Ben, I started my

on a lie, I needed to

ords of my own adoption. It was a fortress of legal docume

ortresses

s couple declared "unfit" in a closed-door hearing. The lega

is first. I told him where I was going. He was

use at dawn, using a ca

ured lawns. It was Rust Belt, worn down but proud.

d the door. She looked at my face,

" she w

vid, came to the door behind her. T

own daughter couldn't provide. She found me. She used her army of lawyers to paint them as neglectful, unstab

e ever since, with only a singl

few hours, I felt a connection that

k SUV pulled

Scarlett

cold. They ha

owned it. Julian's face was a mask of fury

weeping over the threadbare living room

Julian?" I asked, steppi

orting with these people? They're trying

e!" my mothe

ted for extortion right now. We can tell the world you sold your baby on

at me, his eye

ver contact these people again. You will tell the press you were

" I

arm. "You will do it to protect them. Or I will destroy them. I will

apped. To save them, I

y mother's te

ed, de