He hated the limitations.
But he followed them.
Mostly.
There were violations. Late returns. Condescending messages. Attempts to negotiate directly. Priya remained a storm in heels. The monitored app remained my favorite invention after epidurals and dry shampoo.
As Lily grew, Ryan became more interested in her when she became easier to display.
A toddler in a dress at a corporate picnic.
A little girl waving from his shoulders at a company family day.
A photo for his mother’s Christmas card.
I hated that.
But I also watched carefully for Lily herself.
She came home from visits happy sometimes. Irritated sometimes. Tired sometimes. She loved the big aquarium in Ryan’s lobby. She liked his doorman, Mr. Paul, who gave her stickers. She did not yet understand adult disappointment.
I promised myself I would never make her responsible for mine.
When she was old enough to ask why Daddy did not live with us, I told the age-appropriate truth.
