Chapter 6: The Woman Who Knew Everything
My mother arrived at my house before I did.
That was impossible.
I had driven straight home after the appointment.
No stops.
No calls.
No messages.
Yet when I opened my front door, Darla was standing in my kitchen.
Holding two mugs of tea.
Like this was any other day.
Like she hadn’t rewritten my entire life.
“Get out.””
Her face fell.
“Emma.””
“No.””
“I need to explain.””
“You’ve been explaining for days.””
She put the mug down.
“I know.””
“Every explanation creates another secret.””
She looked away.
That hurt more than anger.
Because it meant she knew.
She knew exactly how many pieces of my life she had broken.
“Did you know?””
Her eyes lifted.
“Know what?””
“About my daughter’s DNA.””
Silence.
That was all I needed.
“You did.””
She started crying.
“Emma…”
“You did.””
“I found out yesterday.””
“Before me.””
“Yes.””
I walked farther into the kitchen.
The same kitchen where she helped me choose baby bottles.
The same kitchen where she hugged me when I announced my pregnancy.
“You knew there was something wrong with the test.””
“Yes.””
“And you said nothing.””
“I was trying to protect you.””
I slammed my hand on the counter.
“Stop saying that!””
She froze.
“You keep using that word like it makes everything okay.””
Tears rolled down her face.
“I was scared.””
“So was I.””
“I thought I could fix it.””
“You cannot fix betrayal.””
She looked broken.
For the first time, I almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
“What did the test say?””
She sat down.
“Your baby’s father is not who you think.””
My throat tightened.
“Cole?””
She nodded.
“No.””
The room spun.
I grabbed the chair.
“What?””
Darla covered her face.
“The test showed a genetic connection.””
“To who?””
She looked at me.
“I don’t know.””
I stared.
“What do you mean you don’t know?””
“Because the sample was incomplete.””
“Then how do you know?””
She hesitated.
And there it was again.
The hesitation.
The thing everyone did before dropping another piece of my life into a fire.
“Mom.””
She whispered:
“Because the doctor called me first.””
“Why would the doctor call you?””
Her eyes filled.
“Because I was listed as the emergency contact.””
I stared.
“You?””
“Yes.””
“Not Cole?””
“No.””
“Why?””
She looked down.
“Because when you were admitted during your first trimester, I changed the paperwork.””
My mouth opened.
“You changed my medical information?””
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
She shook her head.
“I can’t tell you everything.””
I stepped back.
“No.””
“Emma.””
“No. You don’t get to do that.””
I pointed toward the door.
“You don’t get to destroy my life and then decide which pieces I’m allowed to have.””
She cried harder.
“I made one terrible choice.””
“One?””
She looked at me.
And the pain in her eyes told me she knew exactly how many.
“I thought I was protecting you.””
“You were protecting yourself.””
She didn’t answer.
Because she knew.
The doorbell rang.
We both froze.
I walked toward the front door.
Through the glass, I saw Lily.
And beside her was someone I had never seen before.
An older woman.
Gray hair.
A nervous expression.
I opened the door.
Lily looked at me.
“I’m sorry.””
“Who is she?””
The woman stepped forward.
“My name is Rebecca.””
I frowned.
“Okay.””
She looked at my stomach.
Then at me.
“I think I’m your biological grandmother.””
The world stopped.
Behind me, my mother gasped.
“No.””
Rebecca looked past me.
Her face changed.
“Darla.””
May you like
My mother went completely pale.
“You’re supposed to be dead.””
