Chapter 8: The Little## Chapter 8: The Little Girl Who Called Another Woman Mommy
" Girl Who Called Another Woman Mommy
"Who froze the account?"" I asked.
Marcus ignored me.
He turnedWho froze the account?"" I asked.
Marcus ignored me.
He turned away and pressed the phone against his ear.
"Listen carefully. I need access to that money today.""
A man's voice responded.
Marcus's away and pressed the phone against his ear.
"Listen carefully. I need access to that money today.""
A man's voice responded.
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"No. You don't understand. That money belongs to my family.""
He listened again.
Then he shouted, "I DON'T jaw tightened.
"No. You don't understand. That money belongs to my family.""
He listened again.
Then he shouted, "I DON'T CARE WHAT THE COURT ORDER SAYS!""
He ended the call.
I stared at him.
"What court order?""
Marcus shoved his phone into his CARE WHAT THE COURT ORDER SAYS!""
He ended the call.
I stared at him.
"What court order?""
Marcus shoved his phone into his pocket.
"Nothing you need to worry about.""
I laughed.
"Apparently, everything you tell me is something I need to worry about.""
Vanessa pocket.
"Nothing you need to worry about.""
I laughed.
"Apparently, everything you tell me is something I need to worry about.""
Vanessa approached slowly.
"Emily, we should go.""
Marcus turned toward her.
"Stay out of this.""
Vanessa looked him approached slowly.
"Emily, we should go.""
Marcus turned toward her.
"Stay out of this.""
Vanessa looked him directly in the eyes.
"For fifteen years, I stayed out of everything that mattered. That's how we got here.""
He shook his head.
directly in the eyes.
"For fifteen years, I stayed out of everything that mattered. That's how we got here.""
He shook his head.
"You think telling her the truth makes you innocent?""
"No," Vanessa replied.
"I know exactly"You think telling her the truth makes you innocent?""
"No," Vanessa replied.
"I know exactly what I did. But I'm not going to keep lying.""
I got into my car.
Rebecca climbed into the passenger seat, securing Daniel's carrier.
Before I what I did. But I'm not going to keep lying.""
I got into my car.
Rebecca climbed into the passenger seat, securing Daniel's carrier.
Before I started the engine, I looked at Vanessa through the open window.
"Why did my father leave you the trust?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Because started the engine, I looked at Vanessa through the open window.
"Why did my father leave you the trust?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Because he knew I had copies of the original documents. He wanted to make sure Marcus couldn't change anything without me knowing.""
he knew I had copies of the original documents. He wanted to make sure Marcus couldn't change anything without me knowing.""
"Then why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Marcus threatened to expose the money I helped him move.""
I stared at her.
"And that was more important"Then why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Marcus threatened to expose the money I helped him move.""
I stared at her.
"And that was more important than my daughter?""
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
"No. I was more afraid of losing everything than than my daughter?""
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
"No. I was more afraid of losing everything than I was concerned about what I was doing to you.""
For once, she didn't make excuses.
I drove away.
The address Claire had I was concerned about what I was doing to you.""
For once, she didn't make excuses.
I drove away.
The address Claire had given me led to a quiet residential neighborhood about thirty minutes from the hospital.
Small houses stood behind white fences. Children’s bicycles lay on front given me led to a quiet residential neighborhood about thirty minutes from the hospital.
Small houses stood behind white fences. Children’s bicycles lay on front lawns. Somewhere, a dog barked.
Ordinary life.
I wondered how many ordinary afternoons my daughter had experienced without me.
When we reached the address, lawns. Somewhere, a dog barked.
Ordinary life.
I wondered how many ordinary afternoons my daughter had experienced without me.
When we reached the address, Rebecca looked at me.
"Are you ready?""
I shook my head.
"No.""
She nodded.
"Neither would I be.""
I parked outside a Rebecca looked at me.
"Are you ready?""
I shook my head.
"No.""
She nodded.
"Neither would I be.""
I parked outside a pale-yellow house with a little wooden swing hanging from the porch.
A pink bicycle stood beside the garage.
There were pale-yellow house with a little wooden swing hanging from the porch.
A pink bicycle stood beside the garage.
There were colorful drawings taped to the front window.
One showed a woman holding a little girl beneath a yellow sun.
At the top, someone had written:
* colorful drawings taped to the front window.
One showed a woman holding a little girl beneath a yellow sun.
