She Said to Wait, But Our Baby Couldn't novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: Leaked

The detective called on Monday morning, as promised.

"We released her last night," she said. "She hasn't been charged. I want to be honest with you about that."

"She sat in a room with you for six hours."

"With a new lawyer, who told her to say nothing."

"And what does that mean?"

"It means we need more than a recording of her yelling."

I sat on the edge of Jenna's guest bed and looked at the wall.

"Then get more," I said.

"I'm trying. Stay off the internet today."

It was too late for that.

At eight, Jenna came into the room with her phone held out in front of her.

"Don't be mad."

"Show me."

It was a gossip site with a pink banner.

The headline said, Grieving Mom's Secret Mental Health Struggle: Was Willa Hartley Unwell All Along?

Under it was a photo of me from the memorial, my face blotchy and my mouth open.

Under that was a scan of a form.

It was a questionnaire from my twelve-week appointment, with a box checked next to Feeling anxious or on edge, nearly every day.

My name and date of birth were printed at the top.

A quote from "a source close to Ms. Tolbert" said I had refused help for weeks and had "a fixation on control."

Another said my insomnia had been so severe that people around me were afraid.

I read it twice.

"Where did she get my medical form?" I said.

"Dean," Jenna said. "He had the portal login. He uploaded it to the chat in week thirteen. Patricia told me last night. She went through the whole thread."

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