I named them Nora and Elise. My mother stood beside me while I held them one at a time. Their faces were red and wrinkled. They did not look like evidence of anyone’s argument. They looked like babies.
Michael learned of the birth through the agreed communication channel. He sent flowers with a note saying he hoped we were well. I appreciated the courtesy without mistaking it for repair.
There were sleepless nights, feeding plans, and follow-up appointments. Some days I felt overwhelmed. Leah reminded me that asking for help was a form of care, not failure.
When Nora curled her fingers around mine and Elise slept against my shoulder, I understood how small the old question had become. I no longer needed Michael to tell me that my children belonged in the world.
CHAPTER 20: THE TEST
After the girls were medically ready, parentage testing was arranged through a qualified laboratory with verified identities and proper collection procedures. I did not want rumors, home test kits, or arguments over screenshots. I wanted a reliable answer.
