Ray had finished all the preparations. Despite the fact that the final step remained — the one that would forever change his life — he was now calmly reading a book. Even after everything that had happened, his passion for reading had not faded.
The crash of shattering glass tore him from the world of the book. Leaping from his chair, Ray rushed toward the sound.
Seeing his mother lying unconscious among the shards, he felt his heart clench with anxiety. Lifting Amy into his arms, he carried her to the sofa and began administering first aid. Her pulse and breathing were normal. Smelling salts quickly brought the woman back to consciousness.
Opening her eyes and grasping what had happened, Amy saw her son's worried face and smiled weakly: "I'm fine. Don't worry so much. It's just fatigue."
"I'll clean up the glass and finish with the dishes. You rest and recover, and we'll go to the hospital. Even if you're right and it's just fatigue, we need to make sure," Ray wrote in his notepad.
Seeing his determined yet worry-filled face, Amy, trying to lighten the mood, said playfully: "Alright, daddy, I understand."
"Sweetheart, I wouldn't mind at all becoming your daddy, but to our mutual regret, I'm far too young for that role," Ray smirked.
At the hospital, news awaited them that came as a complete shock to the Evans family.
"Your mother is fine. She was simply overtired, considering her pregnancy. You should be more careful. Outwardly, everything is fine, but we'll conduct a full examination."
Finishing, the doctor saw the expressions on their faces and understood everything. Coughing, he added: "I'll leave you. I think you both have a lot to discuss."
When the door closed, Ray looked at his mother and wrote:
"How long? And who is the father?"
She thought she was ready to talk to her son about any subject, but when it came to this, she grew embarrassed and flustered. Noticing this, Ray approached and gently embraced her. He wanted to say so much, but he couldn't. He tried to convey everything through that hug.
Understanding him correctly, Amy pulled herself together and gently pulled away.
"Do you remember, a little over a month ago, Jill and I went to a club? I knew it was a bad idea, but you both talked me into it."
"The next morning, I woke up with a terrible headache and the understanding that the other participant was already gone. Honestly, I don't even remember his name."
"Now I understand why you've been avoiding me for almost two weeks. But I need to know one thing: was it all consensual? This man definitely didn't take advantage of you?" — his handwriting became firmer.
"I barely remember that night. I don't even remember if I enjoyed it. But I know for sure that I made the first move. So don't worry."
"Now we need to decide what we're going to do about the baby."
Ray knew that what he had set in motion could turn out to be a one-way ticket. He wasn't a supporter of fleeting affairs, but that guy was incredibly lucky. Ray was even glad about this news: if something happened to him, his mother would have someone worth living for.
Even without that, he would never have allowed her to have an abortion. People don't like to admit it, but genetics determines a lot. He could only hope that the child's father had given him his better half. Casting aside these useless thoughts, which flashed by in a split second, Ray focused on the main thing.
He wrote:
"This is not up for discussion. We're keeping the baby. Even if you regret that night — the child has nothing to do with it. Besides, I've always wanted a little sister."
This was one of those rare instances when Amy felt a burning shame before her son. But deep down, she was infinitely glad for his reaction.
A week later, after all the examinations, Ray — who, unexpectedly for himself, had become even happier about the future child than Amy herself — still noticed doubt in her eyes. But seeing that a spark of life had returned to his own eyes, she understood that the decision to keep the child had been the right one.
However, another blow soon awaited Ray. Amy was called to the doctor. Seeing her son's condition, she asked to allow him to be present during the conversation.
"I'm sorry, but we have some not-so-good news for you. You're having twins. Have you ever heard of conjoined twins?"
Hearing this, Ray barely stayed on his feet. Tears rolled down Amy's cheeks.
"I'm very sorry, but in our country, your children's chances right now are extremely low. I have a colleague in Israel. It's expensive, but real professionals work there. There, the chances not only of survival but of having the opportunity for a normal life for your children are much higher. But you'll have to go there for the entire term of the pregnancy and stay there for a long time after the birth."
Ray desperately wanted to say they agreed, but he couldn't. He had to write:
"Alright. I'll contact the right people. You handle the visa and the packing."
Returning home, Ray began gathering documents for the visa application. Seeing this, Amy grabbed her son's hand, sat him down, and made him look at her.
"I don't know what you're planning, but I'm sure it's something very important. I have no right to drag you down. I'll ask Jill to go with me."
"I really appreciate your concern. But we both know you won't be able to help me in any way. For you, it would just be a waste of time."
It was bitter for him to admit, but his mother was right. Upon learning of the pregnancy, Ray had postponed all his plans. He had almost lost hope of finding those who had taken Lily from him.
But he longed to give battle to those degenerates who hide among people, concealing their inner demons, and make them shudder with fear. Everything was ready, but only his mother could make him quiet his hatred — even if just for a time.
Over the months of recovery, he had assembled a group of like-minded individuals — people like him, ready to step onto a warpath that might become a one-way road. He didn't want to let them down. So, hearing his mother's words, he decided to speak with Jill personally.
"I know you and Frank were planning a vacation, and what I'm asking is far too much. If you refuse — I'll understand. In a few days, my work begins. I'm ready to give it up, but if there's a chance to avoid that — I'd like to use it."
"Kid, don't talk nonsense. Your mother is like a sister to me. I'll gladly help. And you're one of ours, too," Jill said firmly.
"She's right. Honestly, we followed your advice. We talked and decided to find a surrogate mother. So you focus on your business. Jill and I will look after Amy."
"We all understand that being parents isn't easy. But I have no doubt you two will manage."
"If you want to thank us," Jill suddenly said, "think about becoming the godfather of our future child."
"I appreciate your trust," Ray smiled bitterly, tracing the words, "but I think after everything that happened with Lily, I'm not fit for that role."
Jill opened her mouth to object, but Frank beat her to it.
"We understand. But promise me one thing. If something happens to us — take care of the child. You don't have to be there. Just make sure they're alright and grow up to be a decent person. If you can — give them a couple of chances. But don't drag them by the ears if they turn out to be too stupid to use them."
"You can both count on me. But I hope it never comes to that. You two are among the few who truly deserve happiness."