Page 11 of Secret Baby's Second Shot

I looked up to see Ava standing in the doorway, clutching Bunny. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her little brow furrowed.

“Nothing, baby,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “I’m just tired.”

She climbed onto the couch beside me, snuggling into my side. “Bunny says you should take a nap.”

I laughed softly, wrapping my arm around her. “Maybe Bunny’s right.”

But as I held her close, I knew I wouldn’t be able to rest until I figured this out. For Ava’s sake, I had to.

6

ENZO

Summer sat across from me in the consultation room, her arms crossed tightly. Her expression was wary, as if she were bracing for bad news.

“This isn’t another lecture about asking for help,” she said flatly.

“It’s not,” I replied. “It’s a way to make things easier for you and Ava.”

Her eyebrows lifted in skepticism. “Easier? I’ll believe it when I hear it.”

I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table. “Summer, I know how much Ava’s surgery is going to cost. The numbers are overwhelming. And I know you don’t qualify for financial aid because of a technicality.”

She sighed, looking away. “I’ll figure it out.”

“I know you will,” I said gently. “But there’s a faster way—one that guarantees Ava gets everything she needs.”

She glanced back at me, her gaze narrowing. “What are you suggesting?”

“My family’s medical foundation,” I explained. “It’s designed to help families afford treatments they can’t cover on their own. If we apply, they’ll fund everything—Ava’s surgery, her follow-ups, her therapy—everything.”

Her eyes softened for a brief moment before narrowing again. “And they’ll just… give us the money?”

“There’s one catch,” I admitted.

She stiffened, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. “Of course there is. What is it?”

I took a deep breath. “The foundation prioritizes married couples or two-parent households. It’s a policy they’ve held onto for years, and while I don’t agree with it, it’s the fastest way to secure the funding.”

Summer blinked at me, then let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “So what—you want me to lie? Pretend we’re… together?”

“Exactly,” I said, keeping my voice calm.

“That’s insane, Enzo,” she said, shaking her head.

“It’s practical,” I countered. “All we have to do is convince the board. It’s not forever—just long enough to get through the surgery and recovery.”

“And you think they’ll believe it?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“Yes,” I said. “We don’t have to sell them a love story. We just have to show them we’re working together as a family for Ava’s sake.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and I could see the wheels turning in her head.

“And what happens if they find out?” she asked. “What happens to Ava then?”

“They won’t find out,” I said firmly. “We’ll stick to the plan, keep it simple, and get through it together.”

She leaned back in her chair, letting out a frustrated sigh. “This is ridiculous.”

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