Chapter 8: The Plan to## Chapter 8: The Plan to Take My Daughter
"Nobody is taking Sophie anywhere.""
Daniel's voice was firm.
He was Take My Daughter
"Nobody is taking Sophie anywhere.""
Daniel's voice was firm.
He was standing in the middle of Margaret's guest room, holding my daughter while I stared at the drawing she'd brought standing in the middle of Margaret's guest room, holding my daughter while I stared at the drawing she'd brought home.
Rachel had moved her newborn into the bassinet and was searching through her phone.
My mother sat motionless on the bed.
I home.
Rachel had moved her newborn into the bassinet and was searching through her phone.
My mother sat motionless on the bed.
I looked at her.
"How long have you been planning this?""
Margaret shook her head.
"Emily, I swear I never wanted to take Sophie away from you.""
"Then why did you sign those documents?""
"Claire said she was worried about her.""
"Worried about what?""
My mother hesitated.
"She said you were overwhelmed looked at her.
"How long have you been planning this?""
Margaret shook her head.
"Emily, I swear I never wanted to take Sophie away from you.""
"Then why did you sign those documents?""
"Claire said she was worried about her.""
"Worried about what?""
My mother hesitated.
"She said you were overwhelmed.""
I laughed.
"Overwhelmed? Because I work? Because I raise my daughter? Because I don't spend every afternoon sitting around waiting for someone to tell me how to live?""
"That's not what I meant.""
"Then what did you mean?""
Margaret wiped her eyes.
".""
I laughed.
"Overwhelmed? Because I work? Because I raise my daughter? Because I don't spend every afternoon sitting around waiting for someone to tell me how to live?""
"That's not what I meant.""
"Then what did you mean?""
Margaret wiped her eyes.
"Claire told me that you and Mark were having problems.""
I stared at her.
"Mark and I are fine.""
"She said you had been arguing.""
"Every married couple argues!""
"She said you were considering moving away.""
"That's a lie!""
My mother looked down.
And suddenly I understood.
Claire hadn'tClaire told me that you and Mark were having problems.""
I stared at her.
"Mark and I are fine.""
"She said you had been arguing.""
"Every married couple argues!""
"She said you were considering moving away.""
"That's a lie!""
My mother looked down.
And suddenly I understood.
Claire hadn't simply invented a pregnancy.
She had been building an entire alternative version of my life.
One in which I was an unstable mother, my husband was absent, and my daughter needed rescuing.
Daniel placed Sophie simply invented a pregnancy.
She had been building an entire alternative version of my life.
One in which I was an unstable mother, my husband was absent, and my daughter needed rescuing.
Daniel placed Sophie on the bed beside Rachel.
"Mom, who gave Claire permission to contact the school?""
Margaret didn't answer.
I turned toward her.
"What school?""
Daniel opened the folder again.
There was a printed email from Sophie's preschool.
The subject line read:
**Authorized on the bed beside Rachel.
"Mom, who gave Claire permission to contact the school?""
Margaret didn't answer.
I turned toward her.
"What school?""
Daniel opened the folder again.
There was a printed email from Sophie's preschool.
The subject line read:
*Authorized Emergency Contact Update.*
The email stated that Claire had requested to be added as an emergency contact.
My name appeared at the bottom.
So did Emergency Contact Update.**
The email stated that Claire had requested to be added as an emergency contact.
My name appeared at the bottom.
So did a signature that looked like mine.
I grabbed the paper.
"She forged my signature?""
Margaret shook her head.
"Claire said you had asked her to help.""
"When?""
"I don't remember.""
"Mom, did you personally deliver this?""
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
I felt dizzy.
I'd trusted the school a signature that looked like mine.
I grabbed the paper.
"She forged my signature?""
Margaret shook her head.
"Claire said you had asked her to help.""
"When?""
"I don't remember.""
"Mom, did you personally deliver this?""
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
I felt dizzy.
I'd trusted the school to release Sophie only to people I'd authorized.
I'd never imagined my own mother would help someone bypass that protection.
Daniel took out his phone.
"I'm calling the school.""
He dialed the number printed to release Sophie only to people I'd authorized.
I'd never imagined my own mother would help someone bypass that protection.
Daniel took out his phone.
"I'm calling the school.""
He dialed the number printed on the email.
After several rings, a woman answered.
"Good afternoon, Little Oaks Academy.""
