CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR - The Paternity Test

As they talked late into the night, Claire recommitted herself to their relationship and to finding a way to accept Sofia into their lives. It wouldn't be easy, but they would face the challenges together. The next few weeks brought a whirlwind of changes as Mason began spending more time with Sofia. Claire tried her best to be supportive, often joining them on outings to the park or museums. However, Elena's constant presence cast a shadow over their attempts at building a new family dynamic. One sunny afternoon, as Mason and Claire took Sofia to the zoo, Elena appeared seemingly out of nowhere, her smile dazzling. "What a coincidence!" she exclaimed, though Claire couldn't shake the feeling that it was anything but. "I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by to see how my two favorite people were doing." Mason, oblivious to the tension, greeted Elena warmly. "Great timing! We were just about to see the lion exhibit. Want to join us?" Claire bit back a sigh as Elena