Chapter 4: The Woman Who Claimed to Be My Mother
“It's time Emily learned the truth about her real family.””
The woman's voice came from the hallway.
I knew it wasn't Mom's.
I knew it wasn't Officer Bennett's.
It was Laura.
Mom grabbed my shoulders and pulled me behind her.
“Don't you dare come near my daughter,” she shouted.
Dad laughed.
It was the same laugh I had heard a thousand times at home. The laugh he used whenever Mom disagreed with him and he wanted her to understand that he considered her opinion ridiculous.
“Rachel, stop making a scene,” he said through the closed door.
“You're embarrassing yourself.””
Officer Harris stepped toward the entrance.
“Mr. Carter, this is a restricted area. You need to leave immediately.””
“I have every right to see my daughter.””
“Not tonight, you don't.””
“I'm her father.””
A second later, Laura spoke.
“And I'm her biological mother.””
I felt Mom's hands tighten around mine.
“She's lying,” Mom whispered.
But something about the way she said it frightened me.
She wasn't simply angry.
She sounded like someone trying to convince herself.
Officer Bennett opened the door just enough to speak to them.
“Both of you need to step away. There is an active investigation.””
Dad immediately raised his voice.
“This is a family matter. My wife has been having emotional problems for years. She has been telling people I'm dangerous because she wants to keep my daughter away from me.””
Mom stepped forward.
“You hit me in front of her!””
Dad's expression changed.
For one brief second, I saw the man who had grabbed Mom by the hair.
Then he looked directly at me.
“Emily, sweetheart, come here.””
I didn't move.
He softened his voice.
“Daddy hasn't done anything wrong. Your mother is confused. Come with me, and I'll explain everything.””
I remembered the overturned chair.
Mom's tears.
The sound of his hand striking my bedroom door.
I moved closer to Mom instead.
Dad's smile disappeared.
“Emily, don't be difficult.””
Officer Harris stepped between us.
“Mr. Carter, leave now.””
Laura suddenly pushed forward.
“Wait! You can't keep us from her. She deserves to know what Rachel did.””
Officer Bennett blocked her.
“Ma'am, one more step and you'll be detained.””
Laura stopped.
Then she reached into her handbag.
She pulled out a photograph and held it toward me.
“Look at this, Emily.””
I could see a hospital room.
A younger Laura was lying in a bed, holding a newborn baby.
Beside her stood my father.
I looked at the baby.
Then at Mom.
“Is that me?””
Mom's face crumpled.
“Yes.””
Laura smiled sadly.
“I was the one who gave birth to you.””
The room went silent.
Dad seized the opportunity.
“Your mother has lied to you your entire life.””
Mom shook her head.
“That's not the whole story.””
Dad pointed at her.
“Tell her, Rachel. Tell her what happened.””
Officer Bennett turned toward Mom.
“Mrs. Carter, do you know what they're talking about?””
Mom looked at me.
“I need you to understand something, sweetheart. Laura gave birth to you. But she made a decision before you were born that changed everything.””
Laura laughed bitterly.
“I didn't make that decision. You stole my baby.””
“That's not true!”” Mom cried.
Dad stepped forward.
“Enough. Laura was young. She couldn't raise a child.
Rachel and I offered to help. Everything was agreed upon.””
I stared at him.
“You said Mom gave birth to me.””
Dad's expression softened.
“I didn't want to confuse you.””
“You lied?””
He didn't answer.
Officer Harris asked Laura to lower the photograph.
“Do either of you have legal documentation establishing your claims?””
Laura immediately pulled a thick envelope from her handbag.
“I have everything.””
She handed it to him.
Inside were hospital documents, an old adoption agreement, and several pages bearing signatures.
Officer Harris examined them.
Then his expression changed.
“Mr. Carter, is this your signature?””
Dad looked at the document.
“Yes.””
“Mrs. Carter, is this yours?””
Mom stared at the page.
Her face turned white.
“No.””
Laura smiled.
“Of course she says that.””
Mom suddenly stood.
“I never signed an adoption agreement. I never agreed to give Emily away.””
Dad's voice became cold.
“Rachel, don't.””
Mom ignored him.
“Laura was unable to care for a child. She was struggling financially. She asked me to raise Emily while she got her life together.””
Laura's smile disappeared.
“You promised me you'd give her back.””
“I never promised that.””
“You said I could visit!””
“You disappeared!””
“I was told you didn't want me near her!””
Mom began crying.
I felt as though the floor had disappeared beneath my feet.
“So who is my mother?””
Mom knelt in front of me.
“I raised you. I loved you from the moment I held you. But I know you need answers, and I won't hide the truth anymore.””
Dad shook his head.
“This is ridiculous. We're leaving.””
Officer Bennett stepped in front of him.
“You're not going anywhere with Emily.””
Dad's jaw tightened.
“You have no idea what you're interfering with.””
Officer Harris glanced at his partner.
“That's enough. Mr. Carter, you're being detained while we investigate the alleged assault and the documents presented here.””
Dad's face changed.
“You can't arrest me for paperwork!””
“No one said anything about arresting you for paperwork.””
As the officers escorted him away, he turned toward Mom.
“You're going to regret this.””
Then he looked at me.
“Remember who your real family is, Emily.””
Laura followed him out.
But before she disappeared around the corner, she turned back.
“Ask your mother what happened the night you were born.””
The door closed.
Mom collapsed onto the sofa.
I sat beside her.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then I asked the question that had been tearing through my mind.
“Mom, what happened the night I was born?””
She looked at me with exhausted eyes.
And finally, she told me.
“Your father didn't just help Laura give birth to you, sweetheart.””
May you like
She swallowed.
“He helped her disappear.””