"This is Daniel Hayes. I'm calling about a student named Sophie Carter.""
"Certainly. How can I help on the email.
After several rings, a woman answered.
"Good afternoon, Little Oaks Academy.""
"This is Daniel Hayes. I'm calling about a student named Sophie Carter.""
"Certainly. How can I help?""
"I need to speak with the director.""
There was a short pause.
"May I ask what this concerns?""
"An unauthorized emergency contact request.""
The woman's tone changed.
"One moment, please.""
A few seconds later, another voice came on.
"This is Mrs. Patterson, the school director.""
Daniel explained the situation.
I could hear the director asking him?""
"I need to speak with the director.""
There was a short pause.
"May I ask what this concerns?""
"An unauthorized emergency contact request.""
The woman's tone changed.
"One moment, please.""
A few seconds later, another voice came on.
"This is Mrs. Patterson, the school director.""
Daniel explained the situation.
I could hear the director asking him to confirm Sophie's date of birth and the names of her parents.
Then she said something that made me grab the phone.
"Mrs. Carter, I think you need to come in tomorrow morning.""
My stomach tightened.
"Why?""
"Because Mrs. Hayes was here today.""
I looked at Daniel.
"What did she to confirm Sophie's date of birth and the names of her parents.
Then she said something that made me grab the phone.
"Mrs. Carter, I think you need to come in tomorrow morning.""
My stomach tightened.
"Why?""
"Because Mrs. Hayes was here today.""
I looked at Daniel.
"What did she do?""
The director hesitated.
"She presented paperwork indicating that she was authorized to collect Sophie.""
I felt the room spin.
"Did you release my daughter?""
"No, ma'am. Our staff followed the existing records. But Mrs. do?""
The director hesitated.
"She presented paperwork indicating that she was authorized to collect Sophie.""
I felt the room spin.
"Did you release my daughter?""
"No, ma'am. Our staff followed the existing records. But Mrs. Hayes became quite upset.""
"What did she say?""
The director lowered her voice.
"She said there had been a family agreement and that you were refusing to cooperate.""
I closed my eyes.
"Did she speak to Sophie?""
"Yes. During pickup, she approached her in the playground area. One of our teachers was Hayes became quite upset.""
"What did she say?""
The director lowered her voice.
"She said there had been a family agreement and that you were refusing to cooperate.""
I closed my eyes.
"Did she speak to Sophie?""
"Yes. During pickup, she approached her in the playground area. One of our teachers was nearby.""
My heart pounded.
"What did she tell her?""
"She said she had a surprise for her and that she would soon be spending more time with Aunt Claire.""
I looked at the drawing again.
The little house.
The three figures.
The words OUR NEW FAMILY.
"Thank you nearby.""
My heart pounded.
"What did she tell her?""
"She said she had a surprise for her and that she would soon be spending more time with Aunt Claire.""
I looked at the drawing again.
The little house.
The three figures.
The words OUR NEW FAMILY.
"Thank you," I whispered.
I ended the call.
Daniel immediately said, "We're taking Sophie out of that school until this is resolved.""
Rachel shook her head.
"Don't make any sudden decisions without speaking to the proper authorities. You need to document everything," I whispered.
I ended the call.
Daniel immediately said, "We're taking Sophie out of that school until this is resolved.""
Rachel shook her head.
"Don't make any sudden decisions without speaking to the proper authorities. You need to document everything.""
She was right.
I photographed the forged signature, the email, the drawing, and the note from Claire.
Then I called Mark.
He answered on the second ring.
"Hey, sweetheart. Everything okay?""
I nearly cried hearing his normal voice.
"Mark,.""
She was right.
I photographed the forged signature, the email, the drawing, and the note from Claire.
Then I called Mark.
He answered on the second ring.
"Hey, sweetheart. Everything okay?""
I nearly cried hearing his normal voice.
"Mark, I need you to listen carefully.""
I explained everything.
The fake pregnancy.
The adoption documents.
The photograph of Claire with Sophie.
The guardianship paperwork.
When I finished, there was silence.
Then Mark asked, "Where is Sophie?""
"With Daniel.""
"Is she safe?""
"Yes.""
"Stay there. I'm coming.""
I need you to listen carefully.""
I explained everything.
The fake pregnancy.
The adoption documents.
The photograph of Claire with Sophie.
The guardianship paperwork.
