Chapter 3 - One Suitcase Only.
Marisol unzipped the black tote, and the first thing she removed was Lily's favorite stuffed rabbit.
The second was a folded white dress identical to the one Lily was wearing.
Then came pajamas, socks, a toothbrush, three books, and the framed photograph of Claire that normally sat beside Lily's bed.
I stared at the photograph.
It had been in our house that morning.
"Where did you get this?"
Marisol swallowed.
"Rebecca gave me the bag yesterday."
Rebecca stepped forward.
"That is an emergency overnight bag."
Marisol shook her head.
"You told me a driver from Havenridge would collect Lily after the ceremony."
The room became completely still.
Rebecca's expression hardened.
"You misunderstood me."
"You gave me written instructions."
Marisol reached into the side pocket and produced a cream envelope.
Rebecca lunged for it.
Hannah caught her wrist before she could grab it.
"Don't."
Rebecca jerked free.
"This is insane."
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a typed schedule for my daughter's wedding day.
2:15 p.m. - ceremony begins.
3:05 p.m. - photographs without child after family group.
3:30 p.m. - nanny escorts child through service corridor.
4:00 p.m. - Havenridge transport arrives at east gate.
4:30 p.m. - intake.
At the bottom, one sentence had been underlined twice.
Do not allow Ethan to accompany transport because separation will worsen behavior.
I read it again because my mind refused to accept the words.
"You planned to remove my daughter from my wedding through a service corridor?"
Rebecca's eyes filled with tears, but I no longer trusted tears from her.
"I was trying to protect our marriage."
"From my six-year-old?"
"From a situation you refuse to address."
Lily whispered behind me.
"I can be better, Daddy."
I turned so fast that the room blurred.
"You do not have to be better for me to keep you."
Her lower lip trembled.
"Rebecca said you wanted a new family."
Hannah covered her mouth.
Marisol looked down.
Rebecca stared at Lily with unmistakable fury.
"I never said that."
Lily flinched.
I stepped between them.
"Do not look at her like she's your enemy."
Outside the door, voices were gathering.
Guests had started to realize something serious was happening.
My best man, Caleb, entered and quietly told me the officiant wanted to know whether the ceremony was canceled.
"It is postponed."
Rebecca laughed once, sharp and disbelieving.
"Postponed?"
"Until I know what you've done."
She wiped beneath one eye without disturbing her makeup.
"Fine."
Her voice suddenly became cold.
"Then ask your precious nanny why she went through my private things."
Marisol reached into the tote again.
"I didn't go through them."
She pulled out a glossy brochure.
The cover showed smiling children on a green lawn beneath the words Havenridge Behavioral Residence.
A yellow sticky note was attached to the front.
The handwriting was Rebecca's.
Lily leaves today.
Do not let Ethan change his mind.
I looked at Rebecca.
"You wrote this."
She said nothing.
I flipped open the brochure.
An enrollment form had been tucked inside.
Halfway down the first page was my full legal name.
Beside it was a signature that looked almost exactly like mine.
May you like
Almost.
I had never signed it.
