Stuart went on and on about how pitiful the kid was.
A nearby nurse nodded. “That’s right. I can’t imagine what kind of heartless parents would dump a baby in the middle of winter.
“If he’d been brought in any later, he wouldn’t have survive. Even now, his future looks bleak. His throat’s so damaged he can’t even cry properly–he may never speak.
“And after burning up with fever for three days… even if he’s not brain–damaged, his development will-
“Enough!” Stuart snapped, like she’d hit a nerve.
Realizing his outburst, he forced a stiff apology before turning to me. “Elaine, I need to talk to you.”
He wanted to adopt the kid. Said he was too pitiful to be left alone.
”
Then came the real reason–his latest medical report. Low sperm motility. Chances of having kids? Almost zero. This child showing up now? A gift from fate for the two of us.
He said…
My head buzzed.
He’d fed me the same lies in my past life–just dressed up differently.
His so–called infertility kept me from ever suspecting the truth. And because of that, I knew one thing for sure- no matter how broken Peter ended up, Stuart would never abandon him.
Peter wasn’t just any kid. He was possibly the only one Stuart would ever have. More than that, he was the son of the woman Stuart actually loved.
A cold, bitter smile tugged at my lips.
If he loved her so much, then why drag me into this? Why ruin my life?
“Elaine,” a new voice cut in–Rosie.
In my past life, she hadn’t been part of this scheme. But now? She was stepping up to sell me on it.
“You two need someone to take care of you when you’re old Since Stuart likes the kid, why not keep him?”
Her eyes darted away, refusing to meet mine. And just like that, it clicked.
She’d been in on it back then too.
I thought back to how much she’d doted on Peter, how sweet she’d acted toward him. A bitter laugh almost slipped out.
