“Give him to me,” she whispered, a tired smile on her lips.

The nurse approached first, placing the unmarked baby on the mother’s chest. Melissa closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the scent of powder and milk that emanated from that little creature. But when she opened them again, her gaze wandered. It met the second twin in my arms.

Have you ever had that feeling that something terrible is about to happen, but your brain refuses to process the warning signs? That moment when the air becomes too heavy, pressing against your eardrums?