Instead, Julian had blocked her again the night before Iris was born, leaving Mara afraid he intended to vanish entirely.
When the call ended, Chloe contacted an attorney specializing in family matters and arranged a consultation before the hospital discharged us.
Our lawyer, Ms.
Bennett, listened without interrupting while we explained the surrogacy agreement, the hospital incident, and Julian's hidden daughter.
She made no sweeping promises, but she outlined which documents required review and what immediate arrangements could keep Iris secure.
She also advised preserving the original letter, the banking records, and any messages showing Julian's conduct and our actual intentions.
I wanted someone to declare Chloe Iris's mother with a single sentence, but Ms.
Bennett wouldn't pretend the law worked that way.
She explained that our specific agreement and the applicable legal process mattered, regardless of what Julian had shouted at the hospital.
Chloe squeezed my hand and said she would complete whatever process was necessary rather than let Iris become another abandoned child.
