doption and the necessity of DNA proof.

“Let’s do it. Let’s get the DNA test,” Tina insisted, wanting to jump out of her seat.

However, the lawyer cautioned about the difficulties of obtaining consent for the test and the potential for a lengthy process.

Despite this, Tina was determined to fight for her son as she believed something shady had truly happened at the hospital.

Leaving the lawyer’s office, Tina got to her car, contemplating the challenging path to uncovering the truth about Shawn. Yet, she couldn’t give up. Not now, not when there was still a slim chance that Shawn could be her son.

“Nurse Hayley,” Tina muttered.

“She would know for certain.”

***

“I need to speak to Nurse Hayley,” Tina demanded at the hospital reception. The receptionist typed something into her computer, her brows knitting together.

“I’m sorry, but Nurse Hayley no longer works here,” she said. Despite Tina’s pleas, the receptionist could not assist her further.

So, she left, dragging her feet to her car as if waiting for a sign.

Her phone rang, making her jump.

“Tina,” Detective Harris barked once she answered the call, “we’ve got a problem. A big one.”

“What is it?”

“Megan,” he continued, his voice clipped. “She’s making moves.

Packing, clearing out the bank account, and booking international flights. Looks like she’s getting outta here, and fast. Call your lawyer.

You need to stop her, or you’ll never see that baby again.”

***

After calling her lawyer, Tina learned she had to get to the courthouse immediately and request a specific order. She would join her soon but had something to do first. Unfortunately, Tina didn’t count on having to schedule these things.

“Emergency custody order?

You need an appointment,” Doris, the clerk, stated.

“No time for appointments. My son’s being taken abroad. Kidnapped!” Tina protested, her hand resting on the woman’s desk.

Doris checked her schedule.

“Next opening, two weeks.”

Tina couldn’t accept that. Her phone buzzed with a message from Detective Harris: “Lost her trail. Headed to the airport.”

Abandoning the slow legal process, Tina dashed to the airport, her heart pounding with fear of losing Shawn forever.

Navigating through the crowded airport, Tina sought help from security.

“My son, he’s being taken… with that woman,” she explained, breathless and near tears.

The officers were confused and unhelpful. “Ma’am, please, just calm down. We’ll sort it out,” one said, trying to reassure her.

Tina didn’t have time to make them understand.

She maneuvered around them and ran toward Megan. “You can’t take him!” she yelled after catching up to her. “He’s mine.

I know about the nurse, the private adoption… she was at the hospital.”

Megan looked up, startled. “Tina, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, confusion and fear in her eyes.

“He’s my son, Megan. I can feel it.

And the birthmark…” Tina’s voice broke.

Megan’s arms held Shawn tightly. “He’s my son, Tina. I’m raising him,” she responded, her voice trembling slightly.

Tina’s gaze never wavered from Shawn’s face.

“I love him, Megan. I’ve never stopped loving him.”

The words caught in her throat as the raw memory of her loss was too brutal to speak aloud. But Megan understood.

Her face crumpled. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, mirroring the rainstorm raging within Tina.

“I just wanted to give him a good life. He had no one, and I… I was so alone,” Megan finally said, blubbering.

Tina sighed, not wanting to hurt her or risk anything.

So, she came up with an idea. “He needs his mother, Megan. Both of us.”

Megan’s expression turned hopeful as she said, “Shared custody?”

Tina nodded, but she didn’t mean it.

***

The DNA test confirmed Shawn was indeed Tina’s biological son.

Megan hung her head as they read the results at Tina’s home. Her lawyer was present just in case.

“I knew too,” Megan confessed.

“What do you mean?” Tina pressed.

“The fear of losing him… blinded me,” Megan explained. “I saw his birthmark.

But I convinced myself you were wrong, made myself believe it was just a coincidence.”

“Meg…” Tina whispered.

“I’m so sorry, Tina,” Megan sobbed. “I never meant to hurt you.”

Tina hugged her friend, understanding that kind of devastation more than anyone. At first, she thought Megan had been part of that ploy, but she knew that wasn’t the case.

Her friend had been duped, too, by the agency and the criminal nurse.

A full investigation was set in place. But they had other worries. “Did you bring the shared custody papers?” Tina asked the lawyer, ending the hug with her friend as she was finally ready to formalize their agreement at the airport.

Liam would have to grow up with two moms, which was good since Mark had left the country.

They would build something beautiful, not just for Shawn, but for themselves – a family redefined by love and resilience.