After nearly a year working on a remote construction project in the Canadian Rockies, Ethan Calloway was finally on his way home. He had counted down the days to return to his wife, Rachel, his high school sweetheart and the love of his life.

Ethan had always considered himself a simple man with old-fashioned values. Rachel was the only woman he’d ever loved—or been with—and in his mind, that would never change.

So when his plane landed and Rachel wasn’t at the gate, Ethan assumed it was just a scheduling conflict. Probably stuck at work. He sent her a text: “Just landed. Can’t wait to see you.” No response.

An hour later, Ethan stood on the porch of their cozy suburban home, duffel bag in hand. The lights were on inside, but the place felt… still. Too still.

When he stepped into the kitchen, he froze.

Sitting right in the middle of the table was a baby in a bassinet. A newborn, swaddled in a floral blanket, blinking up at him like he’d just dropped out of the sky. Ethan stood there, stunned—until his eyes landed on two pieces of paper beside the child.

The first note was written in a bold, unfamiliar scrawl:

“You had your fun. Now take responsibility for your kid.”

The second note made his stomach sink even lower. It was from Rachel.

Ethan,

This baby showed up on our doorstep yesterday with that note. I always suspected you fooled around on those trips, but I never pushed the issue—because honestly, I wasn’t exactly faithful myself. But leaving me with someone else’s baby? That’s where I draw the line.

I’ve filed for divorce. I’m gone. Don’t try to find me.

P.S. I waited until I saw your Uber pull in before I left. Don’t worry—the baby isn’t alone. Enjoy your life. I plan to enjoy mine.

Ethan lowered himself into a chair, overwhelmed, heart pounding. “What the hell just happened?”

A soft, hiccuping coo pulled his attention. The baby stretched a chubby arm toward him. Reflexively, Ethan reached out, and the tiny hand latched onto his finger.

He stared at her. “Guess it’s just you and me now, huh?”

A sudden foul smell filled the room.

“…Oh no.”

A frantic search led him to a diaper bag on the floor. Inside was a chaotic stash of bottles, onesies, and—thankfully—diapers. He Googled how to change one, finding a chipper woman on YouTube demonstrating on a lifeless doll.