Chapter 9: The Little Girl Behind the Glass
The following morning, I made a decision.
I wasn't going to let Daniel Reed control another moment of our daughters' lives.
I spoke with Dr. Patel, the hospital social worker, and the appropriate authorities.
Maya would remain under medical supervision.
The suspicious medication and records would be preserved.
And nobody would take her anywhere without proper authorization.
Then I called Rebecca.
"Can you stay with Maya?""
"Of course.""
"I'm going to find Lily.""
Rebecca looked at Claire.
"Are you taking her with you?""
I shook my head.
"She can come only if the authorities agree.""
Claire immediately stood.
"I have to go.""
"You lost the right to decide what's best for either child when you started keeping secrets.""
"Marcus, Lily needs me.""
"And Maya doesn't?""
Claire looked toward the bed.
Maya was coloring quietly.
Her drawing showed two little girls holding hands.
One had a blue dress.
The other had a pink one.
I pointed toward it.
"She hasn't even met her sister, and she's already drawing pictures of her.""
Claire began crying.
"She's always wanted to see Lily.""
I stared at her.
"Then why didn't you tell her?""
Claire had no answer.
After the necessary arrangements were discussed, I agreed to travel to the clinic with an investigator accompanying me.
Claire came too.
Three hours later, we reached a modest medical building outside Asheville, North Carolina.
There was no large sign.
No welcoming reception desk.
Just a glass entrance, a security camera, and a small metal plaque displaying:
*REED FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER*
I looked at Claire.
"Is this where she is?""
She nodded.
My hands tightened around the steering wheel.
"How many times have you visited?""
"Once every few months.""
"Every few months?""
"Daniel said frequent visits could upset her treatment schedule.""
I stared at her.
"She's your daughter.""
"I know!""
Her voice cracked.
"I know, Marcus.""
We entered the building.
A receptionist looked up.
"Can I help you?""
Claire spoke first.
"I'm Claire Bennett. I'm here to see Lily.""
The receptionist typed something into her computer.
Then she frowned.
"Dr. Reed isn't expecting you.""
I stepped forward.
"He's expecting us.""
She picked up the phone.
After a brief conversation, she nodded toward a hallway.
"Someone will escort you.""
A young woman in a white coat appeared.
"My name is Dr. Simmons. Please follow me.""
We walked down a corridor lined with framed certificates and photographs.
At the end was a waiting room with several chairs and a glass window overlooking a children's treatment area.
I stopped.
There were three children inside.
Two were playing with wooden blocks.
The third was sitting alone near the window.
A little girl.
Dark brown hair.
Round cheeks.
And the same small dimple Maya had whenever she smiled.
I felt my breath catch.
The girl looked up.
For several seconds, she stared at us.
Then she stood.
"Mommy?""
Claire pressed both hands against the glass.
"Lily.""
The little girl rushed toward the window.
"Mommy!""
Claire began sobbing.
Lily placed her small palm against the glass.
Then she looked at me.
"Who are you?""
I couldn't answer immediately.
Dr. Simmons gently opened the door.
"Lily, sweetheart, there's someone here who wants to meet you.""
Lily took a few steps closer.
I crouched.
"I'm Marcus.""
She frowned.
"Are you Maya's daddy?""
I nodded.
"Yes.""
She looked at Claire.
"But Mommy said Maya's daddy didn't know about me.""
I swallowed.
"That's true. I didn't know.""
"Why?""
I glanced at Claire.
She lowered her head.
"Because the adults made some terrible decisions," I said gently.
Lily studied my face.
Then she asked:
"Are you angry because I'm here?""
That question nearly destroyed me.
I held out my hand.
"No, sweetheart. I'm happy you're here.""
She cautiously placed her little fingers in mine.
Then she smiled.
The dimple appeared.
Exactly like Maya's.
Dr. Simmons brought out a chair.
"Perhaps we should talk before arranging any longer visit.""
I nodded.
But before I could sit down, Lily tugged my sleeve.
"Can I ask you something?""
"Anything.""
"Does Maya know I have her other teddy bear?""
I blinked.
"What teddy bear?""
Lily pointed toward a shelf.
A small yellow stuffed rabbit sat beside a stack of books.
"I have the same one she had when we were babies.""
I looked at Claire.
She was crying silently.
"Where did that come from?""
Lily answered before her mother could.
"Dr. Reed brought it. He said it belonged to both of us.""
I turned toward Dr. Simmons.
"How long has she been here?""
"She has been receiving care through this facility for several years. Her records are being reviewed.""
"Does she have a normal family life outside this building?""
The doctor hesitated.
"That's a question we need to discuss with the appropriate people.""
I understood what she wasn't saying.
Lily had been living under medical supervision, with limited contact outside the clinic.
Eight years.
My mind couldn't process it.
I looked back at the little girl.
"Would you like to meet Maya?""
Her entire face lit up.
"Today?""
I nodded.
"Not today, sweetheart. She's in the hospital right now. But we're going to make sure you get to see each other.""
Lily's smile faded.
"Is she sick?""
"She's getting help.""
Lily looked toward the floor.
Then she whispered:
"That's what happened to me.""
My heart tightened.
"What happened to you?""
She looked up.
"Dr. Reed said the medicine would make me better. But sometimes it hurt.""
I froze.
"Did he give you medicine too?""
Lily nodded.
"Every night.""
I looked toward Claire.
She had gone completely white.
Before I could ask another question, Dr. Simmons hurried into the room holding a tablet.
"Mr. Bennett, I need you to come with me.""
"What's wrong?""
She glanced toward Lily.
Then lowered her voice.
"We've just received an instruction from Dr. Reed. He has requested that Lily be transferred to another facility immediately.""
"Why?""
"He says it's urgent.""
"Where does he want to send her?""
Dr. Simmons turned the tablet around.
The transfer authorization displayed a destination hospital.
But the person listed as the receiving guardian wasn't Claire.
It wasn't me.
It was Daniel Reed.
And beneath his name was a note:
*Transfer must be completed before the biological father arrives.*
I stared at those words.
Then I looked at the girl standing beside me.
Lily was watching our faces.
"Is something bad happening?"" she whispered.
I took her hand.
"No, sweetheart. Not anymore.""
But as I looked at the transfer form, I noticed one final detail.
The request had been entered twelve minutes earlier.
May you like
Daniel knew we were there.
And he was already trying to take our daughter away.
