After her daughter Khloe gave birth, the midwife moved Catherine away from the delivery chair. Linda had worked at this maternity hospital for forty years, always being there when new life began. But all of a sudden, her hands shook as she slipped off her latex gloves. Catherine could see that Linda’s eyes were quite heavy and troubled, even before she said a word.
“Was it really your daughter who had the baby?” The medic’s voice sounded strained, as if she had to push each word out past a knot in her throat.
Linda glanced across at the ward, where a young nurse was taking good care of the infant, and then she looked back at Catherine. Catherine could only stare back, confused, because the question was so bizarre and out of place in the happy chaos of the maternity wing.
“Yes, of course, mine,” Khloe said. What’s wrong? Catherine’s heart, which had been racing with joy at becoming a grandmother, began to stutter and race. A cold anxiety started to creep into the corners of her happiness.
The midwife took her by the elbow and led her down the silent hallway that smelled like antiseptic, away from the balloons and words of congratulations. Linda said in a hushed, panicked voice, “You need to call the police right away.” “And get a good lawyer.” “Today.”
Under the fluorescent lights, her face was pale, almost gray, and she never took her eyes off of Catherine’s, as if she were looking for proof of a terrible, unspoken fear.
“Linda, I don’t understand what’s going on,” Catherine begged, her voice quivering. “Is the baby okay?” Is he sick? She tried to look back into the ward to see her grandson, but the midwife was in her way.
Linda said, “The baby is fine physically,” but this did not help her feel better. “But you need to look closely at his right hand.” Look closely.
When Catherine came into the ward, she thought of a hundred terrible things that could happen. She stepped over to the changing table, where the baby was lying still with his small, beautiful fingers curled into fists. He was a small miracle wrapped in a pretty blue blanket. The nurse could see that the infant was in pain, so she carefully uncurled its right hand.
Catherine glimpsed something on the inside of his little wrist that made her world come apart. It was a birthmark in the shape of a crescent, like a pretty, pale brown moon. Rick, her spouse, has the same mark. From old images, she could clearly see that it was the same mark as her late father’s. Rick had even been proud of it and called it the “Foster family mark.” It was a peculiar, one-of-a-kind trait that only the males in the family had.
Her legs went out. The antiseptic room tilted, and Catherine had to hold on to the side of the changing table to keep from falling. Thoughts that were fractured and frightened raced through her thoughts, but they wouldn’t join together to produce a distinct picture. This can’t be happening. It’s not possible. A coincidence. It can’t be.
“Mom?”
Khloe turned because her voice was weak, thin, and broken. Her daughter was laying on the hospital bed with her back to the wall and her face concealed. She hadn’t looked at the baby since the day he was born. “Can I not hold him? “I’m just so tired,” she said.
Catherine slipped and fell onto the bed next to her. She felt numb and out of touch. Khloe looked absolutely worn out, but it wasn’t just because she had just given birth. Her eyes showed a deep, soul-crushing pain that words couldn’t describe.
“Khloe, it’s all right. You did a great job. Catherine responded, “You made it through,” forcing the words out.
“Sorry, Mom,” Khloe murmured back, as tears finally dropped from her pale cheeks. “I couldn’t tell you.” I wanted to, but I couldn’t. “You wouldn’t have believed me.” Her voice shook, and it sounded like she was going to cry.
“Sweetie, what are you talking about?” Catherine stroked her daughter’s wet hair, even though she was already feeling scared. She was beginning to understand, to put the pieces together, and to see the shape of the monster that her daughter couldn’t see.
“I told you it was just a fling with Patrick from school.” But that’s not true, Mom. “It’s not true,” Khloe yelled, covering her face with her hands. “I was afraid you’d think I wanted it and that you wouldn’t believe me and would choose him.”
Catherine’s head was full of memories from the last few years, tiny things that now sounded like sirens. Khloe jumped every time the lock on the front door turned. When Khloe is home alone, she doesn’t see Rick. If he returned home drunk and happy after a night out with his friends, Khloe would hide in her room.
“Mom, I don’t want this baby,” Khloe stated, crying. “But I didn’t find out I was pregnant until it was too late.” He promised me that if I told anyone, he would take care of you. He said he had friends who could make your body go away so that no one would ever find it.
The memories hit her like an avalanche, leaving Catherine with a heavy weight of humiliation and confusion. Rick would regularly ask Catherine, as if he didn’t care, when Khloe would be back from her friend’s house. How he would make her a special cup of herbal tea before bed that would let her sleep so deeply that even loud noises wouldn’t wake her up. How he had made Catherine go see her sick mother last month for the weekend, which left them alone in the house. Honey, it will be great for you to get away. I’ll look after Khloe.
