Replacing My Daughter's Daddy
I was feeding my seven-year-old daughter, Lucy Langer, when Robert Langer crashed through the front door, reeking of alcohol.
His shirt collar hung askew, and red marks blazed across his neck.
"Audrey," he said hoarsely, "someone spiked my drink at the charity gala. But don't worry. I've already had my lawyer handle it."
I nodded. After so many years of marriage, I knew he only had eyes for me and our daughter. He never strayed.
Or so I believed… until eight months later.
While Robert was away on a business trip, his cruise ship caught fire. The news dominated every channel.
Clutching a sobbing Lucy, I rushed to the hospital, only to find him swathed in bandages, standing outside the maternity ward.
"Becca is pregnant," he murmured. "It was that night at the gala… I didn't think it would happen from just once…"
He gulped.
"When the fire spread, she saved me. But she… got trapped herself."
A newborn's wail pierced the corridor as the delivery room doors opened. Becca White was wheeled out, looking pale and exhausted.
She clutched my sleeve and pleaded desperately, "Audrey… my babies can't grow up without a father…"