JAMES
Carmen leaves with promises to call me after her next doctor's appointment.
I watch her walk away from my office building, her hand resting protectively on her stomach, and feel something I haven't felt in years.
Hope.
Real, biological hope.
For the first time since this whole nightmare started, I might actually get what I've always wanted. A child who shares my DNA. A child who belongs to me completely.
The irony isn't lost on me. After years of lying about my fertility, after paying Dr. Weber fifty thousand dollars to get Lily pregnant with someone else's baby, my actual child is growing inside a woman I was using for stress relief.
Life is funny that way.
My phone rings as I'm driving home. Lily's name flashes on the screen.
"Hey, beautiful. How are you feeling?"
"Bette
