diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 220a328..6a4e646 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,14 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html)
 (pre-1.0: minor bumps may include breaking changes to the sim's behavior).
 
+## [0.20.3] - 2026-07-07
+
+### Fixed
+- `aci-sim graph`: border leaves now share the LEAF row (placed to its
+  right), matching autoACI's topology view — the previous separate
+  border-leaf tier under the leaves read as a bogus three-tier
+  "leaf under leaf" hierarchy. README diagram regenerated.
+
 ## [0.20.2] - 2026-07-07
 
 ### Fixed
diff --git a/aci_sim/graph.py b/aci_sim/graph.py
index dda7237..545275c 100644
--- a/aci_sim/graph.py
+++ b/aci_sim/graph.py
@@ -166,8 +166,11 @@ def _layout(graph: Graph, topo: Topology) -> None:
     """Hand-computed tiered ACI hierarchy layout (mirrors autoACI's preset layout).
 
     Tiers (top to bottom): ISN cloud (multi-site only) -> spine -> leaf ->
-    border-leaf -> controller. Sites are spread side by side; each tier's
-    nodes are centered within their site's horizontal band.
+    controller. Border leaves share the LEAF row (placed to its right) —
+    exactly like autoACI's topology view: a separate border-leaf tier under
+    the leaves reads as a bogus three-tier "leaf under leaf" hierarchy.
+    Sites are spread side by side; each tier's nodes are centered within
+    their site's horizontal band.
     """
     site_names = [s.name for s in topo.sites]
     multi_site = len(site_names) > 1
@@ -194,16 +197,16 @@ def _layout(graph: Graph, topo: Topology) -> None:
     y_isn = 0.0
     y_spine = V_GAP * 1 if not multi_site else V_GAP * 1.6
     y_leaf = y_spine + V_GAP
-    y_border = y_leaf + V_GAP
-    y_ctrl = y_border + V_GAP
+    y_ctrl = y_leaf + V_GAP
 
     for idx, name in enumerate(site_names):
         site_x = idx * SITE_GAP + idx * H_GAP * 2  # extra spread accounts for wide tiers
         tiers = by_site[name]
         # Recompute site_x based on the widest tier so sites don't overlap.
         place_row(tiers["spine"], site_x, y_spine)
-        place_row(tiers["leaf"], site_x, y_leaf)
-        place_row(tiers["border-leaf"], site_x, y_border)
+        # Leaves + border leaves share one row (borders to the right, i.e.
+        # ascending node-id order), mirroring autoACI's single leaf tier.
+        place_row(tiers["leaf"] + tiers["border-leaf"], site_x, y_leaf)
         place_row(tiers["controller"], site_x, y_ctrl)
 
     # Second pass: re-center each site block using the actual widest tier so
diff --git a/docs/images/topology.png b/docs/images/topology.png
index e8ab977..b34af25 100644
Binary files a/docs/images/topology.png and b/docs/images/topology.png differ
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 57e27b0..22a4c7a 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [project]
 name = "aci-sim"
-version = "0.20.2"
+version = "0.20.3"
 description = "Faithful REST simulator of a 2-site Cisco ACI fabric (per-site APIC + ND/NDO)"
 readme = "README.md"
 license = "PolyForm-Noncommercial-1.0.0"