THE LOST CHILD

My maternity leave was almost over, and registering my newborn daughter, Lily, at the Social Security office was supposed to be a simple, routine step, given the new "Family Unity Act' s" strict one-child policy.

But the clerk' s words hit me like a blow: "The SSN for your family has already been issued, for a boy named Ryan Todd. Registered by your husband."

Ryan, the son of Sabrina, Matthew' s 'friend' whose husband died. My perfect life shattered.

My husband, Matthew, the man I loved, had sacrificed our daughter' s future, dedicating her only slot to another child, an act that condemned Lily to state custody by her first birthday.