The autumn wind of Chicago gently caressed Rebecca Hamilton’s face as she left the hospital. A nurse with over ten years of experience, her steps were tired after a long shift, but her heart was light. Tonight, she and her husband, David, were visiting her sister, Amanda.
When she opened the door to her home, the delicious aroma of dinner wafted from the kitchen. David, a lawyer specializing in family court, always greeted her with a smile, no matter how difficult his day of divorce mediations and custody battles had been.
“Welcome home, honey,” David said, embracing his wife while still wearing his apron. “How was your day?”
“Busy, but seeing patients get better makes it all worthwhile,” Rebecca replied, burying her face in his chest. “What time are we meeting Amanda?”
“Around eight. Mark should be there, too.”
Amanda, Rebecca’s bright and sociable sister, worked at a popular beauty salon. Two years ago, she had married Mark Wilson, a hardworking man from a construction company who clearly adored her. Six months after their wedding, Amanda announced her pregnancy, bringing joy to the entire family. Mark was especially thrilled, spending his weekends preparing the baby’s room and devotedly caring for Amanda through her difficult morning sickness.
On the way to Amanda’s apartment, Rebecca reflected on their close relationship. Even after marriage, Amanda consulted her about everything. Now, she called frequently to share her anxieties and joys about becoming a mother.
“She said she wants to talk about baby names tonight,” Rebecca told her husband.
“She mentioned Mark Jr. for a boy and Emily for a girl,” David answered while driving. “I think both are lovely.”
When they arrived, Mark greeted them at the entrance. His face looked tired, but his smile was warm. “Rebecca, David, thank you for coming. Amanda has been looking forward to your visit.”
In the living room, an eight-months-pregnant Amanda sat on the sofa, gently stroking her belly. Her face glowed with a blissful radiance. “Rebecca, David!” she said, trying to stand.
“Don’t strain yourself. Just stay seated,” Rebecca said, hurrying to her side. “How are you feeling?”
“Very well. The baby is so active,” Amanda smiled. “Mark talks to my belly every day. He’s going to be a wonderful father.”
That night, the four of them enjoyed a wonderful time together, discussing preparations for the birth and making plans for the baby, their family bond deep and full of anticipation.
In early December, after a false alarm that sent them rushing to the hospital, the moment finally arrived. On the morning of December 10th, Amanda went into real labor. Mark frantically called the hospital, and they rushed out, contacting Rebecca and David, who immediately followed.
In the delivery room, Amanda bravely faced childbirth with Mark holding her hand, offering words of encouragement. Rebecca and David waited anxiously outside, praying for a safe delivery. Finally, at 3:20 in the afternoon, a healthy cry echoed from the delivery room. Mark burst into the waiting room, his face beaming. “He’s born! A healthy baby boy!”
Rebecca and David shed tears of joy, embracing Mark in a happy, triumphant hug.
The next afternoon, Rebecca and David visited the maternity ward, carrying flowers and gifts. They found Amanda in her room, tired but glowing with maternal joy. In her arms, a small baby wrapped in white blankets slept quietly.
“Amanda, you did wonderfully,” Rebecca said, kissing her cheek. “The baby is so cute.”
“Thank you,” Amanda smiled weakly. “This is Michael. We planned on Mark Jr., but once he was born, Michael just seemed perfect.”
“Michael, what a lovely name,” David said, looking down at the sleeping infant. “Hello, Michael. I’m your uncle David.”
Mark stood proudly beside them. “Look at how small his hands are. But his grip is so strong. Last night, he grasped my finger and didn’t want to let go.”
“May I hold him?” Rebecca asked, her eyes sparkling.
“Of course,” Amanda said, carefully transferring the baby to her sister.
Rebecca, a nurse accustomed to handling newborns, lifted her nephew with practiced hands. The feeling, however, was entirely new. “He’s so small and light, yet I can feel such a strong life force. It’s truly a miracle.” She then passed the baby to her husband.
David received Michael carefully, a bit nervous. “Wow, he really is small.” He gazed intently at the baby’s face, observing his small hands, feet, and features in detail. As a lawyer, his eyes were trained to remember people’s characteristics, and he carefully looked at Michael’s small nose, eye shape, and lips.
Suddenly, David’s expression changed. He frowned, looking at the baby’s face intently once more. A strong sense of unease was spreading through him. Michael’s facial features strongly resembled someone from his memory: a defendant in a bigamy case he had handled several years ago.
It must be a coincidence, he told himself. People can have similar features. But the face of that man, Richard Morgan, was vividly etched in his memory. The distinctive nose, the spacing between the eyes and eyebrows, the shape of the lips—Michael’s features bore too strong a resemblance.
“David, are you okay?” Amanda asked with concern. “You look pale.”
“Yes, I’m fine,” David answered with a forced smile. “I’m just moved by how cute he is.”
However, doubts were growing in his mind. He tried to hand the baby back to Mark. “What a beautiful baby. Mark, you’ll have a happy family.”
As Mark received the baby, David saw the wedding ring on his left hand. He remembered the defendant in that case wore a similar ring. Then, he saw it: a small, distinctive scar on Mark’s wrist. The same scar the defendant had. David’s heart began to pound violently. This was too much to be a coincidence.
“Rebecca,” David spoke in a low voice. “I need to talk to you outside for a moment.”
“Huh? Now?” Rebecca was confused. “Is it urgent?”
“Just a work issue. It will only take five minutes,” he said, forcing another smile.
