I stayed silent for a moment, then squeezed her hand and whispered, "Thank you."
Sara hugged me gently and said, "You've still got me."
Just as I got my emotions in check, Dexter walked back in.
Looking anxious, he said, "Babe, I'm so sorry. There's an emergency at work, and I have to go back right away."
I gave him a gracious smile and told him it was fine, urging him to hurry back.
He gave me an apologetic hug and rushed out.
The moment he left, Sara quickly sent a message to the investigator.
...
Around 7 p.m., just as my parents were dropping off dinner, the investigator's message came in.
It was a photo—Dexter standing outside a delivery room, holding a newborn in his arms, with his mom beaming next to him.
The caption read: 6:30 p.m., the woman gave birth to a baby boy.
As I stared at the picture of Dexter holding that child, I couldn't help but think of my own daughter still in the NICU. My anger flared like never before.
I replied, instructing the investigator to arrange a paternity test for Dexter and that baby. If it worked out, they would be well rewarded.
"Rachel, where's Dexter? Didn't he visit today?" My dad asked, clearly annoyed at his absence.