“Good morning, Mrs. Taylor; this is Dr. Jones from the maternity hospital.
I’m calling to inform you that we just discovered something very serious in one of the routine tests we performed on your son after he was born. He needs to come in for treatment immediately,” the doctor said, sticking to the script. Abby’s response was inaudible from where I stood, but I could imagine her panic and confusion.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t discuss the details over the phone. All I can say for now is that he has a rare genetic condition. I’m sure he does seem fine now, but that could change at any moment.
He’s at a higher risk for several life-threatening conditions. You really need to bring him in today, Mrs. Taylor.”
After ending the call, Dr.
Jones turned to me with a thumbs-up. Then, he held out his hand, his fingers wriggling expectantly for his payment. I paid the doctor and descended the stairs, meandering around the hospital as I tried to gather my thoughts.
My phone’s ring cut through the silence. It was Abby. “You have some nerve to phone me after what you did,” I answered, my voice cold.
“Where’s Logan? I demand you bring him back.”
“Says the man who doesn’t even care enough about him to pay the ransom!” Abby’s voice cracked through the phone, shrill with accusation. “That money was all fake, you tight-fisted jerk.
Logan needs to see a doctor urgently, and I can’t take him because of you. Where’s the real money, Walter?”
“In my account, where it’s been all along. What’s wrong with Logan, or is this just another scheme to get my money?”
Her swearing was followed by sobs.
“I told you; he’s sick! You’ve got to send me money so he can receive treatment. He’ll die without it.”
“I won’t let my son die!
I’ll pay,” I responded and hung up before bursting into angry sobs. After regaining my composure, I transferred the money through my app, hoping to end this nightmare. When I saw my little brother, James, walk into the hospital with Abby and Logan in his arms, my world both collapsed and rebuilt itself in a single moment.
Abby was talking to the receptionist, oblivious to what was about to unfold. It seemed like everything was moving in slow motion as the police officers and FBI agents came forward and surrounded my brother and Abby. I had tipped them off earlier.
“You’re under arrest for kidnapping!” one of the agents announced. Abby’s defensive shriek tore through the lobby. “My son is sick!
He needs to see a doctor!”
“No, he isn’t,” I intervened, my voice steady as I moved closer. “There’s nothing wrong with Logan at all.”
Abby’s eyes, filled with fear and confusion, suddenly burned with anger as she lunged at me, only to be restrained by the police. Both she and James were arrested, leaving me to embrace Logan.
“You think you’ve won? Logan isn’t even yours! You couldn’t get me pregnant, remember?
But whatever’s wrong with you clearly doesn’t run in the family!” Abby’s venomous words cut through the air. I turned to James, who couldn’t bring himself to meet my gaze. The betrayal was more painful than I could have imagined.
Yet, holding Logan, none of that mattered. “My name is on his paperwork. He’s my son, no matter what!” I declared defiantly.
“I will watch him grow up while you two rot behind bars!”
With Logan safe in my arms, I walked away, determined to leave the pain behind. Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
