Chapter 13: The Night They Tried to Take My Children
I was halfway across the hospital parking lot when the school called again.
"Mrs. Mitchell, please don't panic," Sandra said.
"Is Lily still there?""
"Yes. She's in the principal's office with two staff members. Your husband and sister are insisting they have permission to collect her.""
"Do not release her. I'm coming.""
Sandra hesitated.
"There's something you should know. Your husband presented a notarized authorization bearing your signature.""
I gripped my phone.
"That signature is forged.""
"Understood. We're waiting for confirmation from our district office.""
I turned toward Evelyn.
"Drive.""
She grabbed her keys.
Michael and Thomas followed us.
Nobody spoke during the drive.
My mind was racing through every possible disaster.
What if Daniel had already reached Mia and Chloe?
What if Vanessa had taken Sophie somewhere?
What if the forged documents were convincing enough to make someone believe they had a right to my children?
When we arrived, Daniel was standing outside the school office.
Vanessa stood beside him, holding a leather folder.
Lily was visible through the glass door.
She was sitting on a chair, clutching her stuffed elephant.
The moment she saw me, she jumped up.
"Mommy!""
I rushed inside.
Sandra opened the door.
Lily ran straight into my arms.
"You're here!""
I kissed her hair.
"Of course I'm here, sweetheart.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Laura, stop making this difficult.""
I turned.
"Get away from my daughter.""
He held up a document.
"This is a temporary parental authorization. You signed it.""
"I didn't.""
Vanessa smiled.
"Maybe you don't remember. You've been under considerable stress.""
Evelyn stepped between us.
"Neither of you has produced a court order granting you exclusive custody or authority to collect this child.""
Daniel frowned.
"I'm her father.""
"And Mrs. Mitchell is her mother," Evelyn replied.
"The school is entitled to follow its safeguarding procedures.""
Vanessa opened her folder.
"Then perhaps the school should see this.""
She produced a document showing a supposed emergency guardianship arrangement.
The signature at the bottom was mine.
I recognized the handwriting.
It was an almost perfect imitation.
But something was wrong.
I leaned closer.
The date was printed in a format I hadn't used in years.
"That's not my signature.""
Vanessa sighed.
"Laura, please.""
I looked at Sandra.
"Please preserve this document. I want a copy for my attorney.""
Daniel stepped closer.
"You don't understand what's happening.""
"No, Daniel. I understand perfectly.""
I pointed toward Lily.
"She is five years old. She was left on a freezing floor while you slept with my sister. You forged documents to take her from me. And now you're standing in her school pretending you're the responsible parent.""
His face reddened.
"Watch your mouth.""
Lily grabbed my coat.
"Mommy, please don't fight.""
I knelt.
"Nobody is going to hurt you, baby.""
Then she whispered something.
"Aunt Vanessa told me Daddy would take me to a new house.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"Which house?""
She didn't answer.
Thomas stepped forward.
"The house Laura owns?""
Daniel turned sharply.
"Stay out of this.""
Thomas placed a document on the reception desk.
"Your company attempted to purchase that property using my business authorization. I have formally withdrawn that authority.""
Daniel's face changed.
"You can't do that.""
"I already did.""
Vanessa looked at Thomas.
"You promised us.""
Thomas shook his head.
"I promised to help find my daughters. I never promised to help you steal their lives.""
Daniel lunged toward the document.
Evelyn immediately called the school security officer.
Within seconds, two staff members stepped between them.
Then my phone rang.
Chloe.
I answered.
"Sweetheart?""
"Mom, where are you?""
"At Lily's school. Are you with Mia?""
"Yes. We're at Uncle Michael's.""
"Good. Stay there.""
Chloe lowered her voice.
"Mom, Aunt Vanessa called me.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did she say?""
"She said if I didn't tell the judge tomorrow that you were a bad mother, she would tell everyone something about my birth.""
I closed my eyes.
"Chloe, you don't have to tell anyone anything you're uncomfortable discussing.""
"But Mom, I want to know the truth.""
I looked at Thomas.
He nodded gently.
"We'll tell you everything, sweetheart. Together.""
Then Chloe whispered:
"There's something else.""
"What?""
"Dad left a box in his office. I opened it.""
My heart started pounding.
"What was inside?""
"Photographs. Letters. And a little hospital bracelet.""
I swallowed.
"What did the bracelet say?""
She read the name.
"Baby Girl Bennett.""
Thomas closed his eyes.
Chloe continued.
"Mom, there was another photograph. It showed Aunt Vanessa holding a baby, but the baby had a different hospital bracelet.""
I looked at Evelyn.
"Can you send me the photograph?""
"Yes.""
A moment later, it appeared on my phone.
The photograph showed Vanessa holding a newborn baby.
On the baby's wrist was a hospital bracelet.
The name was Sophie.
But beneath the photograph was a handwritten note.
*Not the original child.*
I stared at the words.
"What does that mean?""
Thomas took the phone.
His expression changed.
"Laura, I think we need to find the original hospital records.""
Before I could respond, Vanessa suddenly began crying.
Not quietly.
Loudly.
She sank into a chair and covered her face.
"Fine! You want the truth? I'll tell you everything!""
Daniel grabbed her arm.
"Don't.""
She pulled away.
"Don't tell me what to do anymore!""
The room went silent.
Vanessa looked directly at me.
"Sophie wasn't the only baby I took.""
I felt my blood turn cold.
"What are you talking about?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Your father knew. Daniel knew. Thomas knew.""
She looked toward Lily.
May you like
Then she whispered:
"One of your daughters isn't the child you think she is.""
