Chapter 4: The Breaking Point

Chapter 4: The Breaking Point
Security moved closer.
Not aggressively.
But decisively.
Evelyn finally stepped back from the bassinets.
Slowly.
Like her body had stopped agreeing with her plans.
âThis is my grandson,â she said again, weaker now. âYou canât just take him away from the family.â
The administrator shook her head.
âNo, maâam.â
âTheyâre not being taken.â
A pause.
âTheyâre being protected.â
Julia watched as the papers Evelyn broughtâadoption forms, pre-filled custody draftsâwere collected from the floor.
Stamped.
Photographed.
Logged into evidence.
Her husband finally broke.
âJulia⊠why didnât you tell me?â
She looked at him.
For a long moment.
Then answered simply:
âBecause I wanted to see who you would choose when you thought I had nothing left.â
He couldnât answer.
Because he already had.
Evelyn was the one he stood behind.
Until now.
The administrator closed the file.
âEffective immediately, any unauthorized attempt to remove these children will be treated as custodial abduction under federal statute.â
Evelyn whispered, almost to herself.
âThis isnât possibleâŠâ
Julia adjusted one of the tiny blankets over her babyâs chest.
And said quietly:
May you like
âIt was always possible.â
âYou just never asked who I was.â