Once they were in the hallway, David’s demeanor became gravely serious. His face was pale, and his hands trembled.
“Rebecca, call the police. Right now.”
“What? Why?” Rebecca stared at her husband, completely lost. “David, what on earth is going on?”
“Didn’t you notice?” David’s voice shook. “That baby…” He trailed off, unable to finish. “Rebecca, this is very difficult to say, but I think Mark is the defendant from a bigamy case I handled three years ago.”
“Bigamy?” Rebecca looked incredulous. “That can’t be. Mark was single before he married Amanda. We even met his family.”
“That’s the problem,” David continued. “Bigamists often use different identities. Michael’s facial features are too similar to Richard Morgan, the defendant in that case. The nose, the eyes, and even the wrist scar all match.”
Rebecca didn’t want to believe it, but David’s memory, honed in court, was exceptionally reliable. “But if it’s true…” Rebecca couldn’t finish the thought.
“Amanda’s marriage would be legally invalid,” David answered heavily. “And Michael would be considered an illegitimate child.”
Chicago police detectives Johnson and Harris arrived at the hospital shortly after. David explained the Richard Morgan case, where a man was found to be maintaining simultaneous marriages with three different women, using different identities.
“Richard Morgan told all three wives he worked in construction,” David explained. “He used frequent ‘business trips’ as an excuse to move between each home. Mark’s story is the same, his physical characteristics match, and the baby’s features are identical to Morgan’s.”
The detectives returned to the station to check records. They found no criminal record for “Mark Wilson,” but they did discover that one of Richard Morgan’s past aliases was, in fact, Mark Wilson. They decided to proceed carefully, placing plainclothes officers in the ward to ensure the suspect couldn’t flee.
The next afternoon, Detectives Johnson and Harris entered the hospital room.
“You’re Mark Wilson, aren’t you?” Detective Johnson asked politely. “We’d like to ask you some questions for identity verification.”
Mark’s face stiffened. “Is there a problem?”
“A routine investigation,” Detective Harris answered calmly. “Could we see your birth certificate and identification?”
Mark hesitantly produced his driver’s license. When the detectives pressed for more, his attitude shifted. “Actually, I have urgent business,” he said, standing up frantically. “Amanda, I need to go back to the company for a moment.”
“But you said you took the day off,” Amanda replied, looking at him strangely.
At that moment, Detective Johnson showed Mark an old photograph. It was an arrest photo of Richard Morgan from three years ago. “Do you know the man in this photograph?”
Mark’s face turned completely pale. He was visibly shaken. “I don’t know him,” he stammered. “I really am in a hurry.”
“Mark Wilson, or should I say Richard Morgan?” Detective Johnson said quietly. “You’re under arrest on suspicion of bigamy.”
The room fell silent. Amanda stared at her husband, dazed. “What are you talking about?” she finally shouted. “Mark, committing bigamy? That’s impossible!”
Detective Harris gently explained the situation. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but this man is already married to two other women. Your marriage to him is legally invalid.”
Amanda looked at Mark in disbelief. “That’s a lie, right? Mark, this is some mistake! Explain it to me!”
Mark dropped his shoulders in defeat. “Amanda, I’m sorry. The only thing that was true was that I loved you.”
“Loved me?” Amanda screamed through tears. “You have multiple wives and you loved me?”
The police confiscated evidence and took Mark away, leaving Amanda collapsed in tears, with a confused Rebecca and David by her side.
“Rebecca,” Amanda cried out. “Was my marriage fake? What’s going to happen to Michael?”
Rebecca embraced her sister. “It’s okay. We’re here. Michael is your precious child. That will never change.”
One Year Later
In Rebecca and David’s living room, one-year-old Michael toddled across the floor, trying to walk toward his uncle. Watching the adorable sight, Amanda wore a peaceful smile.
The past year had been the most difficult of her life. Mark was convicted of bigamy and sentenced to three years in prison. Amanda’s marriage was declared legally invalid, and she suffered deep emotional wounds. In the beginning, she was lost in despair, tormented by humiliation. But Michael’s existence, and above all, Rebecca and David’s unconditional love, became the force that helped her recover.
“At first, I didn’t know what would become of me,” Amanda said, holding Michael. “But now, I can feel hope for a new life.”
David had provided full legal support, helping Amanda with child custody, child support, and compensation claims. Rebecca, using her nursing experience, supported Michael’s health and helped with child care. The three of them, cooperating to raise a child, created a new bond that transcended conventional concepts of family.
“I really learned this year that family isn’t just about blood relations,” Amanda said thoughtfully. “You and David are Michael’s and my real family.”
Amanda was now working at a new salon, where her colleagues were understanding and supportive. Michael was growing into a healthy, active child, surrounded by love.
“This child has no memory of his father,” Rebecca said, stroking Michael’s head. “But he has many family members who love him. I’m sure a child raised in an environment full of love will become a wonderful adult.”
As dinner time came, the three adults and Michael gathered around the table. Watching her son skillfully use a spoon to eat, Amanda felt a wave of true happiness.
That night, after Michael fell asleep, the three adults sat in the living room, talking quietly. The new form of family they had built was bound by a bond deeper than any legal document could define.
“A real family is a relationship where people support each other in times of trouble and continue to love unconditionally,” Rebecca said. “We’ve proven that.”
Outside, the Chicago nightscape sparkled. In the house where little Michael’s sleeping breath could be heard, three adults held hope for a new tomorrow, their story a testament to the meaning of true family.