I LOST MY BABY IN THE DELIVERY ROOM—BUT YEARS LATER, MY SON SAW A BOY WHO LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE HIM… AND THE TRUTH WAS MORE TERRIFYING THAN I EVER IMAGINED

I inhaled carefully. “My son had a twin. They told me he died.”

The boys were still holding hands, whispering as though they had known each other forever.

“What’s your son’s name?” I asked.

She swallowed. “Eli.”

I crouched and gently lifted the boy’s chin. The birthmark was real.

“How old is he?” I asked as I stood.

“Why do you want to know?” she replied defensively.

“You’re hiding something from me,” I said quietly.

“It’s not what you think.”

“Then tell me what it is.”