“Nova. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but a child has recently come into the care of the emergency foster system. An infant. His mother, unfortunately, died suddenly of a postpartum brain aneurysm two nights ago. We haven’t been able to get hold of her emergency contacts.” She swallowed hard. “The child’s birth certificate lists your father as his parent, making you the infant’s half-sister. From what we can ascertain, you’re also his only living relative.”

White noise rushed into my ears. Just one long, loud buzz as she continued to speak slowly, but I couldn’t hear her over the sound any longer.

My father had a baby. Another child? Jesus, he was like fifty, and he’d been having an affair with someone? Having babies with them?

“Nova?” It was Mr. Lief’s voice that snapped me back to the conversation.

“I’m sorry. I had no idea…” I had no idea, what? I had no idea that my dad, who’d just died, was a cheater? I had no idea who this woman was? That I had a baby something?

Mrs. Fischer’s face was understanding. “I fully comprehend that this is a shock, Nova. Mr. Lief reacted much the same way when the Department reached out to him.”

Mr. Lief was shaking his head, like he was still in shock. That makes two of us, buddy.

Mrs. Fischer, with her gray and brown hair, sucked in a deep breath. “The Department always prefers children to go with a family member. The ties of blood and belonging are important. You’re the only blood family he has.”

My heart felt like it was going to explode in my chest.

“But I want you to know that you aren’t obligated to take him in. I understand this is a shock, especially on the heels of your parents’ deaths, so take some time to think about it.”

“If I don’t take him, what happens?” The words tasted like poison on my tongue, but I had to know.

She nodded her head gently. “He’s only six weeks old, Nova. He’ll stay in foster placement and will probably—most likely—be adopted. Babies have an easier time of it than older children. Although, he does have a congenital heart defect that may make it more difficult—”

“He’s sick?” I was going to throw up.

“He has a congenital heart defect, called an atrial septal defect. It’s nothing to be worried about just yet, but he may need surgery in the future if it doesn’t close on its own.”

“And people won’t want to adopt him because he’s what, bruised fruit?”

Mrs. Fischer shook her head. “I don’t think that will be the case at all, but adoption itself is a costly process, and most families can’t take on the added burden of a medically unwell child.”