At the top, someone had written:
My Family.
I couldn't look away.
I rang the doorbell.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
Claire stood there.
SheMy Family.*
I couldn't look away.
I rang the doorbell.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
Claire stood there.
She was in her early thirties, with shoulder-length brown hair and tired eyes.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then she whispered was in her early thirties, with shoulder-length brown hair and tired eyes.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then she whispered, "Emily.""
I nodded.
"Is she here?""
Claire stepped aside.
"Come in.""
The house smelled like vanilla and freshly baked, "Emily.""
I nodded.
"Is she here?""
Claire stepped aside.
"Come in.""
The house smelled like vanilla and freshly baked cookies.
There were toys scattered across the living room.
A tiny pair of pink shoes sat beside the staircase.
On the wall hung several photographs.
One cookies.
There were toys scattered across the living room.
A tiny pair of pink shoes sat beside the staircase.
On the wall hung several photographs.
One showed Claire holding a newborn baby.
Another showed the same little girl blowing out birthday candles.
I recognized the stuffed rabbit.
The white rabbit with the showed Claire holding a newborn baby.
Another showed the same little girl blowing out birthday candles.
I recognized the stuffed rabbit.
The white rabbit with the pink ribbon.
My knees weakened.
"That's her?"" I whispered.
Claire nodded.
"Sophie.""
I looked at her.
"Why did pink ribbon.
My knees weakened.
"That's her?"" I whispered.
Claire nodded.
"Sophie.""
I looked at her.
"Why did you agree to raise my daughter?""
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
"Because Marcus told me you had died.""
I froze.
"What?""
She quickly you agree to raise my daughter?""
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
"Because Marcus told me you had died.""
I froze.
"What?""
She quickly shook her head.
"Not literally. He told me you had suffered severe complications and were unlikely to recover emotionally. He said your father shook her head.
"Not literally. He told me you had suffered severe complications and were unlikely to recover emotionally. He said your father had arranged for the baby to be placed with someone who could provide stability.""
I stared at her.
"And you believed him?""
"I was desperate had arranged for the baby to be placed with someone who could provide stability.""
I stared at her.
"And you believed him?""
"I was desperate to become a mother.""
She looked toward the staircase.
"I'd experienced two miscarriages. Marcus told me Sophie needed a to become a mother.""
She looked toward the staircase.
"I'd experienced two miscarriages. Marcus told me Sophie needed a home, and I believed I could give her one.""
I swallowed.
"Did you know I was alive?""
"Yes home, and I believed I could give her one.""
I swallowed.
"Did you know I was alive?""
"Yes.""
"When?""
Claire closed her eyes.
"Six months after Sophie was born.""
I felt anger rising.
"Six months?""
"I found out.""
"When?""
Claire closed her eyes.
"Six months after Sophie was born.""
I felt anger rising.
"Six months?""
"I found out by accident. Marcus received a message from you while I was holding Sophie. I saw your name on his screen.""
"What did you do by accident. Marcus received a message from you while I was holding Sophie. I saw your name on his screen.""
"What did you do?""
"I confronted him.""
"And?""
"He told me you knew everything and had agreed to the arrangement.""
I stared at her.
"?""
"I confronted him.""
"And?""
"He told me you knew everything and had agreed to the arrangement.""
I stared at her.
"Did you believe him?""
Claire looked ashamed.
"At first, yes. Then I asked to speak with you.""
"What happenedDid you believe him?""
Claire looked ashamed.
"At first, yes. Then I asked to speak with you.""
"What happened?""
"He refused.""
I shook my head.
"Why didn't you contact me yourself?""
"I tried.""
She walked toward a?""
"He refused.""
I shook my head.
"Why didn't you contact me yourself?""
"I tried.""
She walked toward a cabinet and opened a drawer.
Inside was a collection of envelopes.
Some were returned.
Some were unopened.
All had my name written on them.
I picked one up.
The postmark was dated fourteen months earlier.
I opened cabinet and opened a drawer.
Inside was a collection of envelopes.
Some were returned.
Some were unopened.
All had my name written on them.
I picked one up.
The postmark was dated fourteen months earlier.
I opened it.
Dear Emily,
*I don't know if this letter will ever reach you. I need you to know that Sophie is happy and healthy. She is beautiful, and it.
Dear Emily,
I don't know if this letter will ever reach you. I need you to know that Sophie is happy and healthy. She is beautiful, and she has your smile.
