Justin’s disbelief turned to something colder—calculation. Twelve children. All successful. Someone among them had to feel something—guilt, duty, pity. He didn’t deserve their help, but he needed it. The girls looked like him. That had to count for something. It was a long shot, but it was his only one.
He moved quickly, not out of courage, but necessity. He gathered the last crumpled bills from the drawer, maxed out what little was left on his card, and bought a one-way ticket to New York. Lucy might not want to see him, but surely one of his girls would give him a chance.