“Something was put in my tea,” Khloe said quietly, eventually glancing at her mother. It felt like her eyes were cut open. “I’d wake up and know something had happened, but I couldn’t remember what it was.” I thought I was going crazy.
Catherine got up, shaking so much that she could barely stand. She lurched toward the door, a muffled cry caught in her chest. Linda tried to stop her by quickly stressing that she needed to move quickly and call the investigator, but the words were just a meaningless hum. There were red circles moving in front of her eyes and her ears were ringing.
She collapsed near the bushes close to the parking lot as she went to the hospital. Her stomach twisted in a terrible spasm, and she hurled up on the well-kept mulch. Another wave of vomiting hit her body, but this time it wasn’t because she was sick; it was because of the awful nightmare that had been going on in her house. In their home. Rick, her husband of five years, the man she had trusted with her daughter, the man who helped Khloe with her schoolwork, bought her thoughtful gifts, and appeared like a kind stepfather, had really been hurting her child. To keep his secret safe, he threatened her life.
Catherine tried to breathe and wiped her mouth with a shaky hand. She had to act. Rick was at home with flowers and champagne waiting for her. He couldn’t wait to celebrate the arrival of his grandson. His son was really his grandson.
She took out her phone, but her hands were shaking so heavily that it was hard to see the screen. She couldn’t stop thinking about how much she loathed herself. How could I not have noticed it? How could I not have noticed that? She hadn’t seen anything while her kid was in the room next to hers.
Linda walked out of the hospital, and her sensible shoes made soft sounds on the pavement. She walked up to Catherine with a calm, businesslike look on her face that disguised a lot of feelings.
“You can’t be alone right now, Catherine,” the midwife said firmly. “And you can’t go home to that man.” Her voice was steady, like a lifeline in Catherine’s increasing panic. “I’ve never seen anything like these conditions in forty years of work. But I know you need to do something right away.”
Catherine said in a raspy, scratchy voice, “He’ll hurt us.” “If he finds out we know, he’ll do what he said he would.” Khloe was right to be terrified. She looked up at the bright windows of the maternity unit. “I had no idea what my girl was going through for three years.”
This information eventually made her more determined. They need to do the right thing immediately.
Linda put her hand on her shoulder to calm her down. “I have a contact. A good man who works as a detective and has three daughters. He’ll teach you the right way to accomplish things.
Catherine nodded, not sure if she could believe what she said. Inside her, there was a battle between despair and a white-hot, protecting fury. She was mad at Rick for what he did to Khloe and at herself for not being able to keep her daughter safe.
Catherine waited in her car in the hospital parking lot for more than two hours. The keys were heavy in her lap. Every time she thought of coming into the house and seeing Rick’s smiling face, her hands would shake again. A security guard at the hospital knocked on her window after dark, when the asphalt was covered in menacing, dark shadows. A nice old man with a wrinkled face leaned against the glass.
“Are you okay, miss?” he said with obvious concern. “You’ve been sitting here for a long time.”
Catherine opened the window and tried to smile, but it turned into a sad grimace. “Thanks, I’m fine,” she said. “Just really tired.”
The guard nodded, as if he knew. “I have grandchildren too.” I get how hard it might be. But you need to go home immediately. Your family is waiting for you. Games for the whole family
He was right. Without a question, Rick was already getting worried and suspicious. Catherine started the car. For a little while, driving home felt like a nightmare. She stopped at a lot of red lights that had already turned green, not worrying about the horns of other cars. How could she talk to him now that she knew what she knew?
As she went closer to the house, she could see the brilliant lights in the windows. He was at home. Waiting.
She parked the car and sat there for a minute, breathing deeply and shaking. She had to act like herself. At least until she figured out what to do next.
The door opened right away when she inserted her key in the lock. Rick stood in the hallway, holding a big bunch of red roses and a cold bottle of champagne. His smile was large and bright, and his eyes sparkled with glee that made Catherine’s stomach turn to ice.
“Here you are! How is our baby? Did everything go well? How is Khloe doing?” He looked like the perfect, proud family father, eager to celebrate the arrival of his grandson.”
Catherine answered, “Everything’s fine,” attempting to hide the trembling in her voice. She had to say the words, and each one felt like a betrayal. “He’s a healthy kid.” “Khloe’s tired, but that’s normal.” She didn’t look him in the eye and fumbled with her jacket, her hands twitching.
