Chapter 7: The Person Behind the Shadows
The cold air outside felt like a warning.
I stood frozen on my parents’ porch, Emma sleeping quietly against my chest, while my sister held a piece of paper that had somehow changed everything again.
Someone had been watching my daughter.
The words didn’t make sense.
They couldn’t.
I stared at Lauren.
“Who?””
Her lips trembled.
“I don’t know.””
James immediately stepped forward.
“You don’t know?””
Lauren shook her head.
“I know someone was interested in Emma. I know someone was asking questions.””
My grip tightened around my daughter.
“What questions?””
Lauren looked at my father.
Then at my mother.
“They know.””
My parents both looked away.
A terrible feeling settled in my stomach.
“Mom?””
She covered her mouth.
“Claire…”
“No.””
My voice sharpened.
“Not tonight. Not another secret.””
My mother’s eyes filled with tears.
“We were trying to protect you.””
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
I looked around the room.
“But somehow all these secrets always end with me finding out after something goes wrong.””
Dad stepped closer.
“Claire, listen.””
“No. I want the truth.””
James nodded.
“She deserves it.””
Dad took a deep breath.
“Three months before Emma was born, someone contacted us.””
My heart dropped.
“Who?””
“We don’t know.””
“What do you mean you don’t know?””
Dad looked uncomfortable.
“They never gave a name.””
James’ expression hardened.
“Then what did they want?””
Dad glanced at the paper in Lauren’s hand.
“They wanted information.””
“What kind of information?””
My father hesitated.
“About you.””
The porch suddenly felt colder.
“What information?””
“Your pregnancy. Your due date. The hospital.””
I felt my stomach twist.
Someone had been asking about my baby before she was even born.
James looked at my parents.
“And you didn’t tell us?””
My mother started crying.
“We thought it was a mistake.””
“A mistake?””
James’ voice was calm, but there was anger underneath.
“Someone was collecting information about our unborn child, and you thought it was a mistake?””
Dad looked ashamed.
“At the time, it seemed harmless.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
I looked at Lauren.
“And this is why you were involved?””
She nodded slowly.
“I found out because I saw the messages.””
“What messages?””
She held up the paper.
“This.””
I walked closer.
The page contained printed emails.
Most were short.
Simple questions.
How is Claire doing?
Has the baby arrived?
Are they struggling?
But one sentence made my blood run cold.
If the mother cannot provide a stable environment, other arrangements should be considered.
I looked up.
“Other arrangements?””
Nobody answered.
James took the paper.
His face changed as he read.
“This sounds like someone was building a case.””
Lauren nodded.
“That’s what I thought.””
I looked at her.
“And you decided to build your own case too?””
Her eyes dropped.
“I was wrong.””
It was the first time she had admitted it.
Not an excuse.
Not a defense.
Just two words.
I didn’t know what to do with that.
Because part of me wanted to hate her.
But another part remembered the girl who lost Michael.
The girl who never recovered.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Lauren wiped her eyes.
“Because I thought I could handle it.””
James laughed bitterly.
“You thought you could handle someone threatening her child by secretly trying to become the better parent?””
Lauren flinched.
“I know how it looks.””
“It looks exactly like what it was.””
Dad stepped between them.
“Enough.””
Everyone looked at him.
“This family has spent too long hiding things.””
He turned toward me.
“Claire, there is one more thing.””
I almost laughed.
“One more?””
Dad looked toward the hallway.
“I found out who contacted us.””
My heart stopped.
“Who?””
He didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he walked inside.
A minute later, he returned holding a small envelope.
“This arrived yesterday.””
James took it before I could.
The front had no return address.
No name.
Nothing.
Just three words written across it.
She knows everything.
My hands went cold.
“Who is she?””
Dad stared at Lauren.
And Lauren whispered:
“I think I know.””
Everyone turned toward her.
She looked terrified.
“Who?””
May you like
Lauren swallowed.
“The woman who gave Michael to me.””