Marcus says you don't want contact, but I don't believe him anymore.
she has your smile.
Marcus says you don't want contact, but I don't believe him anymore.
Please call me. Please tell me what you want me to do.
Claire.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
"You tried to tell me?""
ClairePlease call me. Please tell me what you want me to do.*
Claire.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
"You tried to tell me?""
Claire nodded.
"Every few months.""
I looked at the envelopes.
"Why didn't any of these reach me?""
"Marcus said he would deliver them.""
I nodded.
"Every few months.""
I looked at the envelopes.
"Why didn't any of these reach me?""
"Marcus said he would deliver them.""
I closed my eyes.
He had intercepted letters from my daughter's caregiver.
He had allowed me to believe my child was dead while another woman closed my eyes.
He had intercepted letters from my daughter's caregiver.
He had allowed me to believe my child was dead while another woman begged to contact me.
I wanted to scream.
Then I heard a small voice from upstairs.
"Mommy?""
Claire looked toward the staircase.
"Yes, sweetheart begged to contact me.
I wanted to scream.
Then I heard a small voice from upstairs.
"Mommy?""
Claire looked toward the staircase.
"Yes, sweetheart?""
"Who came?""
Claire glanced at me.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Someone very special.""
Small footsteps approached.
Then a little girl appeared?""
"Who came?""
Claire glanced at me.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Someone very special.""
Small footsteps approached.
Then a little girl appeared at the top of the stairs.
She wore a pink sweater and leggings. Her dark hair fell in soft curls around her face.
She was holding the at the top of the stairs.
She wore a pink sweater and leggings. Her dark hair fell in soft curls around her face.
She was holding the white stuffed rabbit.
I couldn't breathe.
She looked exactly like Marcus.
But when she smiled, I saw my own face.
Her white stuffed rabbit.
I couldn't breathe.
She looked exactly like Marcus.
But when she smiled, I saw my own face.
Her eyes.
Her chin.
The little dimple on her left cheek.
She slowly walked down the stairs.
"Hi," she said.
I couldn't speak.
Claire knelt beside her.
"Sophie, remember when I told you eyes.
Her chin.
The little dimple on her left cheek.
She slowly walked down the stairs.
"Hi," she said.
I couldn't speak.
Claire knelt beside her.
"Sophie, remember when I told you that your other mommy might come to visit?""
Sophie nodded.
She looked at me.
"Are you my other mommy?""
My knees gave way.
I crouched in that your other mommy might come to visit?""
Sophie nodded.
She looked at me.
"Are you my other mommy?""
My knees gave way.
I crouched in front of her.
"Yes, sweetheart.""
She studied my face.
Then she asked the question that would haunt me for the rest of my life.
"Why didn't you come before?""
I front of her.
"Yes, sweetheart.""
She studied my face.
Then she asked the question that would haunt me for the rest of my life.
"Why didn't you come before?""
I started crying.
I tried to answer.
I couldn't.
Claire gently placed a hand on Sophie's shoulder.
"Your mommy didn't know started crying.
I tried to answer.
I couldn't.
Claire gently placed a hand on Sophie's shoulder.
"Your mommy didn't know where you were.""
Sophie looked at Claire.
"Did I do something bad?""
I shook my head immediately.
"No, baby. No. You did nothing where you were.""
Sophie looked at Claire.
"Did I do something bad?""
I shook my head immediately.
"No, baby. No. You did nothing wrong.""
She looked back at me.
"Are you going to leave again?""
wrong.""
She looked back at me.
"Are you going to leave again?""
I reached for her hand, but stopped before touching it.
"Only if you want me to.""
She considered that.
Then she placed her tiny hand in mine.
I broke.
I pulled her gentlyI reached for her hand, but stopped before touching it.
"Only if you want me to.""
She considered that.
Then she placed her tiny hand in mine.
I broke.
I pulled her gently into my arms.
She smelled like baby shampoo and cookies.
Her little fingers wrapped around my neck.
For three years, I'd imagined holding into my arms.
She smelled like baby shampoo and cookies.
Her little fingers wrapped around my neck.
For three years, I'd imagined holding a daughter who never existed.
Now I was holding the child I'd been told was dead.
And I couldn't stop crying.
Sophie pulled back slightly.
" a daughter who never existed.
Now I was holding the child I'd been told was dead.
And I couldn't stop crying.
