The hallway outside remained calm. Nurses spoke softly at their station while carts rolled gently across polished floors.

Olivia had almost drifted off to sleep when the door suddenly burst open.

The loud bang startled everyone.

Margaret jumped up.

A nurse gasped.

And Daniel Hayes rushed inside like someone escaping disaster.

He looked nothing like the confident executive Olivia remembered.

His hair was disheveled.

His tie hung loose.

His face was pale.

And his eyes were wide with panic.

“Where is she?” he demanded.

Olivia pushed herself upright.

“Daniel, you can’t just—”

But he wasn’t listening.

He had already crossed the room.

He stopped beside the bassinet.

And then he froze.

The world seemed to pause.

Daniel stared down at the baby.

His breathing slowed.

His hands trembled.

When he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper.

“She… looks exactly like me.”

The room went silent.

Olivia felt her pulse pounding in her ears.

The baby stirred softly in her sleep.

Daniel studied every tiny detail.

The dark hair.

The small nose.

And the faint dimple in her chin.

A dimple Daniel had inherited from his father.

His hand lifted slightly, as if he wanted to touch her—but he stopped.