CHAPTER 3 Emily's Secret Recording
Linda reached toward the bassinet.
Before anyone could touch my baby...
Emily spoke.
"Grandma?"
Linda turned with fake warmth.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Can I ask one question?"
"Of course."
"If Mommy gave you the baby..."
Emily paused.
"...why did you tell Dr. Matthews not to let her wake up first?"
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The doctor slowly looked at Linda.
"I never said that."
Emily reached into the pocket of her pink cardigan.
She pulled out an old smartphone.
"I recorded you."
Linda's smile disappeared.
"You what?"
Emily pressed Play.
The room filled with Linda's unmistakable voice.
"Increase her medication. If she wakes up before the papers are finished, everything falls apart."
Then another voice.
The same doctor standing in the room.
"I don't want anything illegal."
Linda answered coldly.
"No one is getting hurt. By the time she wakes up, the baby will already belong to another family."
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
The doctor's face turned pale.
"I... I thought you had legal guardianship."
"You signed the documents," Linda snapped.
"You told me they were valid!"
"I never verified her signature."
The doctor suddenly realized exactly what he'd become part of.
He stepped away from Linda.
"I'm calling hospital administration."
Linda grabbed his arm.
"You idiot."
He pulled away immediately.
"No."
He looked toward Emily.
"Where is your mother?"
May you like
Emily slowly pointed...
Toward the bed.
