Chapter 8: The Girl Who## Chapter 8: The Girl Who Called Another Woman Mother Called Another Woman Mother
I watched Brielle's video six times.
Every time, the same image appeared
I watched Brielle's video six times.
Every time, the same image appeared.
Hope standing beside her.
The same girl whose photograph I had carried in my pocket for years without.
Hope standing beside her.
The same girl whose photograph I had carried in my pocket for years without knowing she existed.
The same daughter whose first birthday I had missed.
Her seventeenth birthday.
Her first day of school.
Every moment knowing she existed.
The same daughter whose first birthday I had missed.
Her seventeenth birthday.
Her first day of school.
Every moment.
Brielle had been there.
And Hope believed she was her mother.
I threw my phone onto the table.
“She.
Brielle had been there.
And Hope believed she was her mother.
I threw my phone onto the table.
“She has spent seventeen years pretending to be that girl's mother.””
Detective Reynolds remained calm.
“Mr. Hayes, I understand you're has spent seventeen years pretending to be that girl's mother.””
Detective Reynolds remained calm.
“Mr. Hayes, I understand you're angry, but we need to approach this carefully.””
“Carefully? She's taking my daughter out of the country!””
“We have officers monitoring the airports angry, but we need to approach this carefully.””
“Carefully? She's taking my daughter out of the country!””
“We have officers monitoring the airports.””
Hannah sat beside me, gripping a paper cup of water.
“She won't take Hope.””
Hannah sat beside me, gripping a paper cup of water.
“She won't take Hope through a commercial airport.””
The detective looked at her.
“Why do you say that?””
“Because Richard owns a private hang through a commercial airport.””
The detective looked at her.
“Why do you say that?””
“Because Richard owns a private hangar. He used it when he moved me between facilities.””
Reynolds immediately wrote something down.
“Where?””
“North of the city. Nearar. He used it when he moved me between facilities.””
Reynolds immediately wrote something down.
“Where?””
“North of the city. Near the old industrial airfield.””
Daniel stood.
“I know that place. There's a private aviation company registered under one of the old industrial airfield.””
Daniel stood.
“I know that place. There's a private aviation company registered under one of Richard's shell businesses.””
The detective nodded.
“I'll have my team investigate.””
I looked toward Hannah.
“How much time Richard's shell businesses.””
The detective nodded.
“I'll have my team investigate.””
I looked toward Hannah.
“How much time do we have?””
She shook her head.
“Not much.””
That evening, I sat beside Hannah in the hospital room.
Lily was asleep in a chair nearby, her head resting against Daniel's jacket do we have?””
She shook her head.
“Not much.””
That evening, I sat beside Hannah in the hospital room.
Lily was asleep in a chair nearby, her head resting against Daniel's jacket.
For the first time since our reunion, Hannah and I were alone.
I reached for her hand.
“You look different.””
She gave a faint.
For the first time since our reunion, Hannah and I were alone.
I reached for her hand.
“You look different.””
She gave a faint smile.
“Seven years will do that.””
“I mean…”
I stopped.
I didn't know how to explain it.
Her face was thinner. There were faint lines around her eyes that hadn't been there before smile.
“Seven years will do that.””
“I mean…”
I stopped.
I didn't know how to explain it.
Her face was thinner. There were faint lines around her eyes that hadn't been there before. She moved carefully, as if she had learned to expect pain.
But she was still Hannah.
The woman who used to steal the blanket when. She moved carefully, as if she had learned to expect pain.
But she was still Hannah.
The woman who used to steal the blanket when we watched movies.
The woman who laughed when I burned pancakes.
The woman who once told me she wanted a house full of children.
“I we watched movies.
The woman who laughed when I burned pancakes.
The woman who once told me she wanted a house full of children.
“I thought about you every day,” she whispered.
I lowered my head.
“I thought you were gone.””
“I know.””
“Why didn't thought about you every day,” she whispered.
I lowered my head.
“I thought you were gone.””
“I know.””
“Why didn't you try to contact me?””
Hannah looked at the window.
“I did.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“Hund you try to contact me?””
Hannah looked at the window.
“I did.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“Hundreds of times.””
She took a breath.
“After Richard had me transferred to Greenhaven, Ireds of times.””
