Chapter 8: The Empty Bedroom
I don’t remember running upstairs.
I don’t remember crossing the hallway.
I only remember opening Lily’s bedroom door.
And seeing the empty bed.
The blanket was pushed aside.
Her stuffed rabbit was on the floor.
The nightlight was still glowing.
But my daughter was gone.
“No.””
The word came out before I could stop it.
“No, no, no.””
I searched the room like she could somehow be hiding.
Behind the door.
Under the bed.
Inside the closet.
“Lily!””
My voice cracked.
Rebecca ran in behind me.
Her face collapsed when she saw the empty room.
“Oh my God.””
I turned around.
“You were with her.””
“I was downstairs.””
“You knew someone was outside.””
“I didn’t know!””
Daniel appeared at the doorway.
“Everyone stop.””
I looked at him.
“Stop?””
“My daughter is gone.””
Daniel’s face tightened.
“Look.””
He pointed toward the window.
The lock was broken.
My stomach dropped.
Someone came through here.
Someone had taken my little girl.
I grabbed my phone.
“I’m calling the police.””
Daniel stopped me.
“Wait.””
I turned.
“What?””
He looked terrified.
“Look at the floor.””
I followed his eyes.
There was something near the window.
A piece of paper.
I picked it up.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
Three words.
*“Ask your wife.””*
I looked at Rebecca.
She went pale.
“I don’t know what that means.””
“You better start knowing.””
“Adam—”
“No.””
I held the paper tighter.
“Someone took our daughter and left this for you.””
Rebecca started crying.
“I swear I don’t know.””
Daniel walked closer.
“Adam.””
I looked at him.
“There’s something else.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Of course there is.””
He ignored my tone.
“Before the accident, Rebecca wasn’t just afraid you’d find out about the car.””
“What else?””
Daniel looked at Rebecca.
“She was afraid you’d find out about the custody papers.””
My eyes narrowed.
“What custody papers?””
Rebecca closed her eyes.
“Daniel.””
“What papers?””
She didn’t answer.
I grabbed the edge of the dresser.
“Rebecca.””
Finally she whispered:
“I was going to leave.””
The words hurt.
Not because of the leaving.
Because of everything around it.
“When?””
“Before the accident.””
“Why?””
She looked at me.
“Because I thought you hated me.””
I stared.
“What?””
“You were always working. Always gone. Lily needed you. Everyone needed you.””
“So you were going to take my daughter?””
She started crying.
“I didn’t know what else to do.””
Daniel shook his head.
“You never told him the worst part.””
Rebecca looked at him.
“Stop.””
“What worst part?””
Daniel’s voice was cold.
“The papers weren’t just for divorce.””
I looked at Rebecca.
“What did you sign?””
She looked away.
And that terrified me.
“Rebecca.””
Her voice barely came out.
“I signed temporary guardianship papers.””
My heart stopped.
“You gave someone else control over Lily?””
“No.””
“Then explain.””
She wiped her tears.
“It was supposed to be temporary.””
“Who?””
She didn’t answer.
I stepped closer.
“Who?””
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone froze.
I answered.
“Where is my daughter?””
A woman’s voice responded.
Calm.
Cold.
“You want Lily back?””
I gripped the phone.
“Who are you?””
A pause.
Then:
“Someone who knows what your wife did.””
I looked at Rebecca.
The woman continued:
“She told you about the accident.””
My throat tightened.
“What do you want?””
“To know if you’re finally ready to hear the truth.””
“Where is my daughter?””
Another pause.
Then:
“Your daughter is safe.””
I closed my eyes.
Relief hit me for half a second.
Then the woman continued.
May you like
“But she’s not the child you think she is.””
The call ended.
