For the first time in eight years, the house sounded different.
It sounded complete.
I went into the kitchen alone.
Mark was standing at the window.
"I know you will never forgive me," he said.
I did not reply.
"I don't expect that from you either."
I looked at him.
"You should protect us."
I know.
– It wasn't you.
I know.
I took a deep breath.
Mark wiped his face.
"She found Laura. She knew that Laura had recently lost her baby during pregnancy. She convinced her to take Stefan with her."
Laura shook her head.
"I didn't know what I was doing. I thought Mark had permission."
I looked at her.
"Did you really think I would give you my baby?"
Yes.
"Who told you that?"
He pointed to Rebecca's name on the old hospital document.
"Rebecca".
I closed my eyes.
"I thought I could do it."
"But he didn't do that."
NO.
– Then why didn't you tell me?
Mark's eyes filled with tears.
"Because Rebecca convinced me that you wouldn't survive another shock."
I shook my head.
"That's not an answer."
He looked down.
"She told me, if you knew that Stefan was ill, you would
