Angela stood there on the street, trembling and helpless, watching the gates close behind her.
She went back to her tiny apartment, the same empty silence waiting for her, and sank to the floor.
She had lost her daughter forever—and this time there was nothing she could do about it.
Three days later, Angela went back to Catherine’s neighborhood. But this time she was careful. She hid behind different trees, watching from far away.
She saw Sonia again, sitting quietly on the porch with her teddy bear. All around her were expensive toys—shiny dolls, a swing, even a small bicycle.
But Sonia wasn’t playing with any of them. She just sat there hugging her teddy, staring at the ground.
Angela’s heart ached.
Her daughter had everything money could buy, but not the one thing she truly needed: love.
Just as Angela was about to leave, she heard sirens.
Two police cars stopped right on the street where she was standing.
“We need you to come with us,” one of the officers said, walking toward her.
Angela froze. “What? Why?”
“You’re under arrest for stalking and harassment,” the policeman said, pulling out handcuffs.
“What? No, I wasn’t doing anything wrong!” Angela cried. “I was just walking down the street!”
“We received a complaint from Mrs. Catherine Wilson. She says you’ve been watching her house and threatening her family.”
Angela looked toward Catherine’s mansion and saw her standing at the window, smiling coldly as the officers cuffed her.
“That’s not true!” Angela shouted desperately. “She has my daughter. I gave her my daughter, but now I want her back!”
The policeman exchanged looks. “You need to calm down. You’re not making sense.”
“Please, you have to listen to me,” Angela begged as they pushed her toward the car. “That woman took my daughter. I made a mistake and now she won’t let me see her.”
“According to our records, you legally gave up your parental rights. The child now belongs to Mrs. Wilson.”
As the police car drove away, Angela looked back.
At the window, Sonia had appeared. She pressed her little face against the glass, watching her mother being taken away.
Angela’s heart shattered all over again.
