—Dad! Kendall is the first to hug you, as if the weight of all his failures were lifted the moment you appeared. Roman, right behind him, throws in a snarky remark to hide how happy he really is: Look who’s back, our part-time hero.

And then Shiv, who won’t allow herself the same outburst, but whose genuine smile cuts through any armor. It hurts, how much you love them, how much they still need you.

But then you feel that stare. Logan. Always imposing, always like an old animal that refuses to give ground. He watches you from across the room, frown carved deep, with that expression you know all too well: a mix of reproach and jealousy.

—Ah, of course… his voice is low, sharp, dragging everyone along with it. Here comes the white knight. The perfect dad, the one who shows up once in a while and suddenly becomes the fucking savior.

Your kids lower their eyes, uneasy. You swallow hard, because you hate him and at the same time you know he’s right: your presence is a balm that stands in contrast to their daily wounds. And that, for Logan, is unforgivable.

You stand tall, holding your ex-husband’s gaze. Your children around you, as if they were hostages in a war they never asked for.