When their eyes met again, the doctor saw not just the woman who had left him years ago, but a mother who had carried their child. He saw strength, vulnerability, and an opportunity for a fresh start—a chance to be part of something greater than himself.

Finding a moment of privacy, he approached her bedside, his voice barely above a whisper. “We need to talk,” he said softly, his heart pounding with uncertainty and hope.

She nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Yes, we do. But for now, meet your son.”