When I finished, there was silence.
Then Mark asked, "Where is Sophie?""
"With Daniel.""
"Is she safe?""
"Yes.""
"Stay there. I'm coming.""
"Mark, there's something else.""
I looked at the forged document.
"Someone has been using your name.""
"What?""
"Claire told the agency that you agreed to let her become Soph"Mark, there's something else.""
I looked at the forged document.
"Someone has been using your name.""
"What?""
"Claire told the agency that you agreed to let her become Sophie's temporary guardian.""
Mark's voice went cold.
"I never signed anything.""
"I know.""
"Emily, listen to me. Don't let anyone leave with Sophie. I'm calling our attorney.""
He paused.
Then he asked, "Is your mother there?""
"Yesie's temporary guardian.""
Mark's voice went cold.
"I never signed anything.""
"I know.""
"Emily, listen to me. Don't let anyone leave with Sophie. I'm calling our attorney.""
He paused.
Then he asked, "Is your mother there?""
"Yes.""
"Put her on.""
I handed Margaret the phone.
She took it reluctantly.
"Hello, Mark.""
I couldn't hear his words clearly, but I could hear his tone.
He wasn't shouting.
That was worse.
After a few seconds, my.""
"Put her on.""
I handed Margaret the phone.
She took it reluctantly.
"Hello, Mark.""
I couldn't hear his words clearly, but I could hear his tone.
He wasn't shouting.
That was worse.
After a few seconds, my mother began crying.
"I thought I was helping.""
Mark replied with mother began crying.
"I thought I was helping.""
Mark replied with something that made her sit down.
"No, Margaret. You were helping someone deceive my wife and endanger my child.""
He ended the call.
Daniel looked at me.
"Where is Claire now?""
I checked my phone.
There was a missed call from an unknown number.
Then another.
And another.
A message appeared.
**Emily, please don't let Daniel turn something that made her sit down.
"No, Margaret. You were helping someone deceive my wife and endanger my child.""
He ended the call.
Daniel looked at me.
"Where is Claire now?""
I checked my phone.
There was a missed call from an unknown number.
Then another.
And another.
A message appeared.
*Emily, please don't let Daniel turn you against me. I love Sophie. I would never hurt her.*
I stared at it.
A second message followed.
*You don't understand what it's like to lose a child.*
Then a third.
**I know what happened to Lily. I know how much she wants a mother. I can give both girls the family they deserve you against me.
I love Sophie. I would never hurt her.**
I stared at it.
A second message followed.
*You don't understand what it's like to lose a child.*
Then a third.
*I know what happened to Lily. I know how much she wants a mother. I can give both girls the family they deserve.*
I handed the phone to Daniel.
He read the messages.
Then he looked toward the hallway.
"I'm going to find her.""
Rachel stepped in front of him.
"Don't.""
"She.**
I handed the phone to Daniel.
He read the messages.
Then he looked toward the hallway.
"I'm going to find her.""
Rachel stepped in front of him.
"Don't.""
"She approached Emily's daughter.""
"I know. But you need to understand something.""
Rachel's voice trembled.
"Claire isn't doing this alone.""
Daniel frowned.
"What do you mean?""
Rachel took out her phone.
She opened an email she'd received the previous evening.
The sender was a woman approached Emily's daughter.""
"I know. But you need to understand something.""
Rachel's voice trembled.
"Claire isn't doing this alone.""
Daniel frowned.
"What do you mean?""
Rachel took out her phone.
She opened an email she'd received the previous evening.
The sender was a woman named Patricia Collins.
The subject line read:
*Final Family Placement Meeting.*
Rachel handed the phone to Daniel.
The message explained that Patricia was an independent family-placement consultant who had been helping Claire explore her options.
It listed three named Patricia Collins.
The subject line read:
*Final Family Placement Meeting.*
Rachel handed the phone to Daniel.
The message explained that Patricia was an independent family-placement consultant who had been helping Claire explore her options.
It listed three objectives:
1. Establish contact between Claire and Lily. 2.
Secure temporary guardianship of Sophie. 3. Arrange a private family transition involving both children.
Daniel read it twice.
"Who is Patricia Collins?""
Rachel shook her head.
"I don't objectives:
1. Establish contact between Claire and Lily. 2.
Secure temporary guardianship of Sophie. 3. Arrange a private family transition involving both children.
