Part 3: The Truth Tom Could No Longer Avoid
Lily stayed in the neonatal unit overnight.
Tom sat beside her incubator.
He looked shattered.
“I’m sorry,” he said when the screen connected.
“Is she stable?”
“Yes. The doctor says she’s responding well.”
“Stay with her.”
“I will.”
“Rachel, I should have said something to Mom.”
“Yes,” I replied. “You should have.”
“I froze.”
“You didn’t freeze, Tom. You chose silence.”
Tom had spent his entire life managing Margot instead of confronting her. His father had died when Tom was twelve, leaving Margot in control of the family’s real estate company and most of its wealth.
She had paid for Tom’s education, helped him buy his first home, and reminded him of those favors whenever he disagreed with her.
But this was different.
The following morning, the pediatrician told us Lily’s breathing had stabilized. She would need another day of monitoring, but there was no sign of lasting harm.
Later, Tom came back to my room carrying Ethan.
“I called Mom,” he said.
My body tensed.
“What did she say?”
“She said you embarrassed her in front of the hospital staff. She wants an apology.”
“And what did you say?”
Tom swallowed.
“I told her she would not be allowed near either child until she apologized to you and agreed to treat them equally.”
“What happened?”
“She threatened to remove me from the company.”
“What did you say?” I asked.
“I told her to do what she had to do.”
