His voice broke—but he held it together.
Something Feels Wrong
At first, the baby was quiet.
Then—
A sudden shift.
The child stiffened.
His breathing changed.
And then he cried.
Not softly.
Not normally.
A sharp, piercing cry that cut through the courtroom.
Carter instinctively adjusted his hold.
“Hey, hey… I’ve got you,” he murmured.
But the crying didn’t stop.
Kira covered her mouth, visibly shaken.
A Small Detail That Shouldn’t Matter — But Did
Carter gently checked the blanket.
Then froze.
On the baby’s chest, just below the collarbone, was a distinct birthmark.
An uneven triangle… with a faint curved line beside it.
Carter went pale.
“No… that’s not possible…”
Judge Kline leaned forward.
“What is it?”
Carter looked up.
“My son… has the same birthmark I have.”
Not Proof — But Enough to Raise Doubt
The courtroom stirred.
The judge raised her hand.
“Quiet.”
