
“You certified they were your dependents,” I said.
“And you certified support payments that never reached their household.”
Park spoke carefully.
