“I… I didn’t know,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. The admission was a small capitulation, a crack in her armored exterior.

Caleb took a step forward, his voice firm yet gentle. “Mom, I love you, but Luna is my daughter, and she’s part of our family. We need you to accept that. We want you to be a part of her life, but only if you can do it with love.”

Vivien nodded slowly, the reality of her position sinking in. She looked at me, her eyes searching for something—perhaps forgiveness, perhaps understanding. I offered her a nod, not of victory, but of an olive branch extended.

Dr. Evans, sensing his work here was done, excused himself quietly, leaving the room to us. The air, once charged with tension, began to thaw, making room for healing and reconciliation.