Chapter 13 - The Missing Mother
Everything shifted again.
Mara and Elena had different last names because Elena used their mother’s maiden name.
Elena had agreed to become a surrogate because she needed money for Lily’s surgery.
Mara hated the arrangement.
But the payment could save her daughter.
Then Elena discovered Claire’s fraud.
“She realized Claire had forged your authorization.”
Mara spoke quickly.
“She wanted to contact you.”
“Why didn’t she?”
“Claire threatened Lily.”
The pattern never changed.
Children were Claire’s favorite leverage.
“Elena gave birth six weeks ago.”
Mara continued.
“Then she called me.”
“She said she was scared.”
“She said Claire wanted passports for the babies.”
“And?”
“Then Elena disappeared.”
Mara’s voice cracked.
“Three days later, Claire showed me the death certificate.”
I felt sick.
“Why did you stay?”
“Because I thought Lily would be next.”
I sat beside her.
“Claire told me the babies needed me.”
Mara looked at the twins sleeping nearby.
“She said if I left, she would separate them.”
“Then last week I found Elena’s necklace in Claire’s car.”
Hope flashed through me.
“You think she’s alive.”
“I know she is.”
“How?”
Mara reached inside her shoe.
She removed a tiny memory card.
My eyes widened.
“Elena sent this two days ago.”
We inserted it into my laptop.
One audio file appeared.
I pressed play.
Static.
Then a woman’s voice.
Weak.
Terrified.
“Daniel Whitmore.”
I froze.
“If you hear this, Claire has probably lost control of the situation.”
“I’m Elena.”
“I carried your sons.”
“I need you to know I never planned to keep them.”
“I only wanted the agreement investigated.”
She coughed.
“They moved me after the birth.”
“I don’t know where I am.”
“You need to stop Claire before Friday.”
My skin prickled.
Even Elena knew the date.
Then came the final sentence.
“She isn’t leaving the country with the twins.”
A pause.
“She’s selling them.”
I stared at the computer.
Mara covered her mouth.
The recording ended.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
I finally whispered one word.
“What?”
Mara shook her head.
“I didn’t know.”
I replayed the message.
May you like
Claire had not planned to disappear with my children.
She planned to turn them into merchandise.