Daniel read it twice.
"Who is Patricia Collins?""
Rachel shook her head.
"I don't know her personally. Claire introduced us once.""
"Then why is she arranging a guardianship?""
"She told Claire she could help her build a family.""
Daniel scrolled farther down.
At the bottom was an appointment confirmation.
**Friday, know her personally. Claire introduced us once.""
"Then why is she arranging a guardianship?""
"She told Claire she could help her build a family.""
Daniel scrolled farther down.
At the bottom was an appointment confirmation.
*Friday, 10:00 A.M. — Private Family Consultation.*
The location was Margaret's house.
Tomorrow morning.
The same time written 10:00 A.M. — Private Family Consultation.**
The location was Margaret's house.
Tomorrow morning.
The same time written on the note in Sophie's backpack.
I felt my throat tighten.
"They planned this meeting before the baby shower.""
Rachel nodded.
Then she pointed to another attachment.
It was a document titled:
*Family Transition Proposal.*
The first page described a proposed arrangement in on the note in Sophie's backpack.
I felt my throat tighten.
"They planned this meeting before the baby shower.""
Rachel nodded.
Then she pointed to another attachment.
It was a document titled:
*Family Transition Proposal.*
The first page described a proposed arrangement in which Claire would become a temporary caregiver for Sophie while Emily and Mark underwent what the document called a period of family stabilization.
The second page contained a photograph of Lily.
The third contained a photograph of Sophie.
And the fourth page contained something I couldn't understand.
A list of financial contributions.
Margaret had agreed to which Claire would become a temporary caregiver for Sophie while Emily and Mark underwent what the document called a period of family stabilization.
The second page contained a photograph of Lily.
The third contained a photograph of Sophie.
And the fourth page contained something I couldn't understand.
A list of financial contributions.
Margaret had agreed to pay $25,000.
Claire had agreed to contribute $15,000.
And another person had promised $40,000.
Daniel frowned.
"Who is the third person?""
Rachel zoomed in.
The name was partially covered by a digital signature.
But the company listed beneath it was clear.
pay $25,000.
Claire had agreed to contribute $15,000.
And another person had promised $40,000.
Daniel frowned.
"Who is the third person?""
Rachel zoomed in.
The name was partially covered by a digital signature.
But the company listed beneath it was clear.
*Miller Family Holdings.*
Rachel went pale.
"That's Jason's father's company.""
Daniel looked at her.
"Why would Jason's father be paying money?""
Rachel shook her head.
"He wouldn't*Miller Family Holdings.*
Rachel went pale.
"That's Jason's father's company.""
Daniel looked at her.
"Why would Jason's father be paying money?""
Rachel shook her head.
"He wouldn't.""
"Then who did?""
Rachel opened her contacts and called her brother.
He answered immediately.
"Rachel?""
"It's me. We're looking at the placement proposal.""
There was a pause.
"Where did you get that?""
"Margaret's house.""
Jason exhal.""
"Then who did?""
Rachel opened her contacts and called her brother.
He answered immediately.
"Rachel?""
"It's me. We're looking at the placement proposal.""
There was a pause.
"Where did you get that?""
"Margaret's house.""
Jason exhaled.
"Listen carefully. Nobody should sign anything.""
"Why?""
"Because Patricia Collins isn't who she says she is.""
Rachel looked at Daniel.
"What do you mean?""
"She's been investigated before. She presents herself as a family consultant, but she's been involved in several disputed privateed.
"Listen carefully. Nobody should sign anything.""
"Why?""
"Because Patricia Collins isn't who she says she is.""
Rachel looked at Daniel.
"What do you mean?""
"She's been investigated before. She presents herself as a family consultant, but she's been involved in several disputed private placement arrangements.""
My stomach dropped.
"Is she a lawyer?""
"No.""
"A social worker?""
"No.""
"Then what is she?""
Jason hesitated.
"Someone who makes money by convincing desperate people that she can arrange families.""
Daniel slammed the folder shut.
"Is she placement arrangements.""
My stomach dropped.
"Is she a lawyer?""
"No.""
"A social worker?""
"No.""
"Then what is she?""
Jason hesitated.
"Someone who makes money by convincing desperate people that she can arrange families.""
Daniel slammed the folder shut.
"Is she involved with Claire?""
"Yes. And she has been speaking with Margaret for months.""
My mother began crying again.
