I became a surrogate for my twin brother—but when he held his newborn daughter for the first time, his face went pale, and he whispered, “I can’t take her home.” Then he told us to look at her back… and the truth that came out days later left me shaking

My entire body was still trembling from labor.

“What?”

Melissa’s smile disappeared.

“Ryan, what are you talking about?”

He looked between us.

Then, more firmly, he said, “I can’t do this. I can’t take the baby.”

And before I could process what was happening, my brother placed his newborn daughter back into my arms.

I stared at him.

“She’s your daughter.”

My voice sounded thin and unfamiliar.

Melissa stood.

“What do you mean you can’t take her? Ryan, explain yourself.”

He wouldn’t meet her eyes.

Instead, he said quietly, “Look at her back.”

My stomach tightened.

I loosened the blanket and carefully turned the baby.

Near the base of her spine was a small reddish raised area.

It wasn’t large.

But I had seen information about possible complications during the pregnancy.

The moment I saw it, fear went through me.

“Spina bifida,” I whispered.