Before I could respond, we heard a sharp knock at the door. If only I knew karma had arrived so soon. Sam went to answer the door. From where I stood, I saw two people on the porch, a man and a woman in professional attire.

"Ms. Erin?" the woman asked, holding up an ID.

"I'm Vanessa and this is my colleague, David. We're from Child Protective Services. We need to speak with you regarding some concerns that have come to our attention."

Erin blinked, her face draining of color. "CPS? But... why?"

"We have some questions regarding your adoption process and your ability to provide a stable home for your son."

Erin clutched Noah tighter. "My son? What does he have to do with anything?"

The CPS workers entered and took seats at Erin's dining table.

"We have reason to believe that you expedited the adoption dissolution process and dismissed necessary counseling before relinquishing custody of your daughter, Lily," Vanessa said.

Erin turned to us, her eyes wide, seeking backup. She got none.

"This... this is ridiculous," she stammered. "I followed all the legal procedures!"

David flipped through his notes. "Your neighbor reported that you returned a legally adopted child within days of giving birth, with no apparent transition plan. That raises concerns about your judgment as a parent."

That's when I remembered Erin's long-time feud with her neighbor Mrs. Thompson, who had always doted on Lily. I watched as Erin's confidence crumbled.

"Wait... you're not saying —"

"Ma'am, we need to ensure that your current child is in a safe environment. We will be conducting a full investigation."

"You can't take my baby!" Erin cried. "He's MY SON. I won't let you —"

She stopped abruptly, realizing what she'd implied.

"We're not taking anyone at this moment. But we have to follow procedure. Kindly cooperate."

"Where is Lily now?" I asked the CPS workers.

Vanessa glanced at me. "And you are?"

"Angela, Erin's sister. I'm also Lily's godmother."

"I'm afraid I can't disclose that information at this time."

Erin's boyfriend didn't say a word, his expression tight with regret.

Erin was desperate and trapped. She'd thrown Lily away like she was nothing, and now the system was deciding if she even deserved to keep her son. Maybe I should've felt bad. But I didn't.

The fight wasn't over. Even as CPS started their investigation, I couldn't get Lily out of my mind.

I spent weeks calling agencies, scoured adoption networks, and hired a lawyer. Meanwhile, CPS continued their investigation of Erin and Sam. Mom called me daily with updates.

"They questioned everyone on the block," she told me. "Erin is furious."

"Has she said anything about Lily? Asked how she is? Shown any remorse at all?"

"No. She just keeps saying she did what was best."

Finally, we got a lead. My lawyer called on a Tuesday morning.

"I've been in touch with a colleague who works with the state foster system," she said. "She hinted that Lily might still be in foster care."

My heart leapt. "She hasn't been adopted by another family?"

"It appears not. If you're serious about pursuing custody, we might have a chance."

"I'm serious," I said firmly. "Whatever it takes."

That night, I dug out photos of Lily. Her chubby baby face when I first met her. Her second birthday, cake smeared across her grinning face. Christmas last year, her eyes wide with wonder at the lights on the tree.

"I'm coming, Lily-bug," I whispered to her smiling face. "I promise."

The next three months blurred into a cycle of paperwork, home studies, interviews, and sleepless nights. I painted my spare bedroom pink — the exact shade Lily had always wanted. Butterfly decals covered the walls, and I filled the empty shelves with her favorite toys.