"We never saw it."
Adrian stared at her.
"You threatened a pregnant woman based on evidence you never saw."
Rachel's eyes filled with tears.
"I was young. The company was aggressive. I left the industry not long after."
Clara finally spoke.
"What did Victoria want?"
Rachel looked at her.
"She wanted you to sign an admission agreement."
"For what?"
"A long-term residential treatment program."
Clara went pale.
"How long?"
"Initially ninety days."
Adrian understood before Clara did.
Ninety days.
Long enough to isolate her.
Long enough for the pregnancy to advance.
Long enough for Victoria to control the story.
"What was supposed to happen to the babies?" he asked.
Rachel looked uncomfortable.
"That wasn't our department."
"What were you told?"
"Mr. Langford's attorney mentioned temporary guardianship."
Clara stood.
"No."
Rachel flinched.
"They wanted my children."
"I don't know exactly what they planned."
"You knew enough."
Clara's voice broke.
"They were going to lock me away and take my babies."
Rachel began crying.
"I'm sorry."
Clara walked out.
Adrian followed her into the hallway.
She pressed both hands against the wall.
For several seconds, she couldn't breathe properly.
Adrian didn't touch her.
He had learned not to assume she wanted comfort simply because he wanted to give it.
Finally, Clara whispered, "They almost succeeded."
"I know."
"If I had been more scared, I might have signed."
"But you didn't."
She turned toward him.
"I slept in my car for two nights after they came the second time because I was afraid they'd return."
Adrian's eyes burned.
"I didn't know."
"I know you didn't."
"I should have."
"How?"
"I should have found you."
Clara shook her head.
"You need to stop doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Taking responsibility for things other people deliberately hid from you."
Adrian looked away.
Clara stepped closer.
"You didn't abandon us."
"I wasn't there."
"Because you were told I left."
"I should have questioned it."
"You were twenty-five and heartbroken."
"I should have questioned it."
Clara studied him.
"Maybe."
Adrian looked back at her.
She continued.
"But if we're going to build something for Noah and Mia, you cannot spend the rest of your life trying to punish yourself for years you cannot change."
Adrian was silent.
"I've already spent too many years angry," Clara said. "I don't want our children growing up inside someone else's crime."