Page 75 of Secret Baby's Second Shot

ENZO

The conference room at my parents’ house was unusually crowded, the table lined with reporters, cameras, and microphones. My mother, Elaine, sat at the head of the table, her calm but commanding presence radiating through the room. My father, Richard, sat beside her, his usual affable demeanor replaced by quiet determination.

I stood to the side, watching as they prepared to address the growing controversy surrounding the Pearson Foundation. Summer sat in the front row, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. I could feel the tension rolling off her, and I resisted the urge to go to her, knowing that my parents’ words were what mattered right now.

“Thank you all for coming,”Elaine began, her voice steady as she leaned into the microphone. “As many of you know, the Pearson Foundation has been at the center of recent discussions regarding its policies and practices. I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify a few points.”

She glanced at Richard, who gave her a small nod before she continued. “First and foremost, while the foundation bears our family name, it is not run solely by us. The board of directors is responsible for all major decisions, including grant approvals and funding allocation. We trust our board members to act with integrity and compassion, but ultimately, those decisions do not always align with our personal values.”

There was a murmur from the reporters, pens scratching against notepads as cameras clicked.

“Second,”Elaine said, her tone softening, “I want to address the story of Summer Bowen and her daughter, Ava. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine the fear and desperation Summer must have felt while fighting for her child’s life. Her story has touched me deeply, as I’m sure it has touched many of you.”

She glanced toward Summer, offering her a small, reassuring smile. Summer’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she nodded faintly in return.

Richard leaned forward, clearing his throat. “Our foundation was created to help families in crisis. To provide hope and resources when they are needed most. And while our policies have served us well in many cases, we now realize that those policies may not always reflect the complexities of real life.”

Elaine pickedup where he left off. “With that in mind, we are initiating a full review of the foundation’s rules and requirements. We believe it is time to modernize our approach, to ensure that no family feels the need to compromise their integrity in order to access the help they need.”

Reporters’ hands shot up, questions buzzing through the room. Elaine gestured for them to hold off as she finished her statement.

“Let me be clear,” she said, her voice firm. “Summer Bowen is not a liar or a manipulator. She is a mother who did what any of us would do in her position—she fought for her child’s life. And as we move forward, we hope to honor her bravery by ensuring that no family ever has to face such a choice again.”

The room erupted into questions,the flash of cameras brightening the room. Richard stepped in, fielding queries about timelines for the policy review and whether the board supported the family’s stance.

I turned to Summer, who sat motionless, her face pale but her eyes steady.

“How are you doing?” I asked, crouching beside her.

“I don’t know,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I didn’t expect them to stand up for me like this.”

“They’re not just standing up for you,” I said, placing a hand over hers. “They’re standing up for what’s right. And that’s because of you.”

The press conferencewrapped up with Elaine and Richard thanking the reporters for their time and emphasizing their commitment to transparency. As the crowd began to disperse, Elaine made her way over to us, her expression softening as she reached for Summer’s hand.

“You were so brave to share your story,” Elaine said, her voice full of warmth. “I want you to know that we’re behind you. Always.”

Summer’s lip quivered, and she blinked back tears. “Thank you. For everything.”

Elaine smiled, pulling her into a brief hug. “You’re part of this family now, Summer. We take care of our own.”

As the room cleared out,I pulled Summer aside, away from the lingering reporters and staff. “How are you really doing?” I asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“I’m overwhelmed,” she admitted, her voice breaking slightly. “But… hopeful. For the first time in a long time.”

I smiled, pulling her into my arms. “Good. Because we’re not stopping here. This is just the beginning.”

She rested her head against my chest, her voice soft. “Thank you, Enzo. For believing in me.”

“Always,” I said, pressing a kiss to her temple.

That evening,as we sat together in Ava’s hospital room, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm for the first time in weeks. The battle wasn’t over, but with my family’s support and the love we’d found in each other, I knew we could face whatever came next.

And as Ava stirred in her sleep, a soft smile on her face, I realized that we were finally building the future we’d fought so hard for.

41

SUMMER

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