Chapter 4: The Call I Was Never Supposed To Hear
The next morning, I waited until Lily left for school before asking Tara about the phone call.
She was standing in the kitchen, washing a mug.
"Tara.""
She didn't look up.
"Yes?""
"Who were you talking to?""
Her hand stopped.
"What do you mean?""
"Someone who could take Lily back.""
The mug slipped slightly in her hand.
Then she placed it down.
Slowly.
"You heard that?""
"Answer me.""
She wiped her hands.
"It wasn't like that.""
"Then explain it.""
Tara looked tired.
Not angry.
Tired.
"I contacted the agency.""
My stomach dropped.
"The foster agency?""
She nodded.
"Why?""
"Because I needed information.""
"Information about what?""
She looked away.
"About options.""
I felt something cold move through me.
"Options?""
"Marcus, don't make this dramatic.""
I laughed.
"Dramatic?""
"Yes.""
"My wife secretly contacted an agency about removing our daughter from our home, and I'm being dramatic?""
Tara's eyes flashed.
"She is not your biological daughter.""
The second she said it, she looked like she wanted to take it back.
But it was too late.
Some words don't leave a room.
They stay.
Forever.
I stared at her.
"Say that again.""
She didn't.
Because she knew.
"Tara.""
"I didn't mean it like that.""
"How did you mean it?""
She had no answer.
For the first time in years, I saw uncertainty on my wife's face.
"I just don't know if this is working.""
I whispered:
"For who?""
She didn't respond.
And that was the answer.
Later that day, I called the agency myself.
I expected confusion.
Instead, I got something worse.
Concern.
The social worker, Rebecca, paused when I mentioned Tara's name.
"Marcus, did your wife tell you she contacted us?""
"Yes.""
"Did she tell you why?""
"No.""
Rebecca hesitated.
Then she said:
"She asked about voluntary placement options.""
I closed my eyes.
"Meaning?""
"Meaning she asked what would happen if Lily moved to another home.""
The room felt smaller.
I thanked Rebecca and ended the call.
When Lily came home, I didn't tell her.
Not yet.
Children shouldn't have to carry adult problems.
But that night, I found something that made my decision.
I was walking past Lily's room when I saw her door slightly open.
Inside, she was sitting on the floor.
Packing.
Again.
Her suitcase was open.
"Lily?""
She jumped.
Then quickly closed the suitcase.
"What are you doing?""
"Nothing.""
I stepped inside.
"Lily.""
Her face crumpled.
"I heard you and Tara.""
I sat down.
"When?""
"Last night.""
I felt my heart break.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She shrugged.
"Because then you'd have to choose.""
"What?""
She looked at me.
"Between me and her.""
I couldn't speak.
Because that was exactly what she believed.
That love was a competition.
That someone always had to lose.
I reached for her hand.
"You are not a choice I regret.""
Her eyes filled.
"But what if she does?""
Before I could answer, my phone rang.
I looked at the screen.
It was Rebecca.
I answered.
"Hello?""
Her voice was serious.
"Marcus, I think there's something you need to know about Lily's case.""
I stood up.
"What?""
There was a pause.
Then she said:
"The reason Lily was moved so many times before coming to you wasn't because of her behavior.""
I looked at Lily.
She was watching me.
"What are you saying?""
Rebecca lowered her voice.
"There was someone connected to her previous placements who kept requesting access to her records.""
My grip tightened around the phone.
"Who?""
May you like
And then Rebecca said a name I had never heard before.
A name that would explain why Lily had spent her whole life believing she could be taken away.
