My 5-Year-Old Wants to Invite ‘Her Real Dad’ to Our Father’s Day Dinner

They left in silence. Adam muttered something about being sorry. Jess couldn’t meet my eyes. I didn’t watch them go. I just held Lily.

The next day, I filed for divorce. Jess didn’t contest it.

Adam tried to reach out. I blocked him.

We started paternity testing, but honestly, I don’t care about the results. I’ve held Lily through fevers, danced with her in the kitchen, wiped her tears and her nose. She’s mine.

Last night, Lily crawled into bed beside me.

“Daddy?” she whispered.

“Yeah, baby?”

“I don’t want to play that game again.”

I pulled her close. “Me neither. You’ll never have to.”

She looked up, eyes wide. “Are you still my real daddy?”

I didn’t hesitate. “I always have been. I always will be.”

She nodded and rested her head on my chest.

That was all she needed to hear.