Christmas morning was imperfect. The twins woke before sunrise. Luke climbed onto Damon’s stomach and demanded pancakes. Violet watched from the hallway until Damon invited Eleanor to sit beside him.

Damon had bought no gifts — he hadn’t had time. Instead, he helped Luke build a cardboard airport out of discarded boxes, and he let Violet decorate his face with washable markers after she decided he needed “friendlier eyebrows.”

Margaret photographed everything. Robert stayed cautious, but when Damon washed the breakfast dishes without being asked, he finally said, “You’re less useless than I expected.”

It was the closest thing to approval Damon received.

Chapter 8 — Earning It

Two days later, the paternity results confirmed what no one doubted. Luke and Violet were his.

Damon rented a furnished house fifteen minutes from Cassandra’s apartment in Portland. He could have bought an estate, but Cassandra told him the twins needed consistency more than luxury.