Daniel: They’re all at the clinic. Everything is ready.
While we were heading to the airport, Mark and his family were arriving at a private clinic, celebrating what they thought was their future.
Lauren sat in the waiting area, glowing with confidence. Mark’s mother, Patricia, held her hand warmly.
“My dear, you must take care of yourself. My grandson needs you.”
“I’m fine,” Lauren said sweetly, glancing at Mark.
Jessica handed her a gift. “Only the best for the baby.”
They laughed together. As if I had never existed.
Then a nurse called Lauren in.
Mark followed, beaming.
Inside the ultrasound room, the doctor began the scan. The screen flickered with the image of a fetus.
But something shifted.
The doctor frowned.
“Doctor?” Mark asked nervously. “Is everything okay?”
The doctor didn’t respond right away. Then he spoke.
“There’s a discrepancy.”
“What does that mean?” Mark demanded.
The doctor pressed a button. “Security, please stand by.”
The tension snapped.
“What’s wrong?” Patricia asked, rushing in.
The doctor turned to them all.
“Based on the development, the conception occurred about four weeks earlier than what was stated.”
Silence.
Mark stared at Lauren.
“A month?” he said slowly. “That’s not possible. We weren’t even—”
“That means,” the doctor said calmly, “she was already pregnant before your relationship timeline.”
The room exploded.
“Whose baby is it?” Mark shouted.
Lauren panicked. “It’s a mistake!”
“It’s not,” the doctor said.
Jessica snapped. “You used him!”
