Chapter 5 - JENNA
Andrew told me the official version again that night.
Jenna was Ethan’s biological mother.
She was young when he was born.
She struggled.
She left.
Martha helped Andrew stabilize things.
Martha handled communication because Andrew was overwhelmed.
Jenna eventually stopped trying.
That story had sounded sad when I first heard it.
Now it sounded edited.
I played the recording for Andrew.
Every word.
Martha’s voice filled our bedroom.
She has no idea what you let me do so Ethan could stay with you.
You knew Jenna never abandoned him.
You knew after the first letter.
Andrew sat on the edge of the bed with his face in his hands.
Sophie slept in her crib beside us.
Ethan was in his room with the door open because he no longer wanted doors shut.
I asked one question.
“How many letters?”
Andrew did not answer immediately.
That told me there was more than one.
“How many?”
“Three that I saw.”
“That you saw?”
“My mom handled most of it.”
“You let her.”
He looked up.
“I was twenty-nine and terrified of losing him.”
“And Jenna?”
“She was using again.”
“Did you see proof?”
His face crumpled slightly.
“My mother said—”
I laughed once.
A broken sound.
“Your mother said.”
He looked ashamed.
Good.
“Did Jenna sign away rights?”
“There was paperwork.”
“Did you watch her sign it?”
“No.”
“Did you go to court?”
“Martha said it was handled through an attorney.”
I stared at my husband.
“You built Ethan’s entire life on Martha said?”
He flinched.
But he did not deny it.
The next morning, I called a family attorney.
Not Andrew’s.
Mine.
Her name was Patricia Holt, and she listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she said:
“Do not destroy the recording. Do not confront Martha further. Secure every document related to Ethan’s custody, guardianship, adoption, or support.”
“What if Andrew refuses?”
“Then that tells us something.”
I repeated those words to Andrew.
He went pale.
Then he gave me the box.
It had been in the back of our bedroom closet for years.
Inside were old papers, a birth certificate, medical forms, and three unopened envelopes addressed to Ethan.
Different birthdays.
May you like
Different years.
All from Jenna.
