THERE'S A KNOCK ON MY DOOR and this time, I have not a clue of who it could be. Eliot is beside me, bouncing Janus up and down with one arm while he uses the other to cook scrambled eggs over the stove.

I'd been in the middle of getting dressed but there was an impatient second knock, which leads me to belive it'd be important.

In only a tank top and sweatpants and unbrushed hair, I opened the door with a sigh.

On the other side, was Coriolanus' tall figure smiling down at me.

I'd forgotten entirely I'd told him he could come by today, as it's been two weeks since I last spoke with him.

"Hi--"

My jaw clenches and unclenches before holding a hand up, preventing him from speaking further. "Just give me one minute."

I shut the door--quite abruptly in his face--before turning hastily to take Janus from Eliot's arms and place her on my hip. "You know how I told you Janus' father was coming to visit?"

He nods, brows furrowed with confusion.

"He's here."

His eyes widen, realization flashing inside. "Oh. Er--what can I do?"

I shake my head, completely unsure. This was a total error on my part but I'm so flustered and caught off guard and panicked that all I can do is shrug and return to the door.

Reopening it, I step aside and allow Coriolanus in.

His eyes fall on Janus in my arms and I watch as a new expression unlocks on his face. He looks bewildered and in awe and grateful and--he's crying.

His ocean blue eyes have begun watering and it's not at all what I was expecting.

"Um, this is Janus." I say, motioning my head to her, swiping the soft strands of hair out of her face. I'm totally blanking because this was all so unexpected and Coriolanus' reaction has thrown me for a loop.

"She looks just like you, Mare." he says, almost choked up a little with a small smile. 

I almost smile. I've imagined Coriolanus and I with our daughter happily--dancing in the kitchen, waking up in bed together, the three of us, our little family--but actually seeing him here, looking at the child he's helped create... it's an entirely different and unworldly thing.

I'd gotten so lost in watching my daughter and her father interact that I've forgotten Eliot was right beside me, still awaiting an introduction.

I clear my throat. "Oh, and this is Eliot."

Coriolanus's smile vanishes slowly as he looks up from Janus, and at the man giving a small wave.

He doesn't ask me who exactly he is, not because he already knows, but because it's none of his business. Coriolanus isn't in my life anymore and he knows damn well of it.

He straightens his posture, from where he was currently leaned over and watching in mesmerization over our daughter and goes to give Eliot's hand a shake. "Coriolanus."

Eliot smiles, accepting the introduction and giving the blonde a firm handshake. "It's nice to meet you."

ELIOT HAD LEFT A COUPLE OF MINUTES ago but Coriolanus was still silent, as was I. Janus had just finished crawling around her pack-and-play and was now sitting on my lap on the cold floor.

Coriolanus had analyzed the small apartment--how we were in the living room yet still, my twin-sized air mattress was still just a couple feet from us, and the refrigerator.

I can tell he's sympathetic to me and the position I've been in because his gaze has softened and he has a sad frown on his face when he looks at me putting on a fake smile to please my daughter as she hides her beaming face in the crook of my neck.

"Are you eating enough here? I can bring you groceries--"

The ghost of my smile remains on my face as I look up at him. "I'm fine."

He shakes his head and narrows his gaze on me. He knows better. He can see right through me because he was in the same position just a few months ago.

"Mare, you've lost a lot of weight."

It wasn't a secret, sure, but I also gained a lot during my pregnancy.

"I can buy you a house," he offers, voice soft like a whisper.

I don't fight the eyeroll I'm urged to do. "How kind."

He reaches for my hand but I immediately pull it away. "Mare, we can be a family."

"We?" I ask, eyes dark and brows furrowed. "You're a murderer."

His eyes hinder, and I can tell I've punched him right in the heart. Good.

"You got here one month ago and got my parents wrapped around your little finger--the money you're offering me now was mine just a few weeks ago. The shoes you're wearing belong to my brother, and yet, you're sleeping in the same rat-infested apartment as a few months ago." I say, my words laced with venom. "And you want me to move into some house you bought with my parent's money but I could have it all taken away in an instant if I just tell them who you really are." His eyes are wild and threatened now, he thinks he knows what I'm about to say next. And good--maybe now he'll know what I'm capable of. I hold the power here. Not him, and certainly not my parents. "You're a fraud, Coriolanus."