Chapter 10
What the Lab Can Prove
The independent laboratory reported privately to both mothers and the court-appointed guardian.
Ivy's biological child was the infant Naomi had brought back. Naomi's placement order described the infant still beside Ivy. The result corrected identity; it did not decide custody, attachment, or blame.
Ivy cried with her lawyer in the room. Naomi asked whether both babies could remain in the same hospital until transition plans were approved. No one staged an exchange.
Soren authenticated the protected paper sequence. Mara sealed her notes. Lena paired device events with access logs and payment invoices. Daniel prepared to admit that his emergency design lacked an expiration control.
"Celeste will say you selected the first baby," Lena warned.
"Then I will show the full timeline and accept what remains mine."
He stood near her without reaching. The restraint carried more trust than reassurance would have.
The accreditation panel rejected Celeste's request for a closed delay. Too many records were already under preservation order.
As the live hearing opened, Felix sent counsel one final invoice.
Its description read: Replacement child—Rourke succession matter.