Natalie at that moment became alert; she immediately didn’t like that this woman was talking about her daughter, but still replied calmly, «She’s fifteen now, will turn sixteen soon!» Karen nodded, as if remembering. Her gaze became distant, and she continued, as if talking more to herself than to Natalie.
«Yes, of course! I also thought everything would be simple when I was sixteen. That’s when it happened, what changed my whole life. Johnny said he would marry me anyway, that it didn’t matter before or after the wedding, and I believed him.
It happened a few times, and then… then I realized something was wrong with me!» Karen fell silent, immersed in memories. Her voice sounded dull, as if each word came with difficulty. «My mother and grandmother were gynecologists!» she continued after a pause.
«They scolded me, of course, but still helped me get rid of the problem. They assured me they did everything carefully, and I could have children, and I believed them. Then Johnny and I got married, studied, found jobs, lived like everyone else.
But we never had children!» She held her breath, as if gathering strength for the further story. Time went on its course. First thirty, then thirty-five.
I realized that fate apparently gave me one child. But I couldn’t protect even that one. For a moment, bitterness flashed in her eyes.
Johnny always comforted me, said that without children we could be happy, that we could travel and wake up whenever we wanted. And I naively believed him. Karen continued her story, and her voice became barely audible.
As if she was plunging into painful memories. She told how over the years in their relationship with John, a certain detachment began to appear. When they were already approaching forty, John Michael, as she called him, began to slip more and more into his own thoughts.
He became withdrawn and unpredictably cold. She tried to find out what was really happening, but in response she heard only evasive assurances that everything was fine. However, she clearly saw that something was wrong.
The real blow hit her suddenly. Completely by chance, she saw him with another woman. Happy like that, confident.
And next to you. And there was one important moment that was simply impossible not to notice. The rounded belly.
The embodiment of a woman’s dream that she, Karen, never managed to realize. The realization crashed like an avalanche. She felt like she was simply losing her mind.
For weeks she stalked you, desperately hoping to intercept. And anger, real rage, filled her to the point of pain. At home, she behaved absolutely recklessly with her husband.
She made scenes, pouring out all the bitterness on John and accusing him of betrayal. He assured her that he loved only her, but was leaving for that other one only for the child’s sake. But even that didn’t stop her.
She, like a wounded animal, rushed about, howled, tore her hair. Calls to Natalie were her last attempt to hold the family together. She begged to let him go, not to take what seemed to her to be her life.
And at that very second, Natalie quietly replied. — But you never called me. Karen only raised her eyebrows in surprise.
— How didn’t I call? Then who did I call? — I don’t know. Natalie shrugged. — Maybe you called another woman.
— How another? Aren’t you Natalie Smith? — Yes, that’s me. But John wasn’t with me anymore when Emily was born. Natalie hesitated, choosing her words. He came sometimes when he found out I was expecting.
He even came with his things when Emily was only three months old. But then something happened. He suddenly started claiming that Emily wasn’t his daughter, that she didn’t look like him at all.
He even said he was leaving for another woman who gave him a son. And that she was more important to him. Karen listened silently, trying to comprehend what she heard.
— I don’t understand anything. But how is that possible? I remember how I learned about Natalie Smith and was sure it was you. John told me you had a child from him.
Natalie nodded, smiling sadly. — Yes, that’s right, Emily is his daughter. But we weren’t together almost from the beginning.
He said then that his wife left for a lover and that he left her for us. — She’s not his daughter, — the woman stammered. And fell silent.
— What? What are you talking about? Listen, I didn’t take your John away. You know, I was a simple girl from the provinces, and he was a man from high society. He said beautiful words to me, and I believed him.
Then he just left me. So why did you come? Nothing connects me to him except Emily. Get out of here and tell your fairy tales to his wife.
— No. You don’t understand. You don’t understand at all.
She’s not your daughter. And not his, and not yours. She’s completely a stranger.
You know what? Go to hell. Natalie couldn’t hold back anymore. But Karen continued the conversation.
— I’m a doctor. And I came to you in the ward then without any problems. That night, when you were sleeping after the C-section, there was another woman.
She was drunk and cursing all the time. Remember? So, I switched your children. At first, I wanted to take your child for myself.
But the remnants of reason told me that I would be easily caught. Then I decided to make it so that your child would eventually pay for your sins. I switched them and just left.
You’re just crazy. I don’t believe you. Get out immediately.
Natalie no longer chose her words. — Yes, I’ve been in the hospital for many years. But I’m not crazy.
And your real daughter drinks and smokes. The woman laughed a wild laugh. I got revenge on you.
You raised someone else’s child. And your biological daughter is somewhere just hanging out in the alley. Leave.
I don’t believe you. Natalie had already switched to shouting. Unable to endure such a conversation any longer.