Days had gone by. Kate was making quick progress on her dress. Every day, the girls arrived exactly at noon to work. They wanted to come earlier, but Bastien wouldn’t allow it—Kate needed to sleep well. Even though Bastien and Lucca had been out a lot on business, Bastien never left before making sure Kate had a good breakfast and her lunch prepared. He always came back at six to have dinner with her. That’s when he would send the girls home—except for Ara, who stayed a bit longer to go over details until Lucca picked her up.

Today was their first 3D ultrasound, and they were excited. Bastien was holding Kate’s hand, but his leg kept bouncing nervously as they waited outside Dr. Rivas’s office. Bastien had chosen her for two reasons: one, because she was a woman—he didn’t want another man looking at Kate—and two, because she was a top specialist. She had successfully treated every rescued woman in their network. None had been left with any lasting trauma.

The doctor came out and calle