She took a breath.
“After Richard had me transferred to Greenhaven, I managed to get a phone once. I called your old number.””
“I never received anything.””
“I know. Bri managed to get a phone once. I called your old number.””
“I never received anything.””
“I know. Brielle answered.””
My stomach tightened.
“What did she say?””
Hannah's eyes filled with tears.
“She toldelle answered.””
My stomach tightened.
“What did she say?””
Hannah's eyes filled with tears.
“She told me you were with her. She said you had signed the divorce papers and that you didn't want to hear from me.””
I shook my head.
“We weren't even married.””
“She told me you me you were with her. She said you had signed the divorce papers and that you didn't want to hear from me.””
I shook my head.
“We weren't even married.””
“She told me you had been married privately.””
I remembered the hospital photograph.
Brielle holding a baby.
Me standing beside her.
A fabricated memory made had been married privately.””
I remembered the hospital photograph.
Brielle holding a baby.
Me standing beside her.
A fabricated memory made believable by my injuries and memory loss.
Hannah continued.
“Then she played a recording.””
“What recording?””
“Your voice.””
I believable by my injuries and memory loss.
Hannah continued.
“Then she played a recording.””
“What recording?””
“Your voice.””
I stared at her.
“What did I say?””
Hannah swallowed.
“You said you didn't want to raise another woman's child.””
I felt as though someone had punched me.
“I never said that.””
“I stared at her.
“What did I say?””
Hannah swallowed.
“You said you didn't want to raise another woman's child.””
I felt as though someone had punched me.
“I never said that.””
“I know that now.””
She squeezed my hand.
“But back then, I believed her.””
I moved closer.
“Hannah, listen to me. I know that now.””
She squeezed my hand.
“But back then, I believed her.””
I moved closer.
“Hannah, listen to me. I never abandoned you. I never signed those papers. And I never chose Brielle.””
Hannah began crying.
“I never abandoned you. I never signed those papers. And I never chose Brielle.””
Hannah began crying.
“I wanted to believe that so badly.””
I held her.
For a few minutes, we didn't speak.
Then she whispered:
“Do you remember the last wanted to believe that so badly.””
I held her.
For a few minutes, we didn't speak.
Then she whispered:
“Do you remember the last thing you said to me before I disappeared?””
I closed my eyes.
I remembered rain against the windows.
Hannah standing thing you said to me before I disappeared?””
I closed my eyes.
I remembered rain against the windows.
Hannah standing in the kitchen.
Her hand resting on her stomach.
She had been trying to tell me something.
But I had received an urgent call from work and left before she could finish.
“I told you I'd be in the kitchen.
Her hand resting on her stomach.
She had been trying to tell me something.
But I had received an urgent call from work and left before she could finish.
“I told you I'd be home before dinner.””
She nodded.
“And you promised we'd never let anyone separate our family.””
I felt tears running down my face.
“I broke that promise.””
“No,” she whispered home before dinner.””
She nodded.
“And you promised we'd never let anyone separate our family.””
I felt tears running down my face.
“I broke that promise.””
“No,” she whispered.
“They stole those years from us.””
At 8:15 p.m., Detective Reynolds returned with an update.
“We located the aircraft.””
Daniel stood.
“Where?””
“Northfield Air.
“They stole those years from us.””
At 8:15 p.m., Detective Reynolds returned with an update.
“We located the aircraft.””
Daniel stood.
“Where?””
“Northfield Airfield. The plane is registered to a company connected to Richard Caldwell.””
“Is Brielle there?””
“We believe so.””
“Whatfield. The plane is registered to a company connected to Richard Caldwell.””
“Is Brielle there?””
“We believe so.””
“What about Hope?””
“There's a teenage girl with her.””
I stood immediately.
“Let's go.””
The detective raised his hand.
“We're coordinating with about Hope?””
“There's a teenage girl with her.””
I stood immediately.
“Let's go.””
The detective raised his hand.
“We're coordinating with airport security. You cannot simply walk onto the property.””
“I don't care about the property. I care about my daughter.””
“Then let us do this properly.””
Hannah airport security. You cannot simply walk onto the property.””
“I don't care about the property. I care about my daughter.””
“Then let us do this properly.””
Hannah slowly stood.
