Chapter 11: The Choice Rebecca Wanted
I read the sentence again.
“I need to know if Daniel will choose the child over me.””
A cold feeling moved through my body.
This wasn’t about discipline.
It wasn’t about parenting styles.
Rebecca had been studying us.
Studying me.
Trying to answer a question she created herself.
Detective Morgan watched my reaction.
“What else does it say?””
I turned the page.
The next entry was dated months earlier.
Daniel protects Lily.
He believes her innocence.
Need to test attachment.
My breathing slowed.
“Test?””
Detective Morgan nodded.
“She was testing you.””
I looked at the folders scattered across the table.
Every moment I had thought was random.
Every argument.
Every punishment.
Every time Lily cried.
It was part of something bigger.
A plan.
A sick experiment.
I flipped through the pages.
April.
Lily cried after being corrected.
Daniel comforted her.
Result: Daniel chooses Lily.
May.
Lily refused to apologize.
Daniel questioned my authority.
Result: Daniel doubts me.
My hands started shaking.
“She was trying to make me pick.””
Detective Morgan nodded.
“Between her and Lily.””
I closed the folder.
“And the kennel?””
He looked serious.
“We believe it was the final test.””
My stomach turned.
“What?””
“She wanted to see what you would do if you witnessed Lily being punished.””
I stared at him.
“That’s insane.””
“Yes.””
I looked toward the stairs.
Where Lily was drawing again.
“She knew Mrs. Carter would see.””
Detective Morgan paused.
“We believe so.””
A horrible thought entered my mind.
“She wanted me to find out.””
Silence.
Because that was the only explanation.
Rebecca had not accidentally been caught.
She had pushed until someone noticed.
She wanted proof.
Proof that I would choose Lily.
Or maybe proof that I wouldn’t.
I stood.
“I need to talk to her.””
Detective Morgan looked concerned.
“Daniel.””
“I need answers.””
Rebecca was sitting in the interview room when I arrived.
She looked smaller than I remembered.
Not innocent.
Just smaller.
“You found the files.””
I sat across from her.
“Yes.””
She closed her eyes.
“I knew you would.””
“Why?””
She looked at me.
“Because you finally started looking.””
The answer made my chest tighten.
“You wanted me to find them.””
“I wanted you to understand.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“You wanted me to see your version of the story.””
Rebecca looked away.
“Daniel, you don’t understand what I went through.””
“Then explain.””
She was quiet.
Then:
“Emma changed me.””
I said nothing.
“She was my whole world.””
“And you hurt her.””
Her face collapsed.
“Yes.””
The admission was so quiet I almost missed it.
“You admit it?””
“I lost control.””
“How many times?””
She started crying.
“I don’t know.””
That answer was worse than a number.
I leaned forward.
“Why Lily?””
Rebecca wiped her face.
“Because she reminded me of Emma.””
“That’s not her fault.””
“I know.””
“Then why?””
Rebecca looked at me.
“Because I needed to know if I was right.””
“About what?””
“That Emma wasn’t the only problem.””
The room went silent.
“You were trying to prove your daughter was broken.””
Rebecca shook her head.
“No.””
“Then what?””
She whispered:
“I was trying to prove I wasn’t the reason Emma died.””
I stared at her.
And for the first time, I saw the real thing beneath her anger.
Not love.
Not protection.
Denial.
She had spent six years running from the truth.
And she had almost destroyed my daughter trying to escape it.
The interview room door opened.
Detective Morgan stepped inside.
“Daniel.””
I turned.
“What?””
His expression was serious.
“We found something else.””
“What now?””
He held up a phone.
“Rebecca wasn’t the only person keeping records.””
My heart sank.
“Whose phone?””
Detective Morgan looked at Rebecca.
May you like
Then at me.
“Amanda’s.””
