Sam finally spoke up, trying to justify the situation. “We didn’t make this decision lightly. Noah needs all our attention right now.”
“You think abandoning her was fair?” I asked in disbelief.
Sam muttered, “The agency found her a good placement. She’ll be fine.”
Before I could respond, there was a sharp knock at the door. If only I had known that karma had already arrived.
Sam opened the door to reveal two people in professional attire—one man and one woman.
“Ms. Erin?” the woman asked, holding up an ID. “We’re from Child Protective Services. We need to speak with you regarding some concerns that have come to our attention.”
Erin’s face drained of color as she instinctively tightened her grip on Noah. “CPS? Why?”
“We have questions regarding your adoption process and your ability to provide a stable home for your son,” the woman replied calmly.
Erin looked at us, her eyes wide with disbelief. “What does he have to do with this?”
CPS entered and sat down at the table. “We have reason to believe you expedited the adoption dissolution process and dismissed necessary counseling before relinquishing custody of your daughter, Lily.”
Erin looked around, desperate for support, but none came.
“I followed all the legal procedures!” she stammered.
Her neighbor, Mrs. Thompson, had tipped off CPS about Erin’s sudden decision to return Lily just days after the birth of Noah. The revelation hit Erin hard, and her composure began to crack.
“Wait… you’re not saying—”
“Ma’am, we need to ensure that your current child is in a safe environment. We will be conducting a full investigation,” the CPS worker stated.
Erin’s desperate plea rang in my ears, but I was beyond sympathy for her. “Where is Lily now?” I asked, my voice strained.
Vanessa, the CPS worker, glanced at me. “And you are?”
“Angela, Erin’s sister. I’m also Lily’s godmother.”