Chapter 5
Linda’s laugh followed me into recovery.
It stayed in my ears while police took statements.
It stayed while Dr. Patel checked my bleeding and ordered no visitors except Emily and Carla.
It stayed while my son slept against me, his little mouth opening and closing like he was still searching for safety.
Michael sat outside my door all night.
I knew because Carla told me.
“He hasn’t moved.”
“Good,” I said.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Good he stayed?”
“Good he’s uncomfortable.”
Carla smiled faintly.
By morning, we knew more.
The fake doctor was named Leonard Voss.
He had lost his license three years earlier.
Linda had hired him through a private agency.
The papers in his bag claimed I had consented to transfer temporary guardianship of my newborn to Linda due to “postpartum mental instability.”
My signature was forged.
So was Michael’s.
When Dr. Patel showed him the documents, Michael broke down.
“I never signed that.”
I watched him carefully.
His shock looked real.
But shock was not innocence.
It was only a beginning.
Emily refused to leave my side.
When nurses brought breakfast, she inspected every tray.
“No weird medicine?” she asked.
Carla said, “No weird medicine.”
Emily nodded seriously.
I named my son Noah.
Not after anyone in Michael’s family.
Linda had wanted Lawrence, after her late husband.
She had embroidered it on blankets without asking.
I asked Carla to remove every one.
That afternoon, Michael came in alone.
He stood near the foot of the bed.
“I should have protected you from her long before this.”
“Yes,” I said.
He nodded, crying.
May you like
No excuses.
That was the only reason I let him stay.
