I knew she was right, but I didn’t want to believe it. I tried everything. Pressing on her little chest, breathing into her mouth the way I’d seen people do CPR on TV. But Millie stopped me and hugged me, held me. Telling me we were running out of time. Her gaze kept shooting to the door. There was a wildness in her eyes, but also a determination.

“Come on, Whit. You’ve always said you wanted to help me. Now’s your chance,” she said, her tone desperate. “Things have gotten worse with Mitch, okay? I’ll never be safe from him, but she can be. You can make sure she is.”

Even stricken by grief over my own child, I could see it then. Everything I’d done. The good and the bad, finally turning into something good.

I remember looking at you in Millie’s arms. You were so beautiful. And I knew in that moment, I could love you. Raise you. Give you a good life. Save you.

I could still have everything I’d ever wanted.

When I looked up into Millie’s eyes staring at me with desperation, I knew I couldn’t say no. I never could say no to her.

So, we did it. Millie switched the tags.

I cried and kissed my baby goodbye one last time.

You became my Amelia.

I remember Millie standing in the doorway, holding my still baby in her arms, and she made me promise to always keep you safe.

I kept the promise I made to her that day. I’ve always kept you safe.

38

SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M.
THIRTY-NINE HOURS
AFTER DROP-OFF

LAUREN COULD TELL Amelia was buying Whitney’s story. But she didn’t. There was no way her mom would give up her baby. She remembered that day in the hospital. Her mom was glowing with happiness. The love she felt for her daughter radiating off of her. No way would she just hand her over to someone else.

Then again, there were aspects of Whitney’s story that rang true, like her dad’s abuse.

As a child, there were times when she thought her dad was the best. Funny. Loud. Boisterous. He’d play toys with her, making up funny voices for all her characters. And he’d take her to the park and push her on the swing. But on his dark days, there was no laughing or playing with toys. He’d yell at Lauren, telling her to keep it down. Once, she’d built a huge Lego tower. It took her days to finish. And he struck it down in one second. She still remembered being on the ground on her knees, desperately trying to gather up all the pieces.