Chapter 10: The Experiment Rebecca Created
For several seconds, I couldn’t speak.
Amanda’s words echoed through the phone.
“She was trying to prove Lily was exactly like Emma.””
I looked toward the staircase.
Toward the room where my daughter was sleeping.
My little girl.
A child who had spent weeks believing something was wrong with her.
“What does that mean?”” I finally asked.
Amanda’s breathing was uneven.
“Rebecca believed Emma wasn’t the problem.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“Then who did she blame?””
A pause.
Then Amanda whispered:
“The children.””
The word made my stomach twist.
“That doesn’t make sense.””
“I know.””
“No. You don’t understand.””
My voice rose.
“I spent years believing Rebecca was just strict. I thought she was trying to help Lily.””
Amanda started crying.
“I thought that too.””
Silence.
Then she said:
“Until I found Emma’s diary.””
My entire body went still.
“You saw it?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“Rebecca sent me pictures.””
I felt a wave of anger.
“She sent you her diary?””
“She wanted me to understand.””
“Understand what?””
Amanda’s voice became smaller.
“That she thought both girls were the same.””
I closed my eyes.
Rebecca hadn’t seen Lily as Lily.
She had seen her as a reminder.
A replacement.
A second chance.
A test.
“What did Rebecca want from you?””
Amanda hesitated.
“She wanted me to confirm something.””
“What?””
“That Lily had the same behaviors Emma had.””
My jaw clenched.
“She was comparing a seven-year-old child to another seven-year-old child she failed to protect.””
“I know.””
“No.””
I looked around my empty kitchen.
“You don’t know what it’s like hearing your daughter ask if you’re going to leave her.””
Amanda went silent.
Then she whispered:
“I do.””
I stopped.
“What?””
“My biggest regret is leaving.””
The old anger returned.
“You left.””
“Yes.””
“You disappeared.””
“Yes.””
“You didn’t call.””
“I was ashamed.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Shame doesn’t explain abandoning your child.””
“No.””
Her voice cracked.
“It doesn’t.””
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Amanda said:
“Daniel, you need to listen to me carefully.””
“Why?””
“Because Rebecca kept something from you.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
“She wasn’t just watching Lily.””
“What do you mean?””
“She was documenting her.””
I felt a chill.
“Documenting?””
“She created files.””
“What kind of files?””
“Behavior reports.””
I stared at the wall.
“Like school reports?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Amanda answered quietly.
“She wanted evidence.””
“Evidence of what?””
“That Lily was dangerous.””
My hands curled into fists.
“My daughter?””
“She believed Lily had the same darkness she thought Emma had.””
I couldn’t listen anymore.
“Where are you?””
“I can’t tell you.””
“Amanda.””
“I’m trying to protect you.””
“No.””
My voice became cold.
“You left me to deal with this alone. You don’t get to disappear again.””
She cried.
“I deserve that.””
A sound came from upstairs.
A floorboard.
I turned.
Lily stood at the top of the stairs.
She was holding her stuffed rabbit.
“Daddy?””
I immediately lowered my voice.
“I have to go.””
“Daniel—”
I ended the call.
Lily slowly walked downstairs.
“Was that Mommy?””
I froze.
Children always knew more than adults thought.
“Yes.””
She looked at the floor.
“Is she mad?””
“No.””
“Is she coming back?””
I didn’t know how to answer.
So I told the truth.
“I don’t know.””
Lily nodded.
Then she asked:
“Daddy?””
“Yes?””
“Did Rebecca hate me because of Emma?””
The question shattered me.
I knelt down.
“Who told you that?””
“No one.””
She hugged her rabbit tighter.
“I just knew.””
I pulled her close.
“You are not Emma.””
She nodded.
“I know.””
“You are Lily.””
Another nod.
“And you are loved.””
She started crying.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just quietly.
Like she had been holding those tears for a very long time.
That afternoon, Detective Morgan arrived with a box.
“Daniel, we searched Rebecca’s office.””
I looked at the box.
“What did you find?””
He opened it.
Inside were dozens of folders.
Each one had Lily’s name.
My stomach dropped.
“How long?””
“Almost a year.””
I picked up the first folder.
Inside were notes.
February 3.
Lily became emotional when corrected.
February 14.
Lily resisted instructions.
March 9.
Lily showed attachment issues.
I looked at Detective Morgan.
“She was building a case.””
He nodded.
“Yes.””
“Against my daughter.””
“Yes.””
I opened another folder.
A photo fell out.
It was Lily sitting alone at the kitchen table.
Taken without her knowing.
On the back was a note.
“She hides emotions like Emma did.””
My blood ran cold.
Then Detective Morgan pulled out one final folder.
“This one was locked.””
I opened it.
The first page had a title.
Not Lily’s name.
Not Emma’s.
Mine.
“Daniel Hayes.””
I looked up.
“What is this?””
Detective Morgan’s expression changed.
“We don’t know.””
I opened the folder.
May you like
The first sentence was written in Rebecca’s handwriting.
“I need to know if Daniel will choose the child over me.””
