“I need the real address. I want to hear the truth from her.”
An hour later, I stood outside a cheap motel room.
The door opened.
Mia looked much younger than nineteen.
She was clutching a phone charger in one hand as though it were the only thing keeping her grounded.
“You’re Sophie’s mom.”
“I am. Can I come in?”
She stepped aside.
The motel room smelled faintly of detergent and stale coffee.
Before I even sat down, Mia spoke.
“Laura would take her away from me.”
“She told me enough.”
Mia’s face changed.
“You saw her?”
“Yes.”
“I wasn’t going to let her decide whether I’m allowed to be my baby’s mother.”
“So you and Sophie made a plan.”
Mia nodded.
“She was only supposed to keep the baby for a few days. I’m working double shifts this week. Once I get paid, I’ll have enough for the deposit on a room.”
“And then?”
“I take my daughter back.”
Her voice was firm.
“Sophie wasn’t going to raise her. I just needed somewhere safe until Friday.”
I looked at Mia’s exhausted face and chapped hands.
She was barely more than a child herself.
And somehow she and Sophie had convinced themselves that they had to solve everything alone.
“Mia, you shouldn’t have to do this by yourself.”
Her shoulders immediately stiffened.
“Come home with me.”
“No.”
“You and your daughter can stay. No conditions.”
“You don’t understand.”
Mia stood.
“If Laura learns where I am, she’ll come here. And if she finds out where my daughter is—”
“She won’t hear it from me.”
Mia let out a bitter laugh.
“You’re her mother. Of course you’d say that.”
“Sophie’s mother.”
She looked directly at me.
“And you searched her things. You called the resort. You went to Laura. Then you found me.”
I stopped.
She was right.
I had spent days chasing answers because not knowing made me crazy.
I had invaded everyone’s privacy while convincing myself I was helping.
“I’m sorry.”
Mia looked surprised.
