In the Car.
Asher sat in the passenger seat, hands shaking, while Kael drove.
In the back, Kai asked, "Why was Grandpa Harrison mad?"
"He wasn't mad, buddy. Just... confused about some things."
"He seemed mad."
"Grown-ups sometimes get confused and say things they don't mean," Kael said carefully. "Grandpa Harrison will figure it out eventually."
"Are we still his grandkids?" Lily asked, voice small.
Asher's heart broke. "Of course you are, sweetheart. Always."
"Then why doesn't he believe it?"
"Because someone told him lies. But we'll prove the truth, and everything will be okay."
After the twins fell asleep in the back seat, Kael glanced at Asher.
"You okay?"
"No. Your father thinks I faked a DNA test. Thinks I'm using you. Thinks I'm cheating on you with random men in photoshopped images."
"He's wrong."
"I know that. But he believes it. Vanessa convinced him."
Kael's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "She's escalating."
