POV: Jasmine
The envelope arrived by courier—thick manila paper containing answers that would reshape our family forever.
I held it in both hands, feeling the weight of it. Not heavy physically, but loaded with the kind of significance that made my fingers tremble. Seven days of waiting. Seven days of pretending the results didn't matter while secretly obsessing over every possibility.
Now the answers were here, and I wasn't sure I wanted them anymore.
We gathered in Liam's living room—all three brothers arranged around the coffee table like generals awaiting battle reports. The anxiety in the room was so thick I could practically taste it, metallic and sharp on my tongue.
Nora had wanted to come. Had texted seventeen times offering moral support, snacks, and "someone to hold back whoever loses their shit first." But I needed to do this with just them. Just family.
"Whatever's in here doesn't change anything," Finn said, trying for his usual lightness and falling spectacularly short. His leg bounced with nervous energy, foot tapping an erratic rhythm against the hardwood floor. "We already agreed. Three dads. One kid. Very modern family arrangement."
"Then why do you look like you're about to puke?" Liam asked.
"Sympathy morning sickness. It's a thing. I read about it."
"Just open it," Asher muttered from his position against the far wall. Arms crossed, jaw tight, radiating tension like a reactor approaching meltdown. He'd positioned himself near the door like a man planning his exit.
I took a breath. Slid my finger under the seal. Tore.
The paper inside was clinical, covered in medical jargon and official letterhead. I scanned past the methodology section, past the sample identification numbers, past the technical explanation of DNA markers.
Found the conclusion.
"Liam." My voice came out strange. "It's Liam. 99.98% probability."
Finn exploded off the couch, grabbing Liam in a bear hug that nearly sent them both crashing into the coffee table.
"You dog!" Finn was laughing, pounding Liam's back. "Your swimmers won! Out of all of us—"
"Please stop talking about my swimmers." But Liam was grinning, that golden retriever joy breaking through. His eyes found mine, bright with emotion. "We're having a baby."
"We already knew that," I pointed out.
"Yeah, but now it's official." He crossed to me, pulling me into his arms. "Our baby. Officially."
Finn was still celebrating, doing a ridiculous victory dance. "Uncle Finn is going to be the cool one. Just so everyone knows. Calling dibs right now."
But I wasn't watching Finn's celebration.
I was watching Asher.
His shoulders dropped. Not with disappointment. With relief. Visible, unmistakable relief that flooded his features before he could mask it.
"Thank God," he muttered.
The words landed like a grenade.
"What?" My voice sharpened. The room went silent.
"Nothing." Asher's mask slammed back into place. "Congratulations. Both of you."
"That didn't sound like nothing." I stepped away from Liam, moving toward Asher. "That sounded like you're happy it's not yours."
"Jasmine—" Liam started.
"No." I held up a hand, eyes locked on Asher. "Say it. Whatever you're thinking, say it to my face."
Asher's jaw worked. Finn's celebration died mid-breath.
"Fine." Asher met my gaze with cold precision. "I'm relieved. I didn't want to be the father. I'm not ready for a child. I don't want a child." He gestured at the four of us. "And this—this was never a family to me."
The words hit like physical blows. I took a step back.
"What are you talking about?" Finn's voice cracked. "We agreed—"
"You agreed. Liam agreed." Asher's control cracked, something raw bleeding through. "I went along with it because the alternative was losing access to the company. To her." His eyes found mine. "But I never signed up for fatherhood. I never wanted this domestic fantasy you've all been constructing."
"We've been together for—"
"We've been fucking." Asher cut me off, brutal and precise. "That's what we've been doing, Jasmine. You and me? We were good in bed. That's it. That's all it ever was."
Liam moved forward, fists clenched. "Watch your mouth."
"Or what?" Asher turned on his brother with fifteen years of suppressed resentment. "You'll defend her honor? Play the golden retriever hero like always?" He laughed bitterly. "This is exactly what Jackson said would happen. We couldn't keep a company together, and we thought we could raise a child? In this arrangement?"
"You're agreeing with Dad now?" Finn's voice pitched high with disbelief.
"I'm agreeing with reality." Asher grabbed his jacket from the chair. "Three fathers. One mother. One baby nobody planned for. The press will crucify us. Society will eat that kid alive. And for what? So we can pretend we've built something that actually works?"
"It does work—" I started.
"Does it?" Asher spun back to face me. "When's the last time you and I were alone together? When's the last time we even touched? Since my father arrived, you've been glued to Liam. Sleeping in his bed. Making plans with him." His voice turned bitter. "I was already the third wheel. This just made it official."
"That's not true."
"It's absolutely true. You love him." Asher pointed at Liam. "You have fun with him." He gestured at Finn. "And me? I was convenient. Available. Good for stress relief when the other two were busy."
"Asher, that's not—"
"I'm done." He pulled on his jacket with sharp, angry movements. "I'm glad I'm not the father. I'm glad I don't have to pretend this circus is something I want. And I'm taking the London position—effective immediately."
He was at the door before anyone could move.
"If you walk out that door—" Liam's voice came low and dangerous.
"What? I'm out of the family?" Asher's laugh was hollow. "There is no family, Liam. There never was. There were three men fucking the same woman and calling it something romantic. Jackson was right—it's a shameful arrangement. It's always been a shameful arrangement."
The door slammed behind him.
Silence swallowed the room.
I stood motionless, one hand pressed against my stomach, the DNA results crumpled in my other fist. Finn had gone pale. Liam looked like he wanted to put his fist through a wall.
"He didn't mean it," Finn said finally, weakly. "He's just scared—"
"He meant every word." My voice came out flat. Dead. "I was just a convenient fuck to him. That's all I ever was."
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out with numb fingers.
A text from Asher, already sent from a car heading toward the airport.
Don't contact me.
The screen blurred. I couldn't tell if it was tears or shock or just the world finally showing me what I should have seen all along.