Rick, thankfully, didn’t seem to care. He was too happy about the news. “I’ve already got the flowers and champagne ready for our new mommy,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulders. Catherine had to fight hard to keep from pulling away in disgust. “We’ll go to the hospital tomorrow morning to congratulate Khloe in person. We could acquire a nice stroller or cot. What do you think? “
“I need to take a shower,” Catherine said. “I’m tired,” she said, and then she pulled away from him and went to the bathroom. “Let’s talk about everything tomorrow.” Today, I just can’t.
Rick gave her a perplexed look, but he didn’t press her.
Catherine shut the bathroom door and turned on the shower all the way to block out any sounds. She was shaking when she called her sister. Wendy answered almost away.
“Hey Catherine, how’s it going? Did Khloe have her baby yet? Her sister’s voice was happy and excited.
Catherine couldn’t hold it in any longer. She wailed, “Wendy, I’m in a lot of trouble. I don’t know what to do,” as tears flowed down her face. She couldn’t get the words out.
“What’s wrong, Catherine?” her sister’s voice altered immediately away. Is the baby sick? With Khloe? “
Catherine said, “The baby…” “Just like that,” she said, frightened he could hear her through the door. “He has a birthmark just like Rick’s.” The midwife urged us to call the police.
Wendy didn’t say anything for a long time. “Oh my God, Catherine.” Are you serious? “
“Yes,” she responded, her voice quivering with terror. “I’m at home with him now.” He brought me roses and champagne and said he wanted to go to the hospital tomorrow to “congratulate” Khloe.
Someone knocked on the door and said, “Catherine? You went in thirty minutes ago. Who are you talking to? When Rick responded, “Come on, let’s have dinner and celebrate,” his voice sounded angry.
“I’m coming out in a minute!” Just getting clean! “Cover the phone with your hand,” Catherine shouted.
Her sister’s voice was soft and full of need. “Catherine, you can’t stay there. Come to me right now. Tell me you’re sick or something.
Catherine answered, “I can’t.” “He’ll have doubts.” Khloe said he told her that if she told anyone, he would murder her.
The knock happened again, this time with more power. “Catherine, can you hear me?” “Let me in! You’re acting crazy!” Catherine had never heard the sharp, threatening notes in Rick’s voice before, or maybe she just didn’t want to hear them.
“I have to go,” she murmured gently into the phone. “Wendy, if I don’t call you by morning, call the police.”
She hung up before her sister could say anything. When she opened the door, Rick was on the other side and looked quite suspicious.
“What’s going on with the show?” “Who were you talking to?”
“It was Wendy,” Catherine said. “I was telling her about the birth,” but he wouldn’t let her through.
“Why are your eyes so red?” And why did it take you three hours to get back from the hospital? “She couldn’t stop looking at him. “I spotted you in the parking lot. “
Catherine responded, “I was just upset,” and she made sure her voice kept calm. “It’s hard to see your daughter in pain.”
He gave her a look that made her doubt for a few more seconds before moving to the side. The room was tense and quiet while they ate dinner. Catherine pretended to be asleep by lying still, but her mind was wide awake. At midnight, he quietly got up and left the bedroom. She heard him moving around the apartment and then the faint sound of a phone ringing.
“It’s me,” he said softly into the phone, but in the quiet of the night, every word could be heard. “Yes, she had a baby today, but Catherine is acting strange.” “I don’t know.” “Maybe the doctor told her something, or maybe she figured it out on her own.” His voice went lower and more threatening. “Don’t forget what we agreed on.” He spoke first to her, then to the girl. “Leave no traces.”
Catherine’s heart raced. She didn’t have any more time. Rick knew this and genuinely did threaten.
Catherine woke up to the sound of the front door closing. Rick had left for work without saying anything. She lay there for a few minutes, listening to how quiet the apartment was, and then she moved quickly. She didn’t have much time. She had to find proof while he was gone.
She started with his desk, going through papers and notes. Nothing. She looked under the mattress and on the nightstands in the bedroom. His work jacket, the one he wore home yesterday, was hanging in the closet. Catherine put her hands in her pockets and felt something little and firm. A USB drive. A black flash drive that looks normal and has no identifying markers.
She typed it into the computer with shaky hands. There were a few video files on the screen, but the only thing that showed up were dates from the last three months. The first file’s date was in February. Catherine put her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming when the video started. A hidden camera filmed Khloe’s bedroom and put it on the screen. Her daughter was sleeping in a way that wasn’t normal. Then Rick came into the picture.
