The jail cell was small, cold, and smelled of metal. Angela sat on the hard bench, her hands shaking.
How could watching her own child be against the law?
The next morning, a man in a suit came to see her.
“Mrs. Angela,” he said in a cold, business-like voice, “I represent Mrs. Wilson.”
Angela sat up quickly. “Please tell her I’m sorry. I just wanted to see my daughter.”
“My client is willing to drop the charges,” the lawyer said. “Under one condition.”
“What condition?” Angela asked, hopeful.
“You must sign this document promising never to contact Mrs. Wilson or the child again. You must also agree to leave the city within 24 hours.”
Angela’s face went pale. “Leave the city? But this is my home. My husband is buried here. My daughter is here.”
“That child is no longer your concern,” the lawyer said coldly. “You made your choice when you accepted Mrs. Wilson’s money.”
Angela’s voice shook. “I changed my mind. I want her back.”
“It doesn’t work that way,” the man said. “You signed the papers. The adoption is final.”
“But she’s not happy,” Angela cried. “Anyone can see she’s not happy!”
“That’s not for you to decide anymore,” the lawyer said flatly. “Sign the paper, or Mrs. Wilson will make sure you spend the next 20 years in prison.”
Angela stared at him. “Twenty years for what?”
“Stalking, harassment, trespassing, making threats. Mrs. Wilson has powerful friends. She can make your life very difficult.”
Angela felt trapped. If she signed the paper, she’d lose Sonia forever. But if she refused, she might spend years in prison and still lose her daughter.
“I need time to think,” she whispered.
“You have one hour,” the lawyer said, standing up.
Angela sat there shaking. Both choices meant losing Sonia. But at least if she signed, she’d still have her freedom—what little of it was left.
When the lawyer came back, Angela stood up slowly.
“I won’t sign,” she said firmly.
The lawyer raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Mrs. Wilson doesn’t take no easily.”
“I’m sure,” Angela said, tears in her eyes. “I won’t promise to stay away from my own child.”
“Very well,” the lawyer said, gathering his papers. “Don’t say you weren’t warned.”
Two weeks later, Angela stood in a courtroom. Catherine was there, sitting beside her expensive lawyer, dressed in her usual fine clothes. Angela stood alone. She couldn’t afford a lawyer.
“Your honor,” Catherine’s lawyer began smoothly, “my client has been terrorized by this woman. Mrs. Angela refuses to accept that she legally gave up her parental rights.”
The judge turned to Angela, frowning. “Mrs. Angela, according to these documents, you willingly signed away your rights in exchange for money. Now you’re harassing the family who legally adopted your child.”
Angela’s mouth went dry. When the judge said it like that, it sounded so terrible.