“I'm coming.””
I turned toward her.
“No.””
“Marcus.””
“You're not strong enough.””
Her expression hardened.
“I slowly stood.
“I'm coming.””
I turned toward her.
“No.””
“Marcus.””
“You're not strong enough.””
Her expression hardened.
“I have spent seven years waiting for the chance to look my daughter in the eyes. Don't ask me to stay behind.””
I wanted have spent seven years waiting for the chance to look my daughter in the eyes. Don't ask me to stay behind.””
I wanted to argue.
But I couldn't.
I knew exactly how she felt.
Daniel helped arrange transportation.
to argue.
But I couldn't.
I knew exactly how she felt.
Daniel helped arrange transportation.
Lily remained with a trusted hospital social worker while we went with the officers.
At 9:03 p.m., we arrived at NorthfieldLily remained with a trusted hospital social worker while we went with the officers.
At 9:03 p.m., we arrived at Northfield Airfield.
The sky was dark.
A light rain had begun falling.
Through the fence, I could see a private jet Airfield.
The sky was dark.
A light rain had begun falling.
Through the fence, I could see a private jet parked beside a hangar.
Several men were loading luggage.
And parked beside a hangar.
Several men were loading luggage.
And near the aircraft stood Brielle.
She was wearing a cream-colored coat.
Her hair was perfectly styled.
She looked like a woman preparing for a luxurious holiday.
Hope stood beside her.
The girl was holding a small suitcase.
My heart hammered.
“That's near the aircraft stood Brielle.
She was wearing a cream-colored coat.
Her hair was perfectly styled.
She looked like a woman preparing for a luxurious holiday.
Hope stood beside her.
The girl was holding a small suitcase.
My heart hammered.
“That's her,” I whispered.
Hannah grabbed my arm.
“My baby.””
The detective spoke into his radio.
“Hold position. We're waiting for authorization.””
I watched Bri her,” I whispered.
Hannah grabbed my arm.
“My baby.””
The detective spoke into his radio.
“Hold position. We're waiting for authorization.””
I watched Brielle touch Hope's cheek.
Hope smiled.
Then Brielle handed her a bottle of water.
Something about the scene made me sick.
Sheelle touch Hope's cheek.
Hope smiled.
Then Brielle handed her a bottle of water.
Something about the scene made me sick.
She looked so loving.
So natural.
If I hadn't known the truth, I might have believed it myself.
Sud looked so loving.
So natural.
If I hadn't known the truth, I might have believed it myself.
Suddenly, Brielle looked toward the fence.
Her eyes found mine.
She smiled.
Then she lifted her phone.
Mine begandenly, Brielle looked toward the fence.
Her eyes found mine.
She smiled.
Then she lifted her phone.
Mine began ringing.
I answered.
“Hello?””
“Marcus,” she said sweetly.
“I wondered when you'd arrive.””
“Let Hope go ringing.
I answered.
“Hello?””
“Marcus,” she said sweetly.
“I wondered when you'd arrive.””
“Let Hope go.””
Brielle laughed.
“She's not being held against her will.””
“She's my daughter.””
“Bi.””
Brielle laughed.
“She's not being held against her will.””
“She's my daughter.””
“Biologically, perhaps.””
I clenched my jaw.
“Don't confuse her.””
“I'm not the one who confused her. I've beenologically, perhaps.””
I clenched my jaw.
“Don't confuse her.””
“I'm not the one who confused her. I've been the only mother she's ever known.””
Hannah stepped closer.
“Brielle!””
Brielle turned toward her.
For a moment, her expression changed.
Then she smiled again.
“H the only mother she's ever known.””
Hannah stepped closer.
“Brielle!””
Brielle turned toward her.
For a moment, her expression changed.
Then she smiled again.
“Hannah. You look terrible.””
Hannah's handsannah. You look terrible.””
Hannah's hands trembled.
“You stole my baby.””
“I raised her.””
“You lied to her.””
“I gave her a beautiful life.””
“You told her I was dead!””
Brielle shrugged trembled.
“You stole my baby.””
“I raised her.””
“You lied to her.””
“I gave her a beautiful life.””
“You told her I was dead!””
Brielle shrugged.
