Chapter 9 · The Secret Child

Chapter 9

But as I walked, even my shadow felt cold.I didn't head straight home.I went to the nearest print shop.I made copies of all the photos, recordings, and chat logs from my phone.The shop owner asked if I wanted them bound.I told him no.I made three sets of everything.One set went into my bag.Another, I mailed to my mom's house.The last set, I backed up in a brand new email account.After I finished all that, I called Sophie Fletcher, a lawyer I went to college with.We hadn't spoken in years.When she picked up, I told her everything. Her first advice was, "Get the child out of the house you share."I said Taylor wouldn't agree.She said, "You don't need his permission. You're the mother, and you haven't given up custody."I asked, "What if he tries to take her?""Then don't give him a chance to do that."She told me to gather Isobel's birth certificate, household registration booklet, vaccination records, and medical insurance card.She told me not to let Willow be alone with Isobel anymore.She also told me to go to the police station as soon as possible, talk to them, and make sure there's a record about the family dispute and the risk to Isobel's safety.As she went through everything, my panic finally started to fade.I realized I wasn't powerless. I could do more than just cry.Turned out, when faced with lies, I could close the door on them, one step at a time.When I got home, Willow was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables.Isobel was sitting on the floor mat, clutching a cloth ball.When she saw me, she grinned.I walked over and picked her up.She smelled like milk.At that moment, I almost broke down in tears again.Willow peeked at me.She said, "Mrs. Francis, you're back."I nodded.She asked, "How did the check-up go?"I said, "The doctor told me to get more rest.""Then I'll stick around a little longer today."I hugged Isobel tighter. "That's okay; you don't need to."She paused, her knife hovering over the cutting board.Willow smiled.She said, "No need to be so formal, Mrs. Francis. Mr. Francis asked me to take care of you and Isobel."I bent down and kissed Isobel's hair.I said, "She's my child. I'll look after her myself."The kitchen fell silent for a few seconds.Willow picked up the knife and started chopping again.The sound was rhythmic and steady, each chop calm and measured.But I knew, from that moment on, we were both playing along.That night, Taylor came home earlier than usual.When he walked in, he was carrying a pack of Isobel's regular diapers.He set them down in the entryway, acting like nothing was wrong.He said, "I took half a day off on Friday."I looked at him.He said, "I'm taking Isobel for a check-up."I asked, "Which hospital?""Westbrook Hospital."It felt like someone punched me right in the chest.I managed a smile, even though it felt fake.I said, "Isobel just had a check-up last month."Taylor froze, halfway through changing his shoes. "This time's different."I asked, "Different how?"He looked up at me.His gaze was intense, almost brooding."I booked a specialist," he said. "It's for Isobel."Standing in the center of the living room, I held Isobel close.Willow stepped out of the kitchen, a freshly dried bottle in her hand.She glanced at Taylor, then at me.She didn't say a word.Taylor stepped closer.He said, "Coraline, you don't have to go on Friday. I'll take her myself."That night, I slept in the guest room with Isobel in my arms.I locked the door from the inside.I wedged a chair under the doorknob.Back then, I would've thought this was ridiculous.But now, it still didn't feel like enough.Isobel woke up once in the middle of the night.She whimpered, her eyes still closed, her tiny hands grabbing around under the covers.I picked her up and gently patted her back.She fell asleep again in no time.She didn't know the man outside was her dad.She had no idea her dad had already set up a so-called check-up for her.Staring at her little face, it felt like a heavy, damp blanket pressing down on my heart.It was heavy, suffocating, and I could barely breathe.Just before dawn, I texted my mom. [Mom, I'm sending Isobel over to stay with you for a couple of days.]My mom texted back almost right away. [Did you and Taylor have a fight?]I couldn't take my eyes off her message for a long time.Finally, I texted back. [Let's talk in person.]At seven in the morning, Taylor knocked on the door.He said, "Get up and have breakfast."I didn't open the door.I said, "I'm not hungry."There was a moment of silence outside.He said, "Coraline, don't make a fuss."I stood by the window, holding Isobel close.

Chapter 9