those boys became my world. I had even been quietly paying their school tuition for the past year after George lost a major client—without telling anyone, including Melanie. So when she said I wasn’t “family,” I calmly transferred the tuition bills to her name. She called me days later—furious at first, then stunned into silence when I told her the truth. Eventually, she said something unexpected:
“I was wrong. I want you at the party.”The boys’ birthday happened at our house, just as we’d planned. Melanie helped. No drama. Just love. And when Noah’s friend yelled, “Bye, Noah’s mom!” as we left soccer practice a few days later, he didn’t correct him. He just smiled and took my hand. I may not have given birth, but I’ve shown up every day—and in the ways that matter most, I am their mom.