It was the second time someone had said that to me.
“Know what?”
Laura stepped backward.
Then she said the words that changed everything.
“Mia was Daniel’s.”
I stared at her.
“What?”
“Daniel never knew. I never told him.”
I could barely process what she was saying.
Laura continued.
“Sophie found my name among some of Daniel’s old things about six months ago. She contacted Mia. They took a DNA test.”
My knees almost gave out beneath me.
“That’s why Sophie took the job at the resort?”
Laura nodded.
Sophie had discovered that she had a half sister.
And she had known for months.
“Has Mia contacted you recently?”
Laura’s jaw tightened.
“Barely. She left after we had an argument.”
“About what?”
Laura looked away.
“She was pregnant.”
“You knew?”
“Of course I knew.”
“What happened?”
“I told her the truth. She’s nineteen. She has no money and no stable place to live. She’s in no position to raise a baby.”
A chill moved through me.
“What exactly did you expect her to do?”
Laura folded her arms.
“If she couldn’t support the baby, I would find someone who could.”
And suddenly every strange detail clicked into place.
Sophie hadn’t stolen Mia’s baby.
She had been helping Mia hide her.
That was why Mia hadn’t gone home.
That was why Sophie had refused to tell me anything.
Laura was threatening to take Mia’s child away.
“Do you know where Mia is?” Laura asked.
“No.”
It was true.
But even if I had known, I realized I wouldn’t have told her.
I left Laura’s house, drove until I found an empty parking lot, and called Sophie.
“I know who Mia is.”
There was silence.
I could hear the baby fussing softly in the background.
“Mom…”
“Where is Mia, Sophie?”
Another silence.
