She didn’t notice how Elizabeth turned pale and clasped her hands tighter as she continued her story. After graduating from college, she found work at a textile factory. She excelled at everything, earning praise from her supervisor.
A promotion seemed possible, and she even considered further education, but fate took a sharp turn. Sophie met Ethan, a charming young man with an expensive car who showered her with gifts and flowers. Sophie’s heart melted.
Her dreams seemed within reach, and she imagined their wedding. Ethan had influential parents—his father a sheriff, his mother a city council member. The foster girl believed they would accept her, even though she had no money.
After all, Ethan loved her. She waited for him to introduce her to his parents, but he kept delaying, citing his busy work schedule. Sophie could never understand his work—vague trips, meetings, deals.
Ethan just laughed, saying it wasn’t time for her to know everything yet. Then the police raided her small apartment and found illegal drugs. Sophie was stunned.
Where had they come from? The truth about Ethan’s real activities began to dawn on her. He had been using her apartment to store his drugs. He escaped consequences.
His influential relatives protected him. They made it appear as though Sophie was involved in possessing and distributing drugs. No one believed her protests of innocence.
They pressured her to reveal her accomplices, promising a reduced sentence for cooperation. But Sophie truly knew nothing. Ethan pretended complete innocence, even testifying against her.
Sophie couldn’t believe her beloved would betray her like this. She had trusted him completely, yet he had used and ruined her without hesitation or remorse. Her court-appointed lawyer made no effort to defend her, and the judge sentenced her to five years in a medium-security prison.
Once in prison, Sophie lost her will to live. Deceived, humiliated, slandered. Why had they done this to her? There were so many questions, but no answers.
If it hadn’t been for the support of one fellow inmate at the very beginning, who knows how it would have ended. Rachel was serving time for shoplifting and had a young son living with his grandmother. Despite her circumstances, Rachel remained optimistic and kept telling Sophie that she had to live, to survive despite all her enemies.
“When you get out, then you’ll settle scores,” she said. “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” Sophie only nodded weakly in response.
Revenge? She couldn’t. She wouldn’t be able to. And she couldn’t bear being locked up for so many years.
Then came the unexpected news. Sophie was pregnant. The prison doctor discovered it during her next medical examination and immediately asked if she planned to keep the child.
“I do,” Sophie answered firmly. A ray of hope flickered in her fate. She was no longer alone in this vast world of lies and deceit.
Against all odds, she would endure to raise her baby. Rachel supported her friend’s decision. There was a possibility of early release.
Sophie could live with the baby for up to three years, though in a different facility. They would have to part ways, but it was manageable. Plans were made to transfer Sophie to another prison, but the paperwork kept getting delayed.
They delayed until her fortieth week, and on the bumpy road to the new prison, Sophie went into labor. Thankfully, they encountered this maternity hospital on the way. “You are my savior, Dr. Harper,” Sophie whispered, finishing her story.
“Thank you. I’m just afraid now. Will they really send me back to the old prison? What about my daughter? They promised not to separate us.”
“What should I do?” “Sophie, I’ll try to help you,” Elizabeth said, her voice trembling. “Poor girl, you’ve been through so much. Don’t worry too much.”
“Everything will improve. Now get some rest.” She ran a trembling hand through Sophie’s hair, then stood up abruptly and left before the young woman could see her tears.
Oh, God, how Elizabeth wanted to embrace this girl. Hold her close, shield her from the world. Yes, this was her daughter.
Now she knew it for sure. But it was too soon to tell Sophie. Her girl had already endured so many trials, with more surely to come.
The news of a mother reappearing might be misinterpreted. What if she thought Elizabeth had abandoned her? That confession wasn’t the priority right now. The crucial task was finding a way to help Sophie.
Yes, she was innocent. Elizabeth was certain of that. But mere words wouldn’t help.
Then Elizabeth remembered, about a year ago, the wife of a prominent Washington, D.C., lawyer had given birth in their maternity hospital. They’d been visiting relatives in Ohio when his wife went into labor in her eighth month. The lawyer had been distraught, blaming himself for bringing his pregnant wife to such a remote location.
But Elizabeth had managed to turn the baby herself. And it was born perfectly healthy. The infant needed to stay in the hospital with its mother for a while, but all turned out well.
The lawyer had expressed profound gratitude to Elizabeth, saying he was in her debt, and gave her his business card just in case. She had smiled but kept the card. Now, Elizabeth was frantically searching for that business card.
Fortunately, she found it at the bottom of her purse. “Mr. Sullivan, hello!” Elizabeth began the conversation excitedly. The lawyer immediately recognized her and expressed joy.
