Clara looked toward Noah.
"Can we go inside?"
They brought the children into the house.
After Mia was settled with toys in the living room and Noah returned to his project, Clara led Adrian into the kitchen.
She closed the door.
"After I left, Victoria kept telling everyone I was unstable."
Adrian nodded.
"I know."
"At first I thought she was just trying to destroy my reputation."
Clara sat.
"But about four months into the pregnancy, two people came to the apartment where I was staying."
"What people?"
"A man and a woman."
"Who were they?"
"They said they worked for a family counseling service."
Adrian felt his stomach tighten.
"They told me your family was worried about my mental health. They said if I agreed to enter a private program voluntarily, they could help me financially."
"You were pregnant."
"I know."
"Did you go?"
"No."
Clara's expression became distant.
"I knew something wasn't right. They kept asking me to sign papers. One of them said if I refused, they might have to tell authorities that I wasn't capable of caring for a child."
Adrian's face hardened.
"What?"
"I was twenty-three, pregnant, alone, and terrified."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I tried."
She looked at him.
"Remember?"
The words struck him.
Of course she had tried.
Every answer led back to the same wall.
Blocked calls.
Returned letters.
Messages erased before he saw them.
Adrian sat across from her.
"What happened after you refused?"
"They came back twice."
"Victoria?"
"No. Those people."
"Do you remember their names?"
Clara thought.
"The woman was Rachel. Rachel something."
Adrian immediately called Martin.
Within days, they found her.
Rachel Monroe had been twenty-eight at the time and employed by a company that provided private intervention services.
The company had shut down years earlier.
Rachel initially refused to speak.
Then Adrian's attorney showed her the financial records.
Two days later, she agreed to meet.
They met in a quiet conference room.
Rachel was older now, with tired eyes and nervous hands.
She looked at Clara immediately.
"I remember you."
Clara said nothing.
Rachel looked down.
"I'm sorry."
Adrian remained standing.
"Who hired you?"
Rachel swallowed.
"Victoria Langford."
Clara closed her eyes.
Rachel continued.
"She told us Clara was suffering from serious psychological problems and was refusing help."
"She was pregnant," Adrian said.
"We knew."
"And you threatened to have her child taken away?"
Rachel looked ashamed.
"We were told the family had evidence she was dangerous."
"What evidence?"