Chapter 4: The Woman in the Doorway
Eli’s words barely left his mouth before I turned toward him.
“What haven’t you told me?””
He didn't answer immediately.
The woman in the doorway was still staring at the photograph, her hands trembling at her sides. She looked younger than I expected. Maybe early thirties. Her face was pale, and a hospital bracelet hung loosely around her wrist.
Detective Harris stepped toward her.
“Ma’am, please come inside.””
She did.
Her eyes never left Luke.
Luke looked as if he wanted to disappear into the wall.
I held June closer.
“Who are you?””
The woman swallowed.
“My name is Olivia Reed.””
She glanced at the photograph again.
“That baby is mine.””
Rachel stared at her.
“But they told you your baby was dead too?””
Olivia shook her head.
“No.””
Her voice broke.
“They told me my baby was never born.””
The room went silent.
I felt June's tiny fingers curl around mine.
Olivia continued.
“I gave birth four days ago. A little boy.””
“A boy?”” I asked.
She nodded.
“They took him from me before I could even hold him.””
Luke whispered, “Olivia, stop.””
She turned on him.
“You don't get to tell me what to do anymore.””
Her voice echoed through the room.
“I trusted you.””
Luke looked down.
Olivia stepped closer.
“You told me the hospital had lost my records. You said the birth certificate would be corrected.””
“I was trying to fix it.””
“You were trying to erase him.””
Detective Harris raised a hand.
“Let's slow down. Olivia, what exactly did Luke tell you?””
She wiped her eyes.
“He said there was a private family network that helped mothers who couldn't afford to raise their children.””
Rachel laughed bitterly.
“That's the same story he told me.””
Olivia looked at her.
“You too?””
Rachel nodded.
Olivia's face crumpled.
“Oh God.””
I looked at Eli.
“You knew about Olivia?””
He nodded.
“I found her name in Luke's files.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I didn't know if she was safe.””
I stared at him.
“You could have told me.””
“I know.””
His voice was quiet.
“I should have.””
Luke suddenly spoke.
“You have no idea what you're uncovering.””
Detective Harris turned toward him.
“Then start explaining.””
Luke rubbed both hands over his face.
“I didn't create Bright Futures.””
“No,” Eli said.
“But you worked for them.””
Luke's eyes flashed.
“I was trapped.””
Rachel shook her head.
“Everyone has a story.””
Luke looked at her.
“You don't understand.””
“Then make us understand.””
Luke stared at the floor.
“They approached me after Emily got pregnant.””
My stomach twisted.
“Why?””
“They knew about my debts.””
I frowned.
“What debts?””
He looked at me.
“The gambling.””
I froze.
I remembered the unexplained withdrawals. The late-night calls. The excuses about overtime.
I had believed him.
Luke continued.
“They offered me money.””
“How much?””
“Enough to clear everything.””
“And what did you have to do?””
He hesitated.
“Provide information.””
“What information?””
“Pregnancy records. Delivery dates. Hospital schedules.””
My throat tightened.
“You sold them my medical information?””
“I didn't know what they were going to do with it.””
Rachel stepped forward.
“You knew enough to keep taking their money.””
Luke didn't answer.
Eli opened another document.
“That isn't the worst part.””
He placed a photocopy on the table.
I recognized my own signature.
My blood ran cold.
“What's that?””
Luke stared at it.
Eli said, “A consent form.””
I picked it up.
The document stated that I had voluntarily agreed to a private post-birth adoption arrangement.
“I never signed this.””
“I know,” Eli said.
My hands shook.
“That is my signature.””
“It's forged.””
I looked at Luke.
His face told me everything.
“You gave them a sample of my signature.””
Luke whispered, “Emily…”
I slapped the document onto the table.
“You gave them everything.””
Before he could respond, Detective Harris's radio crackled.
He listened.
His expression changed.
“What?””
Everyone watched him.
He looked toward Jasmine.
“Can you access the maternity records?””
Jasmine nodded.
“Why?””
“Because we have a problem.””
He turned his radio off.
“The hospital's backup server has been accessed.””
Eli frowned.
“When?””
“Eight minutes ago.””
I looked at Luke.
He wasn't surprised.
That terrified me.
“Luke,” I whispered.
He didn't look at me.
Detective Harris noticed.
“Mr. Carter, who else knows about these files?””
Luke remained silent.
Then his phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
He stared at it.
I saw his face collapse.
“What does it say?”” I asked.
Luke slowly turned the phone toward us.
There was one sentence.
*YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT EMILY ALONE.*
And beneath it was a photograph.
May you like
A photograph of my house.
Taken from across the street.
