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

Then his expression slowly changed.

The warmth disappeared from his face.

His shoulders sagged.

His lips parted, but no words came out.

“Ryan?”

He didn’t answer.

Melissa was still wiping tears from her cheeks.

“Let me hold her,” she said softly.

Ryan shifted the baby.

Then he turned her slightly and looked at her lower back.

That was when I saw real fear on his face.

“Ryan,” I said again. “What’s wrong?”

He swallowed.

For several seconds, he stared at the floor.

Then he looked at me.

“I can’t take her home.”

At first, I thought I had misunderstood him.

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.