Charlotte stood by the window, watching from above as her husband led their daughter away by the hand their former daughter. Any moment now, the car door would slam shut, the engine would start, and it would carry them both awayonly for him to return alone later. Bitter tears streamed down Charlottes cheeks, dripping onto the head of their one-year-old baby girl, who squirmed unhappily in her arms, whimpering. Charlotte held her tighter, her heart clenched with pain, shame, and regret
They had tried for years to have a child, but it never happened, so the decision to adopt felt like the obvious choice. The hard part was making it happen. Charlotte remembered their first visit to the orphanagethe wary, too-old eyes in the childrens faces, watching them with a mix of hope and fear.
Emily had caught her attention right away, even though her husband had hoped for a boy. With her fair braids and huge, bright eyes, the eleven-year-old looked strikingly like Charlottes late mother, and her heart had melted. Emily seemed just as drawn to them, lighting up every time they visited.
The shock came when the orphanage director explained that Emily was considered a “forever orphan.” Shed been adopted four timesand returned every single time. Charlotte didnt dwell on the reasons. Her kind heart only ached for a child whod been abandoned over and over by those shed learned to call parents.
While they waited for the paperwork to finalise, they brought Emily home more often. The girl already had her own room in their modest two-bed flat, something she adored. Kids in care werent just deprived of thingsthey lacked love, attention, and personal space. Now, Emily had all three in abundance.
And then, a miracle happenedCharlotte found out she was pregnant. It was one of those strange twists of fate, where adopting a child somehow made a biological one possible. They were overjoyed but never once considered cancelling the adoptiontheyd already grown to love Emily deeply.
Time passed, the adoption was approved, and Emily left the orphanageor so they thoughtfor good. Eleven was old enough to understand things, so the psychologist helping Emily adjust insisted they tell her about the baby.
They did. It was more of a monologue, really. As they took turns explaining, Emily just stared at them with those huge grey eyes, silent and serious. They reassured her theyd love her just the same, that no one could ever replace her. But when they mentioned shed eventually have to share her room with the baby, her expression hardened. She turned and walked out without another word.
After that, Emily started acting strangely. Shed cling to them whenever they were home, wrapping her arms around them so tightly it was almost painful. Shed sneak up behind Charlotte, hugging her neck with unsettling force, her teeth grinding, her eyes glassy. “I love you, Mummy,” shed say, more and more often.
Charlotte hugged her back, kissed her, soothed herbut her husband was uneasy. He loved Emily just as much, but something felt off. The psychologist, after a few sessions, assured them Emily was adapting remarkably well. The clinginess? Just a fear of sharing their attention.
The real nightmare began when baby Sophie arrived. Born slightly premature, she was fussy and demanded constant care. To avoid disturbing Emily, they kept Sophies crib in their bedroom. Charlotte did her best to split her time between both girls, but by evening, she was exhausted, collapsing into a fitful sleep. Her husband helped where he couldtaking Emily to school, reading bedtime storiesbut at first, nothing seemed wrong.
Then Charlotte noticed that whenever she left Sophie alone with Emily, the baby would suddenly start screaming hysterically. Shed rush in to find Emily hovering dutifully over her sister, but one day she caught her pinching Sophies nose shut.
Charlotte snatched Sophie up, struggling to stay calm as she questioned Emily, who just stared back, silent. That evening, her husband managed to coax out a flimsy excuse”I was just wiping her nose.” The psychologist brushed it off again: Emily just needed more love.
Then came another warningCharlotte stopped Emily just in time as she tried to feed Sophie a bottle of scalding hot formula. Emily just watched their reactions, those big, beautiful eyes eerily empty. For the first time, Charlotte wondered if there was any love in them at all.
As Sophie grew calmer, it seemed Emily had accepted her. Summer arrived, and theyd promised Emily a seaside tripher first ever. But with a newborn, it was impossible. When Charlotte gently explained, Emily erupted. She howled, thrashed, refused to listen. The psychologist still saw nothing wrongif anything, he praised Emilys politeness.
That night, Charlotte put Emily to bed herself, talking to her for hours. She even started blaming herself for Emilys jealousyuntil Emily asked, casually, what would happen if Sophie disappeared. Would they love her more? Would they take her to the seaside then?
Charlotte answered carefully, but inside, she knewEmily didnt need a psychologist. She needed a psychiatrist. Exhausted, Charlotte fell into a deep sleep only to wake to strange sounds. She looked overEmily was pressing a pillow over Sophies face.
Charlotte lunged, grabbing Sophie just in time. She wanted to slap Emilybut froze when she saw the pure hatred in her eyes. Emily ranted then, venomous words Charlotte would never forget. She hated Sophie. Wanted her gone. Promised to make it happen.
After that came endless consultations, desperate attempts to reason with Emily, who only grew more adamant: “Get rid of her, or I will.”
And now, Charlotte stood at the window, watching her husband walk Emily back to the orphanage. Their former daughter.
Emily stopped, turned, and stared straight at the flat. Charlotte flinched as if struck, staggering back in tears. When she dared to look again, they were goneonly fresh snow covering their footprints.
