"Tilly is good girl! It rang!"

"It rang?" Deirdre glanced at the cell phone Tilly had thrown on the bed and froze for a second. The number on the screen was etched in her memory—it was Brendan's number, a number she hadn't forgotten even after losing her vision. For four years, Brendan hadn't changed his number.

"Mommy?" Tilly tilted her head.

Deirdre composed herself, picked up her phone, and said, "Brendan? Why did you call me?"

Brendan clenched his fists. "The kid..."

He took a deep breath and asked, "Who is the kid answering the phone?"

Deirdre pursed her lips. She hadn't wanted Brendan to find out about Tilly, but now that he knew, she couldn't hide it any longer.

"It's none of your business," Deirdre replied, her voice cold. "These are my family matters and personal affairs. They have nothing to do with you, and I have no reason to explain anything to you."

"It's none of my business?" Brendan held his breath, trying to remain calm. "No, you can't have a child. She must be