Maya's POV
The pregnancy is hard. Twins mean double the sickness. Double the exhaustion. Double the fear.
Every doctor appointment, I expect bad news. Expect complications. Expect the past to poison this pregnancy too.
But the babies are healthy. Growing strong. Defying every curse James Walsh tried to place on this family.
At four months pregnant, Derek returns to New York. Permanent move this time.
"Thailand was good for healing," he explains. "But my daughter is here. My family is here. I need to be here too."
"What about Siri?" I ask carefully.
"We broke up. After everything that happened, after learning about James, after the lies... we couldn't fix it. She's staying in Thailand. I'm staying here."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not. I need to focus on being Hope's father. Not chasing romance or running from pain. Just being present for her."
"She'll love that."
Derek visits often. Takes Hope to the park. Reads her stories. Teaches her to count in Thai.