After what occurred next, Catherine had to hurry to the bathroom and throw up until her stomach was empty. Now she understood. He had been slipping sleeping pills in her tea and taking pictures of the attacks. This was his proof, his trophy.
She went back to the computer and quickly copied all the data to a separate flash drive that she discovered in a drawer. She put the original back in his coat pocket. Rick shouldn’t think she found anything. She tucked her copy deep within her makeup bag. There was no doubt about this proof.
Rick was the one who called.
He said, “I’m leaving work early today,” without saying hello. His voice was strained and weird. “We have to go get Khloe from the hospital.” “Today.”
“But she has to stay there for a few more days,” Catherine replied, attempting to keep her voice steady. “The doctor said—”
“Doctors say a lot of things,” Rick added. “And then they start talking when they shouldn’t.” I just think it would be best if Khloe stayed with us at home. “There’s too much talking in hospitals.”
The call was done. Catherine realized she didn’t have much time left. Rick assumed he could handle things and bring Khloe home from the hospital. In charge again.
Catherine got ready and hurried to the hospital to warn Linda and get to Khloe before Rick could get there. A lot of individuals were in the maternity ward. Linda found her in the nurse’s office.
“I have proof,” Catherine said as she pulled the flash drive out of her makeup bag. “Movies.” He filmed everything and gave her sleeping pills.
Linda’s face, which was already pale, went white. “Oh my God.” So I was right.
Catherine added quickly, “He’ll be here to pick up Khloe today.” “He says it’s important.” I believe he thinks we know. We need to do something right immediately.
Linda stood up and locked the office door. “Okay.” I’ll call my friend who is a detective. “Go to Khloe.” Be careful when you tell her.
Catherine found Khloe alone in her room, lying on the floor and looking out the window. When she saw her, she said, “Mom.” “Do you hate me now?”
“I don’t hate you, my sunshine.” Catherine grasped her daughter’s hand and whispered, “I hate myself for not being able to protect you.” “But now we’ll make everything right.” “We’re going to the police because I have proof of what he did.”
Khloe sat up swiftly, her eyes wide with fright. “Mom, no! He’ll kill us both! You don’t understand!”
The hallway was full of fast footsteps and a loud voice that seemed familiar at that moment. Rick was in an argument with a nurse. “I’m her stepdad! It’s my right to go!”
Khloe shook as she heard his voice. “Mom, he’s here.” I can’t see him. Don’t let him in, please! “
She tried to hide under the blanket, but the door sprang open. Rick came in with a bright smile and a bundle of flowers, but when he saw how Khloe responded, his smile turned into a grimace. His daughter, the victim, started screaming in a primal, fearful way, turning around in bed and pushing the air away as if she were fighting off an unseen foe.
“Get him out of here! Don’t let him get close to me!”
Rick asked, “Khloe, what’s wrong with you?” and looked astonished. “It’s me, Rick!”
He tried to approach closer, but the girl cried even louder. Linda was in charge, even though there were a lot of nurses around. She stepped into the room, glanced at Rick, then at Khloe, who was crying hard, and her expression stiffened.
She said firmly, “You need to go.” “You’re making the patient scared.”
“That’s a lot of nonsense!” “By marriage, I’m her father!” Rick tried to get past the midwife.
“You have no rights,” Linda said in a voice like steel. She took a picture out of her pocket. It was a close-up of the baby’s hand, and the crescent-shaped birthmark was very clear and damning. “Especially since I know what I know.”
Rick looked at it and his face became white. “How did you get this?” ” he stated in a quiet voice.
Linda said in a calm voice, “It’s a picture of your son’s newborn hand.” “That child is the one your stepdaughter had after you hurt her.”
Rick lunged, and his courteous act fell apart. He grabbed Linda by the neck and said, “Shut up, you old fool!” You don’t know a thing! “His eyes were wild with fear and anger.” “I’ll kill you and your whole family if you tell anyone!”
“Help! Help! Catherine yelled, and her voice echoed through the hall.
Security guards and doctors rushed into the room. They had to get Rick away from Linda since he was still choking her, but he wouldn’t stop yelling. “It’s all a lie!” Khloe hit on me! She’s awful, like a lot of ladies. “
Linda sat in a chair and stroked the red scratches on her throat as they pulled him away. “Now we have people who saw him make threats,” she said in a rough voice. “That and the videos will be enough.”
An hour later, a middle-aged man in plain clothing came up to Catherine and stated, “My name is Oliver Brooks.” There were police in the neighborhood. Linda told me what was going on.
When Catherine heard Oliver Brooks’ name, she shuddered. “Are you the Oliver Brooks who was friends with Anthony, my first husband?”
The police officer smiled sadly. “Yes, that’s me.” I recall your wedding, the birth of Khloe, and then his death. “I never thought I’d see you again like this.” She felt better knowing that they had been through the same things together, which made her feel less alone.
Catherine handed him the flash drive. “Oliver, I have proof.” He made movies.
Oliver took the flash drive and carefully put it in his pocket. “Catherine, I know this is hard for you, but we really need these recordings.” He listened as she told him about Rick’s threatening phone call the night before.
He frowned. “We’ll keep you safe.” You can’t go home right now.
Oliver went to their house to get some vital things as Catherine and Khloe sat together. For the first time in a long time, her daughter’s eyes seemed hopeful.
The next day, a woman detective came to see Khloe. She didn’t become bored while she listened to the full story. Khloe remarked in a calm, steady voice, “It all started when I turned seventeen.” “He said there was a special bond between us… that I understood him better than Mom did.” When she talked about the drugged tea and the threats to her mother’s life, Catherine’s heart broke all over again.
That night, Oliver called. Rick had been released on bail while the charges were being brought. He got home to discover their clothes missing and a note from Oliver on the kitchen table that said, “I know everything.” Neighbors said they heard him cursing and breaking dishes before he sped away in his car.
Oliver had said, “People like him start making mistakes when they find out they’ve been caught.” “And we need his mistakes.”
They figured that they were wrong after midnight. Someone started hammering on Wendy’s door. “Catherine, come out! I can see you in there!” “Rick did it.”
“You are my wife!” My kid is Khloe! You are my woman, and no one has the right to take you away from me. “Chloe, a bad girl, came on to me! And now you want to put the blame on me!” He was clearly crazy as he tried to batter down the door.
There were sirens going off in the distance. When the police got there, Rick was still trying to bust down the door with his shoulder. “It’s all a lie!” he wailed as they handcuffed him and dragged him away.
“Now he definitely won’t get out,” Oliver said tiredly as Rick was taken away. “Threats, trying to break in, and resisting arrest,” combined with the video and Khloe’s tale. That should be enough.
The trial happened in a small, tense courtroom. Catherine was in the first row next to Khloe, who was holding her three-month-old son, who was a mute witness to the crime.
Rick’s counsel said Khloe was a manipulative young woman to make her appear bad. The prosecutor, on the other hand, was careful. The video footage provided clear proof. Several jurors turned away in disgust as fragments were seen. The professional investigation found that Khloe had a lot of strong sedatives in her body. Linda talked about the birthmark, which was a strange but significant element of the story.
Finally, Khloe was able to say anything. She revealed the truth about three years of terror and torture, concluding with her finding the concealed camera. Her voice shook. “He was happy when I got pregnant,” she said, and tears filled her eyes. He said, “We have a secret that will last forever.”
Rick got ready to battle when it was his turn. “I didn’t do it.” Chloe wanted it. The child is proof that we were together.
People in the courtroom were angry at what he said.
After two hours, the jury came back. The foreman stated, “We find Rick Foster guilty.” “On all counts.”
The judge said what the punishment will be. “The court gives Rick Foster fifteen years in a maximum-security prison because the crime was so bad, there were aggravating factors, and he didn’t show any remorse.”
Rick became white and fell over. When the guards drew close, he passed out.
Khloe smiled a real, happy smile for the first time in a long time. “Is it done now, Mom?”
“Yes, my dear,” Catherine said softly as she held her daughter and grandchild. “It’s over now.”
Catherine finished the paperwork to adopt her grandson six months later. She gave him the last name Miller, which was her ex-husband’s last name. She told the social worker, “Let the boy carry the name of a good man.” Khloe went to college to become an elementary school teacher. She said, “I want to keep kids safe.” “I want them to feel safe, like I never did.”
They moved to a new apartment on the other side of town. In the evenings, Catherine, Khloe, and little Alex Miller would all sit on the balcony together. One night, Khloe picked up her son and murmured quietly, “My boy.” You are a good boy.
Those were the first words of pure, unburdened love she had ever said to her child. Catherine felt a wave of happiness wash over her heart as she knew her daughter was getting better. They were all getting better.
