All Chapters of IN THE LIGHT OF FORTUNE: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Dr. Patel confirmed what the home test had indicated: Claire was about six weeks pregnant, due date in late March."Everything looks perfect," she said, showing them the ultrasound screen. "See? There's the gestational sac, and that flicker is the heartbeat."Claire stared at the screen, overwhelmed. That tiny flutter was their baby. A whole person is growing inside her."Is it normal to be terrified?" she asked."Completely normal. You're about to experience the most profound change of your life." Dr. Patel smiled warmly. "But you're healthy, the pregnancy looks good, and you have excellent support. You've got this."They told their families that weekend, gathering everyone at the brownstone for what they announced as "important news."Eleanor guessed immediately. "You're pregnant! Oh my darling, finally!"Elena cried happy tears, hugging Claire tightly. "A grandbaby. I never thought I'd live to see this.""Mom, don't say that. You're doing great health-wise.""I know, sweetheart. I'

The first weeks at home with newborn twins were nothing like Claire had imagined. Every parenting book, every well-meaning piece of advice, every prenatal class had failed to prepare her for the reality of caring for two tiny, demanding humans simultaneously.Sleep became a distant memory, something she vaguely recalled from her previous life. James and Sophia operated on different schedules - when one slept, the other woke. When one ate, the other cried. When both finally settled, Claire and Damian would collapse into bed, only to be jolted awake minutes later by hungry wails or the need for diaper changes."I don't remember what sleep feels like," Claire said one morning - or was it afternoon? Time had lost all meaning - holding Sophia while Damian fed James."Sleep is a beautiful dream from our past lives," Damian replied, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, his hair stood up at odd angles, and he wore the same shirt he'd had on yesterday. Or maybe the

The twins' first birthday arrived faster than seemed possible. Looking back, Claire could barely remember the blur of those early months - the sleep deprivation, the constant feeding and changing, the overwhelming responsibility of keeping two tiny humans alive.But now, at one year old, James and Sophia were becoming real little people. James was cautious and analytical, studying toys intently before playing with them, observing everything with his father's focused intensity. Sophia was bold and determined, pulling herself up on furniture weeks before her brother, shrieking with delight when she accomplished something new."They're so different," Claire marveled at Damian, watching James carefully stack blocks while Sophia gleefully knocked them down."They're individuals. That still amazes me - that we made two completely different people."The birthday party was small and intimate, just family at the brownstone. Eleanor had gone overboard with decorations despite Claire's protests.

The publisher had been patient, but after three years of delays, they were gently pressing for Claire's book manuscript. She'd signed the contract before getting pregnant with the twins, back when she thought she'd have time to write between running the organization and living her life.She'd been adorably naive."I need to actually write this book," Claire told Jennifer over coffee. "The publisher has been incredibly understanding, but I can't keep pushing deadlines forever.""What's stopping you?""Time, mainly. And fear, if I'm honest. Fear that my story isn't interesting enough, that I don't have anything new to say, that people will read it and think I'm just another privileged person now who's forgotten where she came from.""Those are normal author fears. But Claire, your story is exactly what people need to hear - the messy, complicated reality of building a life that includes ambition and family and purpose. Not the Instagram-perfect version, but the real thing.""How do I fi

The twins were six when Claire received devastating news. Her mother's health, which had been stable for years with proper treatment and medication, took a sudden turn for the worse."The cancer is back," Elena said quietly over the phone, her voice steady despite the terrible words. "Stage four. It's spread to my liver and lungs."Claire felt the floor drop out from under her. "What? But you've been doing so well. The doctors said.. ""I know, sweetheart. But cancer doesn't care what doctors say. It came back aggressive and fast." Elena took a shaky breath. "They're saying six months to a year with treatment. Maybe less."Claire drove to her mother's apartment immediately, leaving the twins with Damian. She found Elena sitting in her favorite chair, looking smaller somehow, more fragile than Claire had ever seen her."Mom," Claire whispered, kneeling beside the chair and taking her mother's hands. "We'll fight this. We'll get second opinions, try experimental treatments, whatever it