It was a legal addendum regarding the maternal rights of the surrogate births.

According to the text, in the event of Claire Caldwell’s death or permanent incapacitation, the legal maternal rights would immediately transfer.

Not to Benjamin alone.

But to Vanessa, as the designated co-guardian of the genetic material.

My breath caught in my throat.

“She set this up before Claire even died,” I whispered.

“She knew Claire was sick, and she manipulated the surrogacy process from the very start.”

“She made sure she had a legal claim to those children.”

Benjamin stared at the screen, his face completely pale.

“They are still my daughters,” he said, his voice pleading. “They have to be.”

“Look at the paternal markers, Elena. Please tell me they match mine.”

I looked down at the lab report again, scanning the technical columns for his name.

Before I could find the section, my phone in my hand vibrated violently.

It was a call from Dr. Amelia Hart.

I pressed the phone to my ear, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“Amelia?” I said. “I’m with Benjamin. We are looking at the files.”