Chapter 8: The Missing Memory
I ran back into Maya’s room.
She was sitting upright in the bed.
Her hands were gripping the blanket so tightly her knuckles were white.
“Daddy.””
I moved beside her immediately.
“I’m here.””
She looked over my shoulder.
Checking.
Searching.
Like she expected someone else to appear.
“Where’s Mommy?””
I looked back.
Claire was standing at the doorway.
Maya saw her.
And something in her face softened.
That confused me.
After everything.
After the fear.
After the secrets.
She still wanted her mother.
Claire slowly walked closer.
“Maya…”
My daughter looked down.
“I’m sorry.””
Claire broke.
She covered her mouth.
“Don’t say that.””
“But I made you upset.””
“No.””
Claire sat beside her.
“No, sweetheart.””
Her voice cracked.
“I’m the one who should be sorry.””
I watched them.
And for the first time that night, I saw two people who were both hurt.
A mother who made terrible choices.
A child who was forced to carry them.
I turned to Nurse Nia.
“What did Maya say?””
Nia glanced at Maya.
“Maybe she should tell you.””
I nodded.
“Maya?””
She looked at me.
“You said someone else was there.””
She swallowed.
“At the office.””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
Her eyes moved to Claire.
Then back to me.
“Mommy’s friend.””
Claire froze.
“My friend?””
Maya nodded.
“The woman with the red hair.””
I looked at Claire.
“Who?””
She looked confused.
“I don’t know.””
Maya shook her head.
“Yes, you do.””
Claire went pale.
“No.””
“You said she was helping.””
The room became silent.
I looked at my wife.
“Who is she?””
Claire stared at the floor.
Then whispered:
“Lauren.””
“Who is Lauren?””
Claire didn’t answer.
“Maya’s school counselor.””
I felt my stomach drop.
A school counselor.
Someone trusted.
Someone with access.
Claire covered her face.
“I thought she was helping.””
“You thought.””
The words came out sharper than I intended.
Claire looked at me.
“I know.””
I softened my voice.
“What happened?””
Claire took a breath.
“Lauren introduced me to Evan.””
“Why?””
“She said Maya had anxiety problems.””
“And you believed her?””
Claire looked ashamed.
“She knew things about Maya.””
“What things?””
“Things I never told her.””
A chill moved through me.
“What do you mean?””
Claire looked at Maya.
“She knew about Maya’s nightmares.””
I looked at my daughter.
“Maya?””
She nodded slowly.
“Lauren asked me questions.””
“What questions?””
Maya squeezed my hand.
“About our family.””
My heart sank.
“Like what?””
She whispered:
“If Daddy gets angry.””
I felt the room tilt.
“Why would she ask that?””
Maya looked down.
“Because she wanted to know if I was scared of you.””
I stared at Claire.
She shook her head.
“I never told her you were dangerous.””
“I know.””
My voice was quiet.
“But someone wanted her to think that.””
Nurse Nia checked the hallway.
“Marcus?””
“Yes?””
“There’s something you should see.””
She handed me a tablet.
Security footage.
“What is this?””
“From the hospital entrance.””
I watched.
The video showed Dr. Cole arriving.
Then Claire.
Then me.
Nothing unusual.
Until the timestamp changed.
Earlier.
Before I arrived.
A woman entered the hospital.
Red hair.
Carrying a folder.
My chest tightened.
“Is that Lauren?””
Claire looked at the screen.
Her face went completely white.
“Yes.””
The video continued.
Lauren walked directly to the front desk.
Then she looked around.
Like she was searching for someone.
Then she pulled out her phone.
A message appeared.
Security zoomed in.
The text was blurry.
But one line was visible.
*“He found the recorder. Make sure the father doesn’t leave with Maya.””*
I stopped breathing.
Claire whispered:
“Oh my God.””
I looked at the screen.
At the woman who had been trusted with children.
At the people who had been controlling the story.
Then my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
A message.
One sentence.
*“You’re looking in the wrong direction. Ask your wife what happened before Maya was born.””*
I looked at Claire.
May you like
And for the first time…
she looked scared of the question.