Sophie pulled back slightly.
"Why are you sad?""
I wiped my face.
"Because I've missed you so much.""
She looked at me.
Then she reached up and wiped oneWhy are you sad?""
I wiped my face.
"Because I've missed you so much.""
She looked at me.
Then she reached up and wiped one of my tears with her thumb.
"Don't be sad. I can share my rabbit.""
I laughed through my tears.
" of my tears with her thumb.
"Don't be sad. I can share my rabbit.""
I laughed through my tears.
"Thank you, sweetheart.""
Claire turned away, crying quietly.
We spent the next hour sitting on the living room floor.
Sophie showed me her drawingsThank you, sweetheart.""
Claire turned away, crying quietly.
We spent the next hour sitting on the living room floor.
Sophie showed me her drawings.
She told me about her favorite cartoon.
She explained that she liked strawberries but hated broccoli.
She showed me the little shoes she wore to preschool.
Every detail felt precious.
She told me about her favorite cartoon.
She explained that she liked strawberries but hated broccoli.
She showed me the little shoes she wore to preschool.
Every detail felt precious.
Every detail reminded me of the years I had lost.
At one point, she climbed into my lap and asked whether I knew how to braid hair.
Every detail reminded me of the years I had lost.
At one point, she climbed into my lap and asked whether I knew how to braid hair.
I shook my head.
"Not very well.""
She giggled.
"Claire knows.""
I looked at Claire.
"Would you show me?""
Claire nodded.
We sat together on the couch while she demonstrated how to.
I shook my head.
"Not very well.""
She giggled.
"Claire knows.""
I looked at Claire.
"Would you show me?""
Claire nodded.
We sat together on the couch while she demonstrated how to separate Sophie's hair into three sections.
It was an ordinary moment.
A mother teaching another mother how to care for a little girl.
Except neither separate Sophie's hair into three sections.
It was an ordinary moment.
A mother teaching another mother how to care for a little girl.
Except neither of us knew what we were supposed to call ourselves.
Eventually, Sophie became sleepy.
Claire carried her upstairs.
I stayed in the living room, looking at the photographs.
When Claire of us knew what we were supposed to call ourselves.
Eventually, Sophie became sleepy.
Claire carried her upstairs.
I stayed in the living room, looking at the photographs.
When Claire returned, I asked the question I'd been avoiding.
"Did Marcus ever come here?""
She nodded.
"Several times.""
"Did he bring money?""
"Yes.""
"Did he act like returned, I asked the question I'd been avoiding.
"Did Marcus ever come here?""
She nodded.
"Several times.""
"Did he bring money?""
"Yes.""
"Did he act like her father?""
Claire hesitated.
"Sometimes.""
I looked at her.
"What does that mean?""
"He would play with her, buy toys, take her father?""
Claire hesitated.
"Sometimes.""
I looked at her.
"What does that mean?""
"He would play with her, buy toys, take photographs. But he never wanted her to call him Daddy when other people were around.""
I felt sick.
"Why?""
"He said it would create photographs. But he never wanted her to call him Daddy when other people were around.""
I felt sick.
"Why?""
"He said it would create questions.""
I looked toward the stairs.
"Did Sophie know who he was?""
"She knew him as Uncle Marcus.""
I closed my eyes.
My daughter had been calling her own father uncle.
Then questions.""
I looked toward the stairs.
"Did Sophie know who he was?""
"She knew him as Uncle Marcus.""
I closed my eyes.
My daughter had been calling her own father uncle.
Then Claire walked toward the cabinet again.
"There is something else.""
She returned with a large brown folder Claire walked toward the cabinet again.
"There is something else.""
She returned with a large brown folder.
"Your father gave me this shortly before he died.""
I opened it.
Inside were copies of financial records, legal documents, and several.
"Your father gave me this shortly before he died.""
I opened it.
Inside were copies of financial records, legal documents, and several handwritten notes.
The first page contained my father's signature.
I recognized his handwriting immediately.
*For Emily, when the truth can handwritten notes.
The first page contained my father's signature.
I recognized his handwriting immediately.
For Emily, when the truth can no longer be hidden.
My hands shook.
I read the first paragraph.
My darling daughter, if you are reading this, then Marcus no longer be hidden.
My hands shook.
I read the first paragraph.
My darling daughter, if you are reading this, then Marcus has failed to protect the family we tried to build.
I swallowed.
