One of them wore a small hospital bracelet around his wrist.
The other one did it too.
I looked at the photo.
My gaze wandered to the bracelets.
The first one said:
COLE CARTER
The second one said:
STEFAN CARTER
I couldn't breathe. "Not..."
The photography got out of control.
He landed on the ground.
Cole looked at him.
Then in Stefan.
Mother?
Stefan stood up.
He came towards us.
He picked up the photo.
Her eyes opened.
- It's me.
He looked at Cole.
- That's you.
The boys looked at each other.
And then Stefan whispered the words that broke the last piece of my denial.
“We are truly brothers.”
Mark covered his face with both hands.
Laura sobbed.
But she didn't cry anymore.
I was too dazed.
Because one question was still burning under my fingernails.
If
Stefan would have survived…
Why did Mark tell me he was dead?
I looked at my husband.
Because?
He slowly lowered his hands.
His face was contorted with guilt.
"I didn't know how to tell you."
What can I say?
He looked at Stefan.
Then in Laura.
And finally, with me.
“That night in the hospital…”
It stopped.
"Your baby has not died."
My heart stopped.
Mark continued.
"He was alive."
I looked at him.
"Where was I?"
Mark's voice dropped to a whisper.
"I handed it in."
The words hit me harder than any physical blow.
I couldn't move.
I couldn't speak.
Cole started to cry.
Stefan looked at his father in horror.
“Did you give me a present?”
Mark closed his eyes.
"I thought I was going to save you."
I moved closer.
"Did you give it to my son?"
“Emma-”
- Have
Did you give away my baby?
My scream echoed through the office.
Mark shuddered.
The director froze.
Laura put her hand in front of her mouth.
