Chapter 1: The Woman Who Took My Daughter
Today she calls me Mom.
Tasha can arrive late and look crazy.
That was what Kiara told herself as she walked Maya toward the school exit, wearing the kindest smile she could manage.
To anyone watching, she looked like a loving mother.
Her fingers were wrapped around Maya's little hand. Her other hand carried a cream-colored document folder with Derek's name printed neatly across the front.
Maya hugged her pink backpack against her chest.
"Are we going home now?"" the little girl asked.
Kiara looked down and smiled.
"Of course, sweetheart. We're going somewhere special first.""
"Is Mommy coming?""
For half a second, Kiara's smile tightened.
Then she crouched to straighten Maya's jacket.
"Your mommy is busy today. Daddy asked me to take care of you.""
Maya looked toward the school entrance.
"But Mommy said she'd bring my medicine.""
Kiara brushed a strand of hair away from the girl's forehead.
"I have everything under control, honey.""
She didn't.
Not that it mattered to her.
What mattered was the document inside the folder.
And the card.
A school pickup authorization bearing Derek's signature.
Kiara had spent the previous evening making sure everything looked official. The paper was clean, the signature was clear, and the school had already received confirmation from Derek.
She didn't need Tasha's permission.
At least, that was what she wanted everyone to believe.
Mrs. Carter stood beside the entrance desk, watching them approach.
"Good afternoon, Kiara," she said warmly.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Carter.""
Kiara held out the folder.
"Here's the authorization Derek mentioned. And this is my pickup card.""
Mrs. Carter examined the documents.
She checked the signature.
Then she checked the identification card.
"Everything seems to be in order," she said.
Kiara gave her a grateful smile.
"Thank you. Derek has been so busy lately. I'm just helping him make things easier for Maya.""
Mrs. Carter glanced at the little girl.
"You're lucky to have so many people looking after you, sweetheart.""
Maya didn't answer.
She was staring at the medicine pouch clipped to the side of her backpack.
Kiara gently took her hand again.
"Come on, sweetheart. Let's go.""
Mrs. Carter nodded.
"Have a good afternoon.""
"Thank you. You too.""
The exchange took less than a minute.
Mrs. Carter returned the documents.
Kiara tucked them into her folder, led Maya through the exit, and disappeared beyond the school doors.
The authorization had been accepted.
The child had been released.
And nobody had called Tasha.
Three minutes later, Tasha hurried into the school wearing a bright yellow coat.
A small medicine bag hung from her wrist.
Her hair was slightly disheveled, and she was still holding her car keys.
She had left work early to collect Maya.
She had even stopped at the pharmacy because Maya's prescription needed refilling.
Tasha expected to find her daughter waiting near the classroom.
Instead, she found an empty corridor.
She walked to the front desk.
"Hi. I'm here to pick up Maya.""
Mrs. Carter looked up.
For a moment, the older woman's expression changed.
She avoided Tasha's eyes and glanced down at the pickup list.
"Your daughter has already been collected.""
Tasha stopped moving.
"What?""
"She has already left.""
Tasha tightened her grip on the medicine bag.
"Who picked her up?""
Mrs. Carter folded her hands on the desk.
"The person authorized by her father.""
Tasha stared at her.
"What person?""
"A woman. She had Derek's card and a signed document.""
Tasha's face went pale.
"Was it Kiara?""
Mrs. Carter hesitated.
"I believe that was her name.""
Tasha shook her head.
"No. No, that's not possible.""
She placed the medicine bag on the counter.
"Listen to me carefully. I am Maya's mother. I did not authorize anyone to take my daughter.""
Mrs. Carter shifted uncomfortably.
"Perhaps you should discuss this with her father.""
Tasha leaned closer.
"You're telling me you handed my child to someone because she showed you a piece of paper?""
"She had the proper authorization.""
"Did you call me?""
Mrs. Carter said nothing.
"Did you even try?""
"We followed the documents provided.""
Tasha's voice dropped.
"You didn't even check whether her mother knew.""
Mrs. Carter picked up the attendance sheet, pretending to review it.
"Again, I suggest you speak with Derek.""
Tasha grabbed her phone.
She dialed his number.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
Then she switched on the speaker.
"Derek, answer me.""
He picked up.
"What is it, Tasha?""
"Did you send someone to collect Maya?""
There was a pause.
Tasha's expression changed.
"Derek?""
His voice came through the speaker, low and controlled.
"Why are you at the school?""
Tasha looked at Mrs. Carter.
"Because I came to collect my daughter. And she's gone.""
Another silence.
Then Derek said something that made Tasha's fingers go cold.
She stared at the phone as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"You knew?"" she whispered.
Mrs. Carter looked up.
Tasha's breathing became uneven.
"You knew Kiara was taking her?""
Before Derek could say anything else, another school employee hurried through the rear entrance.
He was holding a loose sheet of paper.
"Mrs. Carter!""
The receptionist turned.
"What happened?""
The employee looked between the two women.
"That woman who collected Maya. She didn't leave through the usual pickup area.""
Tasha stepped forward.
"What do you mean?""
The employee swallowed.
"She took the little girl through the back gate.""
Tasha's yellow coat slipped from her hand and landed on a nearby chair.
She turned toward Mrs. Carter.
"Where does the back gate lead?""
Mrs. Carter looked toward the rear corridor.
Her face lost its color.
May you like
She opened her mouth.
But before she could answer, the chapter ended.
