I didn’t find any of this out until much later. To me, Michael was just a kind man who helped me reach things on high shelves and didn’t mind listening to a pregnant woman complain about swollen ankles. As my due date approached, Michael asked if I had someone to drive me to the hospital when I went into labor. I admitted I didn’t—I’d planned to just drive myself or call an Uber. “That’s not safe,” Michael said firmly. “Give me your number. When you go into labor, call me. I’ll take you to the hospital and stay until you’re settled. No arguments.”

I was touched by the offer, but I protested. “Michael, you barely know me. You don’t have to do that.” He smiled. “I know you well enough to know you’re a good person who deserves support. Let me help. Please.” So I gave him my number, never expecting I’d actually use it.

Part 5: The Delivery Room That Changed My Life
I went into labor at 37 weeks, which is full-term for twins. It was 2 AM on a Thursday morning, and the contractions woke me from a dead sleep. I knew immediately this was it—the babies were coming. I called Michael, half-expecting him not to answer at that hour. He picked up on the second ring. “I’m on my way,” he said. “Pack your bag and wait by the door. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

He arrived in twelve minutes, helped me to his car, and drove me to St. David’s Medical Center, the hospital where Dr. Kim had privileges. He stayed with me through check-in, held my hand during the initial examination, and didn’t leave even when the nurses assumed he was the father and I was too overwhelmed to correct them. The labor was long and difficult—sixteen hours of contractions, pain, and exhaustion. Michael stayed the entire time. He got me ice chips, helped me breathe through contractions, and never once complained or acted like he had somewhere better to be.

Finally, at 6:47 PM, my first daughter was born, weighing 5 pounds 8 ounces. Three minutes later, her sister arrived, weighing 5 pounds 6 ounces. They were tiny, perfect, and absolutely beautiful. The nurses cleaned them up and placed them in my arms, one on each side, and I started crying. “They’re perfect,” I whispered. “They’re absolutely perfect.” Michael was standing next to my bed, and when I looked up at him, I saw tears in his eyes too. “They’re beautiful, Amanda. You did amazing.”

That’s when Trevor and Jessica showed up. I don’t know how they found out I was in labor—maybe they’d been monitoring the hospital records, or maybe someone from my apartment building had seen the ambulance and called them. But suddenly, there they were, standing in the doorway of my delivery room. Trevor looked uncomfortable and guilty. Jessica looked curious and a little smug, like she wanted to see how pathetic my life had become.

“Amanda,” Trevor said awkwardly. “We heard you had the baby. Babies. We wanted to… we wanted to see them.” I looked at him, this man who’d abandoned me when I was pregnant, who’d asked me to terminate my pregnancy, who’d chosen my best friend over his own family. “You wanted to see them?” I said, my voice cold. “The babies you didn’t want? The babies you asked me to get rid of?”

Trevor had the decency to look ashamed. “I know I said some things I shouldn’t have. But they’re still my daughters. I have a right to see them.” Before I could respond, Michael stepped forward. He’d been quiet until now, but suddenly he was standing between Trevor and my bed, his posture protective. “Actually,” Michael said, his voice calm but firm, “you have no rights here. You’re not on the birth certificate. You abandoned Amanda when she was pregnant. And based on what I’m hearing, you asked her to terminate the pregnancy. So no, you don’t get to walk in here and demand to see these babies.”

Trevor looked at Michael like he was seeing him for the first time. “Who the hell are you?” “I’m Michael Chen,” he said. “I’m Amanda’s friend. And I’m asking you to leave. Now.” Something about the way Michael said his name made Trevor pause. His eyes widened slightly, and I could see recognition dawning. “Michael Chen? The venture capitalist? The billionaire?”

Michael smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s right. And I’m going to make you an offer, Trevor. You’re going to sign away your parental rights to these babies. In exchange, I’ll pay you $100,000—more than generous considering you didn’t want them in the first place. Amanda will have full custody, you’ll have no financial obligations, and you’ll never contact her or these children again. Do we have a deal?”

Trevor looked stunned. Jessica was staring at Michael with her mouth open. “$100,000?” Trevor said. “You’d pay me $100,000 to give up my rights?” “I’d pay it to ensure Amanda and these babies never have to deal with you again,” Michael said. “So yes. Do we have a deal?”