The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"Let's go. I'll take you out to dinner," Casper said.

Gary followed behind him. "Have you thought about what's going to happen to Cody?"

Casper shrugged. "Why should I?"

"He's your only son. If you don't bring him back, are you really going to let our family line die out just like that?" Gary asked.

Casper's gaze settled on the streetlights and the thinning crowd, an unexpected sense of calm washing over him. "Isn't this exactly what you were hoping for?"

Once they stepped inside the restaurant, he passed the menu to Julia. "Take a look and decide what you'd like to order."

Julia picked a starter. "We never thought Ruby would lie to us!"

Casper leaned back, crossed his legs, and echoed, "You never thought Ruby would lie to you?"

Who would've

thought I'd betrayed her with Jessica, why didn't you look into it? Or insist on a DNA test? Instead,

dry laugh. "Dad, you've built your entire career on being

Ruby's claims sooner, they might

and ended

Jessica horribly.

at Casper. He'd failed her, too, refusing to stand by her unconditionally, even though he knew full

Gary hesitated. "I'm sorry."

So does Cody. You called her a gold-digger,

a better life. She's

watched Jessica and Cody after work. Their bond was unshakable. Cody's guarded demeanor

we want him to. You need to understand that," Casper said with a

flared. "Then what? We just let him call another man 'dad'?"