After briefly discussing his son and wife, they turned to the matter at hand. Elizabeth explained Sophie’s situation. “Yes, the case is difficult,” the lawyer agreed.
“But I don’t understand why you care so much about this girl. I know you have a good heart, but perhaps things aren’t exactly as she told you.” “This girl, as you put it, is my daughter,” said Elizabeth, swallowing a lump in her throat.
She revealed everything—about the scar, her husband, the blood type, all of it. “You’re certain?” the lawyer asked. “More than certain.”
“Then I’ll take the case,” he replied firmly. “Mr. Sullivan, I’ll pay whatever you ask.” “Dr. Harper, please, you saved my child, and I will save yours.”
“I won’t accept any payment. Here’s what we’ll do. Tomorrow morning, I’ll visit the district attorney’s office and begin working on this.”
“Stay calm. Even if Sophie leaves your hospital tomorrow, she won’t remain in prison for long. Your task is to negotiate with child services to prevent the baby from being sent to foster care right away.”
“By law, we can keep a child in our hospital for a medical examination for a month.” “That’s wonderful.” This conversation gave Elizabeth hope that everything would work out.
Even the guards stationed outside Sophie’s room since night didn’t worry her. Mr. Sullivan would handle everything. The next morning, Sophie was transferred to the prison hospital.
In the corridor, Elizabeth managed to whisper that a lawyer from Washington, D.C., had taken her case. “Be patient. Your ordeal will soon be over.”
She squeezed the girl’s hand. “Get away from the prisoner,” the guard barked.
Elizabeth stepped back without argument, offering Sophie only a smile. “Dr. Harper, will you look after Emma?” Sophie called out desperately. “Emma?” Elizabeth paled.
“I named my daughter that.” “Of course I will,” she replied. Later, she gazed at the door behind which Sophie had disappeared under escort.
Emma. That was Elizabeth’s mother’s name. Why had Sophie chosen that name? She couldn’t possibly have remembered her grandmother’s name.
Blood memory? Elizabeth could find no other explanation. Elizabeth went to the nursery where little Emma lay. The baby was awake, her blue eyes taking in the world, unaware of the struggle surrounding her and her mother.
“My little girl, my granddaughter,” Elizabeth whispered. “Grow up, gain strength. I’ll pray that everything works out.”
She touched the baby’s soft cheek, feeling a sweet warmth spread through her. Leaving the nursery, Elizabeth contemplated whom to contact about Emma’s guardianship. She encountered the department head, recently returned from a conference.
“Quite a day yesterday, Dr. Harper,” he smiled and continued. “First time we’ve had a prisoner give birth here.”
“Good that she’s been moved. I’ll arrange to have the baby transferred soon. There could be complications.”
“Please don’t rush with the child.” Elizabeth met his eyes firmly. “Dr. Wilson, if possible, I’d like to take the child myself.”
“Elizabeth, what are you thinking?” the department head exclaimed. “This isn’t a puppy. It’s a baby requiring constant care.”
“How will you manage? What about work? I understand maternal instinct, but why take this on? You’re not young anymore. And when the convict is released, what then?” “Dr. Wilson, so many questions,” Elizabeth smiled.
“I’ve made my decision. If they grant me custody, I’ll take maternity leave.” “Elizabeth, I won’t allow it.”
“Kenneth, enough!” Elizabeth waved him off and walked away. She wasn’t going to explain anything to the head doctor, who had asked her out more than once while he was married. No, he wasn’t cruel or vindictive.
Just now, all explanations were unnecessary. Elizabeth was headed to the child services office, where the chief specialist was a woman she had helped in labor. Elizabeth hoped to persuade her to grant temporary custody of Emma.
It wasn’t easy, but Elizabeth succeeded. Within a week, they gave her the little girl. As promised, she took a leave of absence.
Her colleagues were shocked. No one understood why she, an excellent specialist devoted to her work, suddenly gave up everything to care for a convict’s child. Several months passed.
Elizabeth cared for Emma, and the baby grew healthy, resembling her mother more each day. Her eyes turned blue, and chestnut curls formed atop her head. Grandmother admired her little granddaughter.
Yes, she was certain Sophie was her daughter. No DNA tests were needed. Emma was an exact copy of little Sophie, just as Elizabeth remembered her.
Throughout this time, she wrote to her daughter, describing Emma’s development and their daily life, but she never hinted about who Sophie truly was. The time wasn’t right. Sophie’s case underwent review.
The investigation was difficult and lengthy. After three months, the lawyer gathered all the evidence proving Ethan was guilty of the crime for which Sophie was serving time. Ethan was arrested, and Sophie was finally acquitted and released from prison.