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Dr. Carter leaned back against the counter, his arms crossed tightly.
I looked at him.
“But this… this isn’t a misunderstanding.”
“That’s why you reacted the way you did when you saw my son,” I said.
The doctor nodded.
“I knew I had to tell you the truth.”
I looked down at Noah. He shifted slightly in my arms, unaware of the upheaval.
My voice came out softer than I had expected.
“I’m not letting my husband walk away from this.”
Lena looked at me instantly.
“Good, because I don’t want him getting away with it either.”
There was no hesitation in her voice.
“I knew I had to tell you the truth.”
Lena stepped closer to the bed.
“I’ve been trying to figure this out on my own,” she said. “But I don’t even know where to start.”
Dr. Carter straightened.
“My brother’s a lawyer,” he said. “Family law. I can connect you both with him. I’m sure he can help you for free.”
Lena and I exchanged a look.
That was the first moment things didn’t feel completely out of control.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s do that.”
“I don’t even know where to start.”
***
Lena left not long after we spoke to Michael, Dr. Carter’s lawyer friend, who agreed to help out of the goodness of his heart. She had her baby at home, and I could tell she didn’t want to be away too long.
Before she walked out, she paused at the door.
“I’m really sorry.”
I shook my head.
“This isn’t on you.”
She gave a small nod.
“We’ll figure this out,” she said.
“Yeah. We will.”
Then she was gone.
“This isn’t on you.”
***
Two days later, I was discharged.
Mrs. Alvarez picked me up, just as she’d promised.
“You look exhausted,” she said as I got into the car.
“I am.”
But there was something else there too, something steadier.
***
When we got back, Mrs. Alvarez helped me carry my bag inside, then left me to rest.
Noah slept most of the afternoon.
“You look exhausted.”
I sat on the edge of my bed, watching my baby, letting everything replay in my head.
Mark’s words.
His excuses.
The way he made me feel as if I were asking too much just by expecting him to stay.
Now I knew the truth.
He hadn’t just left me.
He’d gone and impregnated someone else and left her, too.
I looked at Noah again.
“I’ve got you,” I said quietly.
And this time, I believed it.
Now I knew the truth.
***
The following morning, my phone buzzed.
A message from Lena, with whom I’d exchanged numbers.
“I talked to Michael. He can see us today if you’re up for it.”
I didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll be there.”
***
Lena and I met outside a small office downtown.
She looked tired but focused.
“You ready?” she asked.
I nodded.
I didn’t hesitate.
***
Inside, we officially met Michael.
“Alright,” he said. “You both have a strong case.”
Lena looked relieved.
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