Jason continued.
"There's something else. Patricia has already contacted Lily's adoptive parents.""
Rachel closed her eyes.
"What did she tell them?""
"That Claire had agreed to pay for involved with Claire?""
"Yes. And she has been speaking with Margaret for months.""
My mother began crying again.
Jason continued.
"There's something else. Patricia has already contacted Lily's adoptive parents.""
Rachel closed her eyes.
"What did she tell them?""
"That Claire had agreed to pay for a private reunification process.""
Daniel looked furious.
"She can't just buy access to a child.""
"No," Jason replied.
"But she's been telling people that the family has agreed to cooperate.""
I felt my a private reunification process.""
Daniel looked furious.
"She can't just buy access to a child.""
"No," Jason replied.
"But she's been telling people that the family has agreed to cooperate.""
I felt my stomach twist.
"Jason, how do you know all this?""
He was silent for a moment.
Then he said, "Because Patricia contacted me too.""
"Why?""
"She wanted me to sign a statement supporting Claire's claim that she had maintained a relationship with Lily.""
Rachel looked stunned.
" stomach twist.
"Jason, how do you know all this?""
He was silent for a moment.
Then he said, "Because Patricia contacted me too.""
"Why?""
"She wanted me to sign a statement supporting Claire's claim that she had maintained a relationship with Lily.""
Rachel looked stunned.
"Did you?""
"Of course not.""
Then Jason added something that made the room go silent.
"She also told me Claire was planning to announce another pregnancy.""
Daniel stared at the phone.
"Another fake pregnancy?""
"No. She told me Claire was planning to claim that she and Daniel had a child together through aDid you?""
"Of course not.""
Then Jason added something that made the room go silent.
"She also told me Claire was planning to announce another pregnancy.""
Daniel stared at the phone.
"Another fake pregnancy?""
"No. She told me Claire was planning to claim that she and Daniel had a child together through a private arrangement.""
Daniel looked physically ill.
"She was going to tell everyone I was the father of a baby that isn't mine?""
"That's what she said.""
I looked at my brother.
He was trembling with anger.
Then Jason's voice dropped.
"There's one more thing you need to know. private arrangement.""
Daniel looked physically ill.
"She was going to tell everyone I was the father of a baby that isn't mine?""
"That's what she said.""
I looked at my brother.
He was trembling with anger.
Then Jason's voice dropped.
"There's one more thing you need to know. Patricia has already sent someone to collect Sophie tomorrow.""
I clutched my daughter's hand.
"Who?""
Jason answered.
"Claire.""
A loud knock came from the front door.
Everyone froze.
Then my mother's phone lit up.
A message appeared.
** Patricia has already sent someone to collect Sophie tomorrow.""
I clutched my daughter's hand.
"Who?""
Jason answered.
"Claire.""
A loud knock came from the front door.
Everyone froze.
Then my mother's phone lit up.
A message appeared.
*Patricia: I'm outside. Please have the children ready.*
Daniel walked toward the window.
He pulled back the curtain.
A black SUV was parked in the driveway.
A woman in a beige coat was standing beside it, holding a leather folder.
And behindPatricia: I'm outside. Please have the children ready.**
Daniel walked toward the window.
He pulled back the curtain.
A black SUV was parked in the driveway.
A woman in a beige coat was standing beside it, holding a leather folder.
And behind her, getting out of a white sedan, was Claire.
She was no longer wearing the pink maternity dress.
She was wearing a cream-colored blouse and carrying a small pink backpack.
The same kind of backpack Sophie used for preschool.
Claire looked directly at the house.
her, getting out of a white sedan, was Claire.
She was no longer wearing the pink maternity dress.
She was wearing a cream-colored blouse and carrying a small pink backpack.
The same kind of backpack Sophie used for preschool.
Claire looked directly at the house.
Then she smiled.
Not at me.
At Sophie.
And my daughter whispered:
"Mommy, that's the bag Aunt Claire said she bought for my new room.""
I pulled Sophie behind me.
Daniel lockedThen she smiled.
Not at me.
At Sophie.
And my daughter whispered:
"Mommy, that's the bag Aunt Claire said she bought for my new room.""
I pulled Sophie behind me.
Daniel locked the front door.
And for the first time in my life, I was afraid of what my own family might do.
May you like
the front door.
And for the first time in my life, I was afraid of what my own family might do.
