Abigail nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. “Then sit with me.”
So Megan sat on the rug.
Abigail sat beside her with Lily in her lap.
For several minutes, Lily stared at Megan.
Megan smiled shakily. “Hi, sweetheart.”
Lily blinked.
Megan held out one finger.
The baby considered it with grave seriousness, then wrapped her tiny hand around it.
Megan bowed her head and wept silently.
Rowan turned away, pressing his fist to his mouth.
Not because the moment was sad.
Because it was mercy.
The weeks that followed did not move like a movie. They moved like life.
Slowly. Carefully. With paperwork, court dates, pediatric appointments, supervised visits, late-night calls, and feelings too complicated for easy names.
Claire cooperated after Priya presented evidence of her payments and staged materials. Her confession helped expose the conspiracy, though the court would decide the consequences. She returned the engagement ring in a padded envelope with a short note.