“Would you rather I told her the truth? That her biological mother was locked away in a private facility because she couldn't distinguish reality from imagination?””
Hannah began crying.
I stepped forward.
“Enough.
“Would you rather I told her the truth? That her biological mother was locked away in a private facility because she couldn't distinguish reality from imagination?””
Hannah began crying.
I stepped forward.
“Enough.””
Brielle looked at me.
“Marcus, do you know what Hope calls me?””
I said nothing.
“Mom.””
She smiled.
“Not Brielle.””
Brielle looked at me.
“Marcus, do you know what Hope calls me?””
I said nothing.
“Mom.””
She smiled.
“Not Brielle. Not Mrs. Caldwell. Mom.””
I looked at Hope.
She was watching the conversation with growing confusion.
“Who are those people?”” she asked Brielle.
Brielle gently touched her shoulder.
“Don't worry, sweetheart. They're just trying to upset us.””
I took a step toward the. Not Mrs. Caldwell. Mom.””
I looked at Hope.
She was watching the conversation with growing confusion.
“Who are those people?”” she asked Brielle.
Brielle gently touched her shoulder.
“Don't worry, sweetheart. They're just trying to upset us.””
I took a step toward the gate.
“Hope!””
She looked at me.
“I'm your father.””
Her face changed.
Brielle immediately shook gate.
“Hope!””
She looked at me.
“I'm your father.””
Her face changed.
Brielle immediately shook her head.
“No, darling. He's lying.””
I pulled the hospital bracelet from my pocket.
“Your birth name is Hope Miller. Your biological mother is standing right her head.
“No, darling. He's lying.””
I pulled the hospital bracelet from my pocket.
“Your birth name is Hope Miller. Your biological mother is standing right here.””
Hope looked toward Hannah.
Hannah lifted both hands.
“My baby…”
Hope stared.
Then she looked back at Brielle.
“Mom?””
Brielle here.””
Hope looked toward Hannah.
Hannah lifted both hands.
“My baby…”
Hope stared.
Then she looked back at Brielle.
“Mom?””
Brielle grabbed her hand.
“Come on. We need to board.””
Hope didn't move.
“Mom, who is that woman?””
Brielle's smile disappeared.
“Get grabbed her hand.
“Come on. We need to board.””
Hope didn't move.
“Mom, who is that woman?””
Brielle's smile disappeared.
“Get on the plane.””
“But—”
“NOW!””
Hope stepped backward.
For the first time, she seemed frightened of Brielle.
An officer approached the gate.
“Ms. Caldwell, step away from the aircraft.””
Brielle on the plane.””
“But—”
“NOW!””
Hope stepped backward.
For the first time, she seemed frightened of Brielle.
An officer approached the gate.
“Ms. Caldwell, step away from the aircraft.””
Brielle immediately raised her voice.
“This is a private flight! You have no authority to interfere!””
The officer held up a document.
immediately raised her voice.
“This is a private flight! You have no authority to interfere!””
The officer held up a document.
“We have an emergency court order suspending the international transfer of the minor pending an investigation into fraudulent“We have an emergency court order suspending the international transfer of the minor pending an investigation into fraudulent guardianship.””
Brielle stared at the paper.
Then she laughed.
“You can't possibly be serious.””
“Step away from the child guardianship.””
Brielle stared at the paper.
Then she laughed.
“You can't possibly be serious.””
“Step away from the child.””
She tightened her grip on Hope's hand.
“Hope, tell them who I am.””
The girl looked between us.
“She's my mother,” Hope.””
She tightened her grip on Hope's hand.
“Hope, tell them who I am.””
The girl looked between us.
“She's my mother,” Hope whispered.
Brielle smiled triumphantly.
Then Hope added:
“But I want to know why that woman is crying.””
Hannah covered her mouth.
Bri whispered.
Brielle smiled triumphantly.
Then Hope added:
“But I want to know why that woman is crying.””
Hannah covered her mouth.
Brielle's expression hardened.
She turned toward the officers.
“You're making a terrible mistake.””
Then she looked directly at me.
“You think you'veelle's expression hardened.
She turned toward the officers.
“You're making a terrible mistake.””
Then she looked directly at me.
“You think you've won?””
I didn't answer.
She stepped closer.
“Marcus, there's a reason Hannah never told you everything won?””
I didn't answer.
She stepped closer.
“Marcus, there's a reason Hannah never told you everything.””
My stomach tightened.
“What now?””
Brielle smiled.
“Ask her what happened to the night you were in the hospital.””
I turned toward Hannah.
She.””
My stomach tightened.
“What now?””
Brielle smiled.
“Ask her what happened to the night you were in the hospital.””
I turned toward Hannah.
She had gone completely pale.
Brielle continued.
“Ask her why she signed the first document that separated the had gone completely pale.
Brielle continued.
“Ask her why she signed the first document that separated the twins.””
I stared at Hannah.
“Is that true?””
Hannah began shaking her head.
“Marcus, I can explain.””
“Did you sign something twins.””
I stared at Hannah.
“Is that true?””
Hannah began shaking her head.
“Marcus, I can explain.””
“Did you sign something?””
She looked at Hope.
Then at me.
And finally, she whispered:
“Yes.””
My chest tightened.
“What did you sign?””
H?””
She looked at Hope.
Then at me.
And finally, she whispered:
“Yes.””
My chest tightened.
“What did you sign?””
Hannah's eyes filled with tears.
“The document that allowed Brielle to take Hope.””
I stepped backward.
Brielle laughed.
“There itannah's eyes filled with tears.
“The document that allowed Brielle to take Hope.””
I stepped backward.
Brielle laughed.
“There it is. The truth.””
But Hannah suddenly raised her voice.
“I signed it because Richard had a gun pointed at Marcus's hospital bed!””
The laughter is. The truth.””
But Hannah suddenly raised her voice.
“I signed it because Richard had a gun pointed at Marcus's hospital bed!””
The laughter stopped.
Everyone turned toward her.
Hannah was crying now.
“I was told Marcus would be killed if I refused. They made me choose between saving the man I loved and stopped.
Everyone turned toward her.
Hannah was crying now.
“I was told Marcus would be killed if I refused. They made me choose between saving the man I loved and keeping my daughter.””
She looked at Hope.
“I chose to save your father.””
Hope's suitcase slipped from her hand.
Hannah took one shaky step forward.
“I never gave keeping my daughter.””
She looked at Hope.
“I chose to save your father.””
Hope's suitcase slipped from her hand.
Hannah took one shaky step forward.
“I never gave you away because I didn't love you, sweetheart.””
Her voice broke.
“I gave you away because I wanted you you away because I didn't love you, sweetheart.””
Her voice broke.
“I gave you away because I wanted you to have a chance to live.””
Hope stared at her.
Then, very slowly, she stepped away from Brielle.
to have a chance to live.””
Hope stared at her.
Then, very slowly, she stepped away from Brielle.
“Are you really my mother?””
Hannah nodded.
Hope looked at me.
“Are you really my dad?””
I swallowed.
“Yes.””
She began“Are you really my mother?””
Hannah nodded.
Hope looked at me.
“Are you really my dad?””
I swallowed.
“Yes.””
She began crying.
But before she could take another step, Brielle reached into her coat.
An officer shouted.
“Ma'am! Don't move!””
Brielle pulled out a small black crying.
But before she could take another step, Brielle reached into her coat.
An officer shouted.
“Ma'am! Don't move!””
Brielle pulled out a small black object.
A phone.
She pressed one button.
A loud alarm sounded from inside the hangar.
The lights went out.
And in the darkness, someone grabbed Hope.
When the emergency lights came object.
A phone.
She pressed one button.
A loud alarm sounded from inside the hangar.
The lights went out.
And in the darkness, someone grabbed Hope.
When the emergency lights came on, Brielle was standing beside the plane.
Hope was gone.
So was the man who had been loading the luggage.
Hannah screamed her daughter's name.
And I saw something lying on, Brielle was standing beside the plane.
Hope was gone.
So was the man who had been loading the luggage.
Hannah screamed her daughter's name.
And I saw something lying on the wet ground.
Hope's phone.
Its screen was cracked.
A message was open.
**DON'T TRUST YOUR FATHER. HE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED on the wet ground.
Hope's phone.
Its screen was cracked.
May you like
A message was open.
*DON'T TRUST YOUR FATHER. HE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR BROTHER.*
