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had the right to know.”
    She jerked free. He let her, mostly because of how he’d been raised. It was the right thing to do.
    â€œI cared,” she snapped. “I cared a lot. You were supposed to love me. You convinced me it was safe to love you back. You took my virginity, then let someone call me a whore in front of all your friends.”
    â€œNone of that matters.”
    â€œOf course it matters. It speaks to who you are as a person. It’s the reason I didn’t try very hard.”
    The unfairness of the accusation burned. “I was a kid,” he growled.
    â€œSo was I. Eighteen, alone and pregnant. If you expect a break, then I get one, too.”
    â€œNo. It’s not the same. He’s my child. You deliberately kept us apart for years.”
    Liz drew in a breath and nodded slowly. “I know. That’s why I came back to tell you five years ago.”
    He didn’t believe the bullshit story about talking to Rayanne. He didn’t care about anything except he had a son.
    He pushed past her and headed for the door. “I want to see him.”
    â€œNo!” Liz grabbed his arm and held on with both hands. “Ethan, wait. Not like this. You can’t just walk in there and blurt it all out. He’s only eleven. You’ll scare him.”
    He could have kept walking. She didn’t have the physical strength to stop him, but as her words filtered through the haze of anger and resentment, he recognized that something—or someone—was more important than both of them.
    Tyler.
    He stopped.
    She released him, then came around so they were facing each other again. “I’m shocked, too. And sorry about all of this. I swear I thought you knew.”
    â€œI want to meet him.”
    â€œI agree. But we need a plan. He has to be prepared.”
    He narrowed his gaze. “You lost your right to decide what happens the day you chose to keep him from me.”
    She raised her chin. “That’s where you’re wrong. This isn’t a game. We’re talking about a child’s life. As for rights, I’m his mother and you’re not on his birth certificate.”
    He’d never wanted to hit a woman before. Never wanted to punish one. Intense rage grew until it nearly overwhelmed him.
    â€œI’m not saying I don’t want you to have a relationship with him,” she continued. “I do. That’s why I came back before. Of course I want that. I’m pissed, too. You said you loved me and yet you never bothered to look for me when I ran away. Based on what I saw with Pia, did you even miss me at all?”
    â€œWhat does that matter?” He swore again, then took a step back. “You stole eleven years from me, Liz. Stole time and memories I can never get back. Do you really think hurt feelings from high school come close to measuring up to that?”
    â€œI’ll accept responsibility for the first few years,” she told him. “But not the last five. Why do you refuse to believe me? I was here. I spoke to Rayanne. I’ll show you the letter as soon as it gets here. In the meantime, go talk to your wife.”
    He stared at her. Of course. She wouldn’t know. “Rayanne is dead.”
    Her eyes widened. “Oh, God. I’m sorry.”
    He glanced up at the house, wanting nothing more than to break in and take what was his. He might loathe Liz with every part of him, but she was right about one thing—Tyler was the only one who mattered in this situation. Bursting in and grabbing him would only terrify the kid. Ethan wanted a better start than that.
    Not that he should have to worry about that, hethought grimly. If he’d known about Tyler, he would have been there from the beginning. Been a father.
    â€œI’ll be by tomorrow after work,” he said quietly. “I want to meet him then.” He met her gaze. “No excuses.”
    She nodded. “I’ll tell him