The sunlight was blinding, catching at the edges of Julian’s eyes, leaving them faintly damp.

How desperately he longed to touch little Jaden, to feel his presence with his own hands.

But he had no right.

His gaze lingered on Francesca as he asked softly, “The baby’s coming soon, isn’t he? Does he move around a lot? Can you feel his little hands through your belly? Is he behaving, or giving you trouble?”

Toward the end, his voice ...