Upon hearing the psychologistâs words, Estherâs heart sank. âDoctor, what do we do now? Do you really have to inform the adoptive parents?â
The psychologist nodded. âYes, Ms. Quill. Theyâre legally responsible for Pixie.â
Esther clenched her teeth and said, âBut Iâm Pixieâs real mother.â
The psychologist studied Esther intently and gently reminded her, âMs. Quill, even if you have a DNA test proving your relationship, the adoptive parents still have legal rights.â
âOkay, I get it.â
Esther was determined not to return Pixie to the couple who had adopted her. She held onto the hope that the DNA test results would allow her to take Pixie back.
âIf youâre concerned about Pixie, you can wait in the hallway,â the psychologist offered.
He had seen Estherâs story on Frontline Scoop and admired her unwavering motherly love. He empathized with her situation, so his approach wasnât completely indifferent.
âAlright, thank you.â
Esther sat on the bench, her emotions roiling for a long time.
The latest DNA test results would take some time, and Esther had to be prepared for any outcome.
On the one hand, she needed to be ready in case the test proved Pixie was her daughter. She had to determine if she could legally change the custody rights through a lawyer.
On the other hand, if the latest DNA test still showed that Pixie was not her daughter, what could she do to free Pixie from her adoptive parents?
Esther was unfamiliar with the local laws, so she called Benz for advice.
âBenz, could you recommend a lawyer to me for changing custody rights?â
Benz casually swept his hair away from his forehead and said confidently, âI have a lawyerâs license. I can handle the custody rights change for you. But, Ms. Quill, I must remind you that if youâre Pixieâs biological mother, changing custody rights will be relatively straightforward.
âHowever, if the court requests a DNA test between you and Pixie, and it confirms youâre not her biological mother, the judge will not agree to a custody change.â
Esther was filled with anxiety. âBut I canât let Pixie return to the couple who adopted her!â
âMs. Quill, when a judge decides on custody rights, theyâll take the childