Chapter 3 - A BABY BORN WITHOUT HIS NAME
Claire gave birth at 4:18 a.m.
Not in a luxury hospital suite.
Not surrounded by private doctors.
Not with Alexander holding her hand.
She gave birth in a small medical clinic beneath an old church on Chicago's South Side.
Her daughter weighed six pounds, eleven ounces.
She had dark hair.
Tiny hands.
And a furious little cry that filled the room.
Claire held her against her chest.
And wept.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
The baby moved.
Claire kissed her forehead.
“I'm your mommy.”
Evelyn stood beside the bed.
Her eyes filled.
“You did beautifully.”
Claire looked up.
“Mom.”
Evelyn squeezed her hand.
“I'm here.”
Claire smiled through tears.
For years, she'd believed her mother was dead.
Now, the woman who had vanished from her childhood was standing beside her.
Holding her granddaughter.
Claire looked down at the baby.
Then whispered:
“Her name is Hope.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Hope.”
Claire nodded.
“Because that's what she gave me.”
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And in that quiet room beneath the city, Claire Moretti made a promise.
Her daughter would never grow up believing love meant humiliation.
