My Ex-Husband Challenged Me at a State Competition He Did Not Control

tried to act composed for almost three seconds before throwing his arms around me. 

“We did it,” he whispered.

“You did,” I told him.

Over Eli’s shoulder, I saw Daniel stand.

For one irrational second, I thought he might leave.

Instead, he started walking toward us.

Vanessa caught his sleeve, but he pulled free without looking at her.

Mason followed a few steps behind.

Daniel stopped in front of the boys and stared at the medals hanging against their shirts.

Then he looked at their faces properly for what may have been the first time in years.

I watched recognition arrive slowly.

Not recognition of who they were. I had already told him that.

Recognition of what he had missed.

“You won both divisions?” he asked.

Eli glanced at Owen. “Separate divisions.”

“Science and math,” Owen added.

Daniel nodded several times as though someone had handed him information he needed