Chapter 6 - A Son is Born
Four hours later, after an agonizing, exhausting labor, the room filled with the most beautiful sound in the universe—the sharp, furious cry of my newborn son.
They placed him on my chest. He was small, being five weeks early, but he was perfect. He had a tuft of dark hair and tiny, grasping fingers that wrapped tightly around my pinky.
Tears streamed down my face, washing away the bitterness and the anger that had consumed me for the last month.
"He's beautiful, Sarah," Jessica whispered, wiping her own eyes.
A nurse brought over the birth certificate paperwork on a clipboard. "Whenever you're ready, mom. We need his name."
I didn't even hesitate. I filled out the forms in neat, bold letters.
First Name: Leo. Last Name: Vance.
May you like
I gave him my maiden name. He would not carry the Sterling legacy. He would not be tied to the man who had discarded us. I left the space for "Father" completely blank. Marcus would have to fight me in court and demand a paternity test if he wanted his name anywhere near my child, and I knew he wouldn't want the legal exposure.
I looked down at my sleeping son. "It's just you and me against the world, Leo. And I promise you, we are going to win."
