“They said a surrogate was a massive financial risk to the Whitmore estate.”

“They told me they had to protect you and the boys from any custody claims.”

“They cornered Claire in the hospital room right after she gave birth.”

I remembered the cold draft in that delivery room five years ago.

I remembered the thick manila envelope they slid across my bedside table.

“They threatened her, Daniel,” Ruth said, her voice cracking with emotion.

“They told her they would tie her up in court for years and take everything she had.”

“They made her sign away her parental rights under a strict non-disclosure agreement.”

“They paid her to disappear and told her she would go to jail if she ever contacted you.”

“I wanted to tell you, but they said it would destroy the family.”

“I was so afraid.”

Daniel stood perfectly still, his eyes fixed on me.

The twins were still holding my hands, their small fingers warm against my cold skin.

“You knew,” Daniel said to me, his voice hollow. “All this time.”

I couldn’t answer him.