“I’m telling the truth, baby,” I whispered, my voice cracking even as I forced myself to sound steady for her sake.

“But if you really want Elijah as your dad, you can treat him that way.” My hand trembled slightly as I smoothed her blanket, her tearful eyes cutting deep into me. “But I can’t promise we can be a family. Not in the way you dream, sweetheart.”

Marga sniffled, her lips trembling, and after a long pause she asked, her small voice raw, “Don’t you love Uncle ...