I was a surrogate for my sister and her husband. Two days after the birth, they left the baby on my doorstep and vanished.

“We didn’t want a baby like this. She’s your problem now.”

My knees buckled. I sank to the porch, pulling the basket into my lap. I called Claire, my hands shaking so violently I nearly dropped the phone. She picked up, but her voice was unrecognizable.

“Claire, what is this? Why is Nora here?” I screamed into the phone. “You knew, and you didn’t tell us!” she snapped, her voice like ice. “The doctors told us yesterday—she has a heart defect. Ethan and I talked all night. We didn’t sign up for ‘damaged goods.’ She’s your responsibility now.”