Then she finally called.
“Hello?”
“Is this Helen Bennett?”
“Yes. Who’s calling?”
“My name is Emily Carter. Eighteen years ago, I gave birth to a little girl named Sophie.”
The silence on the other end seemed endless.
Then Emily heard a woman begin to cry.
“I know who you are,” Helen whispered. “Oh, Emily. I’ve wanted to write to you so many times.”
They agreed to meet at a small café the following Saturday.
Helen arrived alone.
She looked nervous, clutching an old leather purse with both hands.
“I’m sorry, Emily,” she said almost immediately. “I let my husband make every decision back then. I stood by while he threatened your family. And I did nothing to protect you.”
Emily listened without offering comfort.
“And where is Lucas now?”
“He lives in another state. He’s married and has children. We don’t speak very often anymore. I don’t know whether he’d agree to talk to you.”
