جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 84

KARENJason noticed the shift in my expression immediately, though he didn’t ask questions. He simply leaned back into the couch, one arm resting lazily against the cushion and kept his eyes on me.“You should probably take it,” he said calmly.There was no tension in his voice, no suspicion, no sharp edge hidden beneath the words.Just simple trust.I swallowed lightly and stood.“Yeah… I’ll be back.”He gave a small nod, already lifting his tea again as if he hadn’t just seen the name of the man who had complicated far too much of my life flash across my screen.I stepped into the hallway before answering.“Richard?”“Karen.”His voice sounded tired. Not exhausted exactly, but heavy, like someone carrying too much at once.“I’m sorry for calling this late,” he said quickly. “I know it’s not the best time.”I leaned against the wall and glanced toward the living room. Jason was still there, relaxed, completely unbothered.“It’s okay,” I replied quietly. “What happened?”Richard exhal

RICHARDMonday morning started with my phone ringing before I had even finished making coffee.I glanced at the screen and saw Elise’s name.For some reason, my chest tightened a little.Elise never called this early unless something important had happened.I picked up immediately.“Morning,” I said, still rough around the edges from sleep.“Good morning, sir,” Elise replied, her voice carrying that calm, professional tone she always seemed to have. “I wanted to let you know personally that Sophie’s paternity filing has officially been completed.”I straightened without realizing it.“Completed?”“Yes,” she said. “Everything has been submitted, processed, and legally recognized. There shouldn’t be any further complications.”For a second, I didn’t say anything.I just stood there in the middle of my kitchen, hand gripping the edge of the counter while her words settled over me.It sounded strange hearing it said out loud.“She’s officially yours,” Elise added gently, and for the first