Emily smiled through tears.
“June?”
Rebecca laughed softly.
“Terrible name?”
“No.”
“Just surprising.”
Emily continued.
The woman in the other room lost her baby tonight.
Her husband says she wanted a daughter more than anything.
If she loves you, please do not grow up believing my love and hers cancel each other out.
I covered my mouth.
Rebecca had written at nineteen what all the adults around her had failed to understand.
I am not giving you away forever tonight.
I am asking for time to become safe.
Emily stopped.
Zane had known that.
Helen had known.
I looked at her.
She cried.
“Keep reading.”
Zane promised six months.
If I do not return, he may begin whatever legal process is necessary.
But he must tell Claire the truth before leaving this hospital.
My anger became physical.
I gripped the chair.
Emily continued.
Claire deserves to decide whether she can love you after knowing what happened to her own baby.
