The nurse’s warning whispered in my ear still haunted me: “Ask your son what happened at 3:00 AM.” Moments later, I eavesdropped on his panicked phone call on the fire escape: “If the police find out, we’re ruined.” My hands shook as I unlocked his briefcase in his office. The horrific adoption contract inside changed everything…

the cops, she’d go to jail! It would ruin her life! She promised she’d bring him back tonight!”

Suddenly, Daniel’s phone buzzed violently in his pocket.

He yanked it out, his thumb swiping the screen. As he read the text message, the last remnants of color vanished from his face. He looked like a corpse.

“Daniel,” I stepped forward, grabbing his arm. continue reading …