Years earlier, after losing their first child during delivery, grief had hollowed them out. When doctors later told them Claire might never carry another pregnancy, desperation took hold.
They had been introduced to a young woman in rural Maine. She was struggling, pregnant, and in need of support. Everything was arranged quickly, legally, cleanly.
They promised to stay connected.
But after Mason was born and placed in their arms, that promise slowly faded into silence.
Ethan swallowed hard.
“We thought we were giving him a better life,” he said, his voice unsteady.
Claire covered her mouth, tears falling freely.
“Her name was Hannah,” she whispered. “She loved him before she ever held him.”
The girl nodded.
“She was my sister,” she said softly.
The room seemed to shift.
Ethan’s breath caught. “You mean—”
“She talked about him every day,” the girl continued. “Even after you stopped answering her.”
Claire shook, realizing the silence they believed was protective had felt like abandonment.
The monitor dipped again.
Dr. Thompson looked at Ethan. “If there’s something you need to say… say it now.”
Ethan stepped closer.