CHAPTER 14

I was alone.

Everyone I loved had betrayed me.

Mark had confessed.

Rachel had lied.

Mrs. Carter had hidden the truth.

I didn't know who to trust anymore.

---

I went back to the hospital and sat with Emma.

She was awake.

"Mommy," she said, "are you okay?"

"Yes, baby."

"Why are you sad?"

"I'm just tired."

"Can I do something to help you?"

"Yes, baby. Just be here."

I held her hand and watched her sleep.

She was the only good thing in my life.

She was the only reason I was still fighting.

---

The next morning, I got a phone call from Detective Miller.

"We arrested Rachel," she said.

"What?"

"She confessed."

"She confessed to what?"

"She confessed to poisoning Emma."

"No."

"Yes."

"Why did she confess?"

"Because she felt guilty."

"No. That's not true."

"It is."

"Detective Miller, Rachel is innocent."

"No, she's not."

"Yes, she is."

"Lauren, Rachel confessed."

"Then she's lying."

"Why would she lie?"

"Because someone threatened her."

"Who?"

"I don't know."

"Lauren, Rachel confessed."

"Let me talk to her."

"Okay."

---

I went to see Rachel.

"Rachel, why did you confess?" I asked.

"Because I'm guilty."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am."

"Rachel, I know you didn't do it."

"Yes, I did."

"No, you didn't."

"Lauren, please. Just let it go."

"I can't."

"Lauren, I'm guilty."

"No, you're not."

"Lauren, I killed your daughter."

"She's not dead."

"I know."

"Rachel, tell me the truth."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because if I do, something terrible will happen."

"Something terrible already happened."

"I know."

"So tell me."

"I can't."

"Then I can't help you."

"I know."

"Goodbye, Rachel."

I walked out.

---

I went to see Mark.

"Rachel confessed," I said.

"I know."

"Why did she confess?"

"Because she's guilty."

"No, she's not."

"Yes, she is."

"Mark, I know Rachel didn't do it."

"Yes, she did."

"No, she didn't."

"Mark, tell me the truth."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because if I do, something terrible will happen."

"Something terrible already happened."

"I know."

"So tell me."

"I can't."

"Then I can't help you."

"I know."

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"Goodbye, Mark."

I walked out.