d, his mind drifting far ahead of him down the corridor

in daug

t fate had doubled his blessing without warning. The weight of that realization pressed on his chest, overwhelming yet b

going to clear them all. But somehow, the image of his daughters filled him with a qui

another sound in the hospital. But with each step he took, the sound grew sharper, more de

.He knew

own his spine as dread f

reached the door to the ward, he stopped short. His hand trembled as it closed aroun

er face twisted in unbearable anguish, clutching one of the babies tightly against her chest. Tears streamed freely down her fa

o the child- Too still. One

side Gloria was a female nurse, her hand resting gently on Gloria's shoulder in silent consolation. Gerald bar

nothing compared to what Gloria must be enduring. Nothing hurts a mother more than losing her own child

nsively. Gerald understood instantly. She didn't want to let go. The nurse had

loria felt

often slightly. Gerald watched her struggle, saw the moment she realized what had to be done even thoug

," Gloria cried. "

ough him. How desperately he wi

e told her, though the words fe

seeing the way her body shook with sobs, finally forced his own tears down without restraint. He mourned the baby, ye

With shaking hands, she passed the baby to him. Gerald's chest burned as he held the small, lifeless bo

wailed, reaching out as the nurse began t

is arms, holding her tightly as if lettin

shook despite his effort to sound

t he had just said, but he needed her to

an still be happy again. We don't need to tell her she had a twin. We'll raise her wit

uld see the pain still raw in her eyes, but beneath it, th

hat no matter what it took, he would protect what remained

**

s Aft

arms, instinctively tightening her hold. The journey from the hospital had felt longer than it truly was, and

opened the door for her as well, and Vanessa stepped out carefully, cradling the baby protectively. Madam Anita waited, watching her with a reserved expression,

pped inside, a loud pop

aping as colorful balloons burst

ongratu

idening as she took in the sight before her. The living room was transformed-bright decorations everywhere, a large banner stretc

.." she whispered, aw

workers, friends of Madam Anita, even people she

quet of flowers in his hands. His smile softened t

ack, touched. "I'm su

l... not

her head sligh

r grandmother's gaze. Madam Anita was smiling openly now. Vanessa was genuinely taken aback. They ha

a, you knew

" Madam Anita confessed.

aking her head. "You're unbelievable.

rs die of neglect?" Eduardo teased l

oney." She leaned in, and they exchanged a light kiss on the cheek before she turn

her secretary. "You don't need to thank us, ma'am Vanessa. You've always been kind to al

ou, Suzanne...Thank you all. Please, en

gh it felt like she had everything she could ask for, something was still missing. She s

Glo

his time, but the realization d

?" Madam Anita asked, her voice c

about Gloria. I don't unde

rdened immediately. "I thought we had an underst

that, Grandma...Gloria must have given bi

ou are not

anessa-and apparently everyone else. Conversations a

ing smile. "Everyone, please-there's nothing to worry

concern evident in his express

our wife," Madam Anita snapp

listen to her. You know how Grandma is. She keeps

"Let's calm down. We're in the mid

er," Madam Anita said firm

fened. "What do y

l of you-including the baby. You'

"Wh

e, but his expression mirrored her own shock. She faced her gra

gift to you. I want you to raise the baby

sing. "No one is causing trouble except you

n-the way eyes lingered, curious and uneasy. And then

ce," he murmured. "P

wasn't the right time to discuss it. Still, she lifted her chin

ta said coldly. "And that's final

ously around the baby. Good thing Edua

uilt washed over her. She loosened her grip just as Eduardo signaled to

talk outsi

ing unspoken. She forced a reassuring smile. "I'm sorry about what just happened. But of course

nowing this celebration had just taken a turn she never expected. She spotted Eduardo by the pool, stan

sensed her presence almost immediately. He turned around

say," she said sternly. "And I'm

is right about everything she said earlier. I'm just saying... Maybe we should try honoring her gift. You know s

ther. She always had. But caring didn't me

een there for me when no one else was. I can't just leave without seeing her. Even if I d

he'll understand. She's not unreasonable. Besid

ld her there was hope there-too much of it. The kind of hope that ca

hidden her disapproval of him. The prenuptial agreement alone had made that painfully clear. To her grandmother, love was never freely given. It came with con

as done something like this for our marriage. I don't want her to feel

here i

ying to feel accepted into the family. Yes, she loved E

long to feel accepted by her grandmother, and now that the door

t didn't make t

. And maybe he did. After everything he had said, after everything she understoo

at loving Eduardo meant compromises. But she never imagined one of t