The next morning, I called Wendy.
“We need to meet,” I said quietly. “There’s something you should know.”
When we met at a small park near the school, the girls were already running around the playground, laughing as if they’d known each other all their lives.
Wendy joined me on the bench, her brow furrowed. “You found something, didn’t you?”
I nodded. “The hospital records. Irene had twins. She gave one up for adoption the same day Sophie was born.”
She froze, her lips parting slightly. “Oh my God.”
“I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know anything about it. I left Irene alone near the end of her pregnancy. She told me the hospital wouldn’t let me in until after delivery, and I believed her.” I rubbed my eyes, my voice breaking. “And now she’s gone. I can’t even ask her why.”
Wendy placed a hand on my arm. “David, I don’t think she meant to hurt you. Maybe she thought she was doing what was best. Maybe she didn’t think she could handle both babies.”
I nodded slowly. “I know. But that doesn’t make it easier.”
We decided to get DNA tests for both girls. Waiting for the results was the longest week of my life.
Wendy and I sat together when the envelope finally arrived. My heart pounded as she opened it.
Her eyes skimmed the paper, then filled with tears.
“They’re identical twins,” she whispered.
