My Family Saved Their Adopted Daughter First, Then I Died Before Their Eyes novel · Chapter 5 of 24

Chapter 5: Before Nine

"It's a coincidence," I said.

Birdie was asleep between us with the rabbit under her chin. I said it in a whisper, and it sounded worse in a whisper.

"Is it?" Eli asked.

"There are three hundred and sixty-five birthdays. My mother adopted her from a private agency, and she told me the file is sealed."

"Did you ask to see it?"

"Don't." My hands were shaking. "You don't get to walk in here tonight and start pulling at things. Not after what you did."

He went very still.

"What I did?"

"Not in front of her."

He looked at Birdie. He looked at me.

"Okay," he said. "I'll be in the parking lot. If you need anything, you flash the light."

He left. I didn't sleep.

At 8:40 the next morning someone pounded on the door.

I had been awake since five, watching Birdie breathe. I opened it with the chain on.

My mother stood on the walkway in a cream blazer with her purse over her arm. Two officers stood behind her, and beside them a man in a navy suit with a briefcase.

"Good morning, Nell," she said. "It's not nine yet, but I thought we'd save everyone time."

"I said nine."

"This is our family's attorney," she said. "He has something to read you."

The lawyer cleared his throat. "Ms. Ostrander, your mother is the child's legal guardian. She hasn't consented to this overnight."

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