Chapter 6: The Woman Who Never Left
Dad stayed on the phone for almost ten minutes.
Nobody interrupted him.
Nobody dared.
Because one word had changed everything.
Alive.
My birth mother was alive.
The woman everyone talked about like a memory.
Like a chapter that ended before I was old enough to read it.
Alive.
When Dad finally ended the call, he stood there staring at the floor.
I had never seen him look lost before.
“Dad?””
He looked up.
His eyes were wet.
“It was her.””
I couldn’t breathe.
“Claire?””
He nodded.
My knees felt weak.
“She called me.””
“Why?””
He looked at the torn dress.
“Because she saw what happened.””
I frowned.
“How?””
Nobody answered.
Then Dad looked at Mia.
And she looked away.
The realization hit me.
“Mia.””
She whispered:
“I posted a picture.””
My stomach dropped.
“What picture?””
She wiped her face.
“The dress.””
I stared at her.
“You posted my ruined dress?””
“I didn’t show your face.””
“That’s not the point.””
“I know.””
Her voice broke.
“I was angry. I posted it online because I wanted people to see what I did.””
I looked at her.
“You wanted people to see?””
She nodded.
“I wanted attention.””
At least she finally admitted it.
Dad looked exhausted.
“And Claire saw it.””
Mia nodded.
“She contacted me.””
Everyone turned.
“What?””
Mia looked terrified.
“She messaged me after seeing the picture.””
Dad stepped forward.
“Why didn’t you tell us?””
“Because she knew.””
“Knew what?””
Mia swallowed.
“She knew about the dress.””
The room became silent.
I whispered:
“She knew it was mine?””
“No.””
Mia looked at me.
“She knew the flash drive was still inside.””
My heart raced.
“Where is it?””
Mia shook her head.
“I don’t know.””
Dad looked angry again.
“Then what did she say?””
Mia hesitated.
“She said…”
“Say it.””
“She said, ‘If Emma’s dress is destroyed, the truth is finally close to coming out.’”
I looked at Mom.
She looked terrified.
Not sad.
Terrified.
“Mom.””
She stood.
“Emma, listen to me.””
“No.””
I stepped back.
“No more.””
She stopped.
“I want to hear from her.””
“From who?””
“From Claire.””
The name felt strange.
But right.
My mother.
My real mother.
Dad nodded.
“I’m taking you to meet her.””
Mom immediately said:
“No.””
Everyone looked at her.
Dad’s expression changed.
“Why?””
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
That was enough.
Dad walked closer.
“What are you hiding now?””
“I’m not hiding anything.””
“Then why are you afraid of Emma meeting her?””
Mom looked at me.
And tears rolled down her face.
“Because I know what Claire will tell you.””
I stared.
“What?””
She whispered:
“The reason she left.””
The room became quiet.
I felt a cold wave move through me.
“What was the reason?””
Mom looked away.
“I can’t.””
Dad’s voice became sharp.
“You can.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
“After everything?””
She covered her face.
“Because if Emma knows, she’ll never forgive me.””
My heart sank.
“Forgive you?””
Mom slowly lowered her hands.
And then she said the sentence I would remember forever.
“Because Claire didn’t leave you.””
A pause.
“I took you away from her.””
Nobody moved.
My father stared at her.
Mia gasped.
And I felt something inside me break.
“You what?””
Mom started crying.
“I was young. I was scared.””
“You took me away?””
“I thought I was saving you.””
“From what?””
She looked at me.
“From Richard.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
“Yes.””
“Then why hide it?””
“Because after I took you, I realized I couldn’t give you back.””
My heart pounded.
“You stole me.””
She cried harder.
“I loved you.””
“You stole me.””
Dad looked sick.
“Martha…”
Mom looked at him.
“I raised her.””
Dad’s voice was quiet.
“But she was never yours to take.””
Nobody spoke.
Then my phone buzzed.
I looked down.
A message.
Unknown number.
One sentence.
May you like
My blood turned cold.
*Emma, I’m Claire. I know where Richard hid the evidence. But you need to come alone.*
