The hospital called and said a little boy had listed me as his emergency contact. I laughed nervously and said, “That’s impossible. I’m 32, single, and I don’t have a son.”

children always know when adults are lying.
“I think she was trying to keep you safe,” I said.
His eyes filled. “Is she coming?”
“I don’t know yet.”
The honest answer hurt him, but not as much as a false promise would have.
I called Detective Reed from the hallway while Maribel stayed with Oliver. He answered on the second ring, alert despite the hour.
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