There was nothing I could say to that.
One of the babies stirred.
Laura immediately leaned down.
Her voice softened.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
The baby settled again.
I watched her.
Then I asked the question I was afraid to ask.
“Are they mine?”
Laura stared at me.
“Yes.”
My chest tightened.
“I’ll do a DNA test,” she continued. “Not for you. For them.”
I nodded quickly.
“Whatever you want.”
“And if it confirms you’re their father, that does not give you permission to take over my life.”
“I understand.”
“No. Listen first.”
So I listened.
“No showing up at my apartment.”
“Okay.”
“No sending employees to watch us.”
“Okay.”
“No gifts designed to make me feel obligated.”
“Okay.”
“No threatening custody because you have more money.”
My stomach turned.
“I would never—”
She gave me a look.
I stopped.
Because a year earlier I would have sworn I would never throw my pregnant wife out either.
“Okay,” I said.
“Support goes through attorneys.”
“Yes.”
“You see the twins when we agree it’s appropriate.”
“Yes.”
“You do not use them to repair your reputation.”
“Never.”
“And you never bring Serena near them.”
That one was easy.
“She will never come near you again.”
Laura’s expression changed slightly.
“You’re sure?”
I slid the security logs across the table.
“I’m very sure.”
The DNA results came five days later.
Probability of paternity: 99.99%.