Chapter 6: The Secret From the Hospital
I stood outside the coffee shop staring at the message.
The night Lily was born.
My mind immediately went there.
The hospital lights.
The smell of antiseptic.
Mark holding my hand.
His tears when he first saw her.
That night had always been the happiest memory of my life.
What could possibly be wrong with it?
I called the unknown number.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then went to voicemail.
I tried again.
Nothing.
“Chloe?””
I turned.
Mark was standing behind me.
“How did you get out here?””
He looked nervous.
Not angry.
Not annoyed.
Nervous.
That was new.
“What happened at the hospital?””
His expression changed.
Just for a second.
But I saw it.
Fear.
“What?””
“The night Lily was born.””
“Why are you asking me this?””
“Because someone just told me you’re hiding something.””
His face hardened.
“Who?””
I ignored the question.
“What happened?””
“Nothing.””
Too fast.
The answer came too fast.
I stepped closer.
“Mark.””
“There was nothing.””
“Then why did you look scared?””
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Then looked away.
That was when I knew.
There was something.
I walked past him.
“Chloe.””
I kept walking.
“Chloe, wait.””
I stopped.
Not because he asked.
Because I wanted to hear what excuse he would give.
“I made mistakes,” he said.
I turned slowly.
“Everyone does.””
“But I never wanted to hurt you.””
I studied his face.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?””
“No.””
“Because right now, I don’t know what’s real anymore.””
His shoulders dropped.
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
He looked down.
“Of losing everything.””
I laughed quietly.
“You’re afraid of losing everything?””
I pointed toward the street.
“You’re the one who helped someone try to take my daughter.””
He had no response.
I left.
When I got back to Zoe’s apartment, she was waiting.
The moment she saw my face, she knew.
“What happened?””
I handed her my phone.
She read the message.
Her expression changed.
“Hospital?””
I nodded.
“What happened when Lily was born?””
I sat down.
“I don’t know.””
Zoe was silent.
Then she said:
“I do.””
I looked up.
“What?””
She looked uncomfortable.
“I never told you because I didn’t think it mattered.””
“Tell me.””
Zoe sat across from me.
“When Lily was born, I came to the hospital the next morning.””
“Yes.””
“You were asleep.””
I nodded.
“Mark was outside your room.””
“Okay.””
“He was arguing with someone.””
“Who?””
Zoe hesitated.
“Megan.””
My stomach tightened.
“What were they arguing about?””
“I don’t know.””
“Zoe.””
She looked at me.
“He said something about a promise.””
“A promise?””
“Yes.””
I felt a chill.
“What kind of promise?””
“I don’t know.””
The room went quiet.
Then Lily walked in rubbing her eyes.
“Mommy?””
I immediately softened.
“Yes, baby?””
She climbed into my lap.
“Are we going home tomorrow?””
I hugged her.
“I don’t know.””
She looked sad.
“I miss Daddy.””
The words hurt more than anything.
Because no matter what Mark had done, Lily still loved him.
Children didn’t see betrayal.
They saw parents.
They saw the people they trusted.
“I know, baby.””
She played with my necklace.
Then she whispered:
“Daddy said Grandma Linda told him I wasn’t really supposed to be here.””
I froze.
Zoe looked at me.
“What?””
I looked down at Lily.
“What did Daddy say?””
Lily frowned, trying to remember.
“He said grown-ups say things they don’t mean.””
My heart started racing.
“Lily, what did Grandma say?””
She shrugged.
“She said some people don’t belong in this family.””
The room went silent.
I felt every piece of the puzzle moving.
Megan.
The guardianship.
The courthouse.
The hospital.
The promise.
They weren’t trying to take Lily because of one dinner.
They had been planning something for years.
My phone buzzed.
Another message.
This time from the unknown number.
No photo.
No document.
May you like
Just one sentence.
*Ask Mark why Megan was listed as Lily’s emergency contact before you were.*
