After the divorce, I had no one left to lean on. Because of the child growing inside ME, I Swallowed my Pride and did every job I could find. On THE day I went into labor, I drove myself TO THE hospital, trembling through Every Red light.

Behind him came Eleanor in pearls, heels clicking against the hospital floor. She carried no flowers, no gift, not even a lie of concern. Her eyes went straight to my son. “Is this him?” she asked.

“This is my baby,” I said.

Julian snorted. “For now.”

The doctor stepped between them and the bassinet. His name badge read Dr. Marcus Thorne. His face had changed from shock to something colder, sharper.

Eleanor noticed him and stiffened.

“Marcus?” she said.

The room fell silent.***

Julian’s smile disappeared. “What are you doing here?”

Dr. Thorne stared at him. “Delivering a child you abandoned.”

Something passed between them, something old and poisonous. Eleanor recovered first.