For the neighbors.
About what our last name will look like.
“I won’t stop the pregnancy,” I said.
“You can’t do that!” cried Sylvia.
“I’m already doing it.
Then the calls started.
First every day.
Then a few times a day.
“Think about your health.”
“Think about what people will say.”
“Think about us.”
But the words “think about us” gradually began to mean something else.
Michael asked me if I had changed my will.
Sylvia asked me if Todor was entitled to my properties.
Then I learned that they had gone to a notary to ask how to ask for a bar.
The day Emilia was born, they sent me a letter.
Not a congratulation.
Not flowers.
A request for a court assessment of my mental state.
Then I cried.
Not because of the case.
But because I found out that my children no longer see their mother.
They see a key to inheritance.
In the courtroom, Sylvia finally spoke.
“That’s not fair.
I looked at her.
“What’s not fair?”
You have done everything secretly. You haven’t told us about Todor. You didn’t tell us about the procedure. One day he told us he was having a baby.
Because I knew how you would react.
“How could you know?”
Because I know my children.
She swallowed.
I was afraid for you.
Maybe at the beginning.
And now I am afraid!
“From what?”
She looked at Emilia.
From the fact that you won’t be able to. That you’d get sick. That you’d die. That this girl would be without a mother.
Her words hurt me.
Not because they were not possible.
But because they were the most human words she had said since the beginning of the case.
I looked at the baby.
Little Emilia was sleeping soundly.
Yeah, I could’ve died.
I could get sick.
I could not be there for as long as I wanted.
But no parent has a guarantee.
Young parents are dying.
Healthy parents get sick.
Life is not a contract.
“I’m scared, too,” I said softly. “Every day.” But I didn’t want that child because I believe I’m going to live forever. I wanted her because I knew I could still love. And because I have the opportunity to give her a home, care and security.
Todor stood up.
His cane rattled on the floor.
Your Honor, may I say something?
The judge nodded.
Todor turned to Sylvia and Michael.
I don’t expect you to know everything today. And I don’t expect you to forgive me for showing up from your mother’s past. But I want you to know this: I’m not here for Elena’s money. I have my own resources. I have a home. I have a family, though a little. I have prepared everything necessary for Emilia to be protected if something happens to Elena or me.
Michael laughed bitterly.
So you planned everything.
“Yes,” said Todor. “Because unlike what you think, we are not two confused old men.” We are people who have made a decision.
He pulled an envelope out of his bag.
This is a letter I wrote about Emilia. There are also documents for trust fund, education, health care, guardianship. We left nothing to chance.
The judge took the papers.
