“Where are the emergency services?”
“They're coming. I called from my phone before I brought them inside because it was freezing, and the babies were barely moving.”
I rushed to check that they were breathing and warm while Ethan showed me the emergency call on his screen. I immediately called again, gave our address, and followed the dispatcher's instructions.
Then I noticed the envelope.
My hands shook as I opened it.
Inside was a short handwritten message.
Please forgive me. I have no one left. Their names are Lily and Lucas. Please keep them together.
There was no surname. No address. No explanation.
Only two names.
And beneath them, a sentence that made my blood run cold.
If Richard Hayes is still alive, don't let him take them.
I read it again.
Richard.
My ex-husband.
The man who had walked out on us five years ago.
I slowly looked at my son.
“Ethan,” I whispered, “did you tell anyone your father's name?”
He shook his head.
“No. Mom… why would someone mention Dad?”
Before I could answer, sirens sounded outside our apartment.
And suddenly, I was no longer afraid of two unexpected babies.
I was afraid of the secret that had brought them to our door.
“I’M SORRY, MOM… I COULDN’T JUST LEAVE THEM.” MY 16-YEAR-OLD SON WALKED THROUGH OUR DOOR CARRYING TWO NEWBORN BABIES—AND WHAT HE TOLD ME NEXT CHANGED OUR FAMILY FOREVER.
The Names Hidden in the Envelope
The paramedics arrived and examined both babies. They were alive, but they needed urgent medical assessment, so Lily and Lucas were taken to the hospital. Ethan insisted on riding with them, and I followed after informing the police about the note.