The letter continued.
I discovered that Marcus and Vanessa had been working together to gain control of your inheritance long has failed to protect the family we tried to build.
I swallowed.
The letter continued.
I discovered that Marcus and Vanessa had been working together to gain control of your inheritance long before your marriage.
I looked at Claire.
She nodded.
"Your father knew.""
I continued reading.
But there is something more important than money.
The before your marriage.
I looked at Claire.
She nodded.
"Your father knew.""
I continued reading.
But there is something more important than money.
The child you were told you lost is connected to a legal agreement that Marcus believes gives him control over your future.
I frowned.
What agreement?
I turned the page.
There was a copy of a document dated three child you were told you lost is connected to a legal agreement that Marcus believes gives him control over your future.*
I frowned.
What agreement?
I turned the page.
There was a copy of a document dated three years earlier.
At the top were the words:
*IRREVOCABLE FAMILY BENEFICIARY AGREEMENT.*
My name appeared.
Marcus's name appeared.
And beneath them was a third name.
Van years earlier.
At the top were the words:
*IRREVOCABLE FAMILY BENEFICIARY AGREEMENT.*
My name appeared.
Marcus's name appeared.
And beneath them was a third name.
Vanessa Reed.
I looked at the signature section.
Then I saw the date.
It was signed on the same day I was admitted to the hospital.
My blood ran cold.
Because according to the document, Vanessa had been granted temporary guardianship of myessa Reed.
I looked at the signature section.
Then I saw the date.
It was signed on the same day I was admitted to the hospital.
My blood ran cold.
Because according to the document, Vanessa had been granted temporary guardianship of my unborn child.
But that wasn't the worst part.
At the bottom of the page was a handwritten note from my father.
*If Marcus ever attempts to claim the child or access the trust, unborn child.
But that wasn't the worst part.
At the bottom of the page was a handwritten note from my father.
If Marcus ever attempts to claim the child or access the trust, remember that the original beneficiary is not the person he thinks it is.
I stared at the words.
"What does that mean?""
Claire shook remember that the original beneficiary is not the person he thinks it is.*
I stared at the words.
"What does that mean?""
Claire shook her head.
"I don't know.""
Then she reached into the folder and removed another envelope.
"This was sealed separately. Your father told me to give it to you only when you had met Sophie.""
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
My her head.
"I don't know.""
Then she reached into the folder and removed another envelope.
"This was sealed separately. Your father told me to give it to you only when you had met Sophie.""
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
My father was sitting in a hospital chair, holding a newborn baby.
My daughter.
But he wasn't looking at the camera.
He was looking directly at the baby.
And father was sitting in a hospital chair, holding a newborn baby.
My daughter.
But he wasn't looking at the camera.
He was looking directly at the baby.
And beneath the photograph was a short handwritten sentence.
Emily, your daughter was never supposed to belong to Marcus.
I looked up.
"What did he mean?""
Claire's face changed.
beneath the photograph was a short handwritten sentence.
Emily, your daughter was never supposed to belong to Marcus.
I looked up.
"What did he mean?""
Claire's face changed.
Before she could answer, my phone rang.
Marcus.
I answered.
"Hello?""
His voice was cold.
"Where are you?""
"Before she could answer, my phone rang.
Marcus.
I answered.
"Hello?""
His voice was cold.
"Where are you?""
"With my daughter.""
There was a pause.
Then he said:
"Good. Now bring her home.""
I looked toward the staircase.
"She is home.""
Marcus laughed without humor.
"Emily, you don't understandWith my daughter.""
There was a pause.
Then he said:
"Good. Now bring her home.""
I looked toward the staircase.
"She is home.""
Marcus laughed without humor.
"Emily, you don't understand. Sophie isn't the child you think she is.""
My heart stopped.
"What?""
He lowered his voice.
"Ask Claire who signed the original birth certificate.""
The call ended.
I turned. Sophie isn't the child you think she is.""
My heart stopped.
"What?""
He lowered his voice.
"Ask Claire who signed the original birth certificate.""
The call ended.
I turned toward Claire.
She had gone completely pale.
"Claire?""
She looked at the folder in my hands.
Then she whispered:
"There's something I never toward Claire.
She had gone completely pale.
"Claire?""
She looked at the folder in my hands.
Then she whispered:
May you like
"There's something I never told you about Sophie's birth certificate.""
told you about Sophie's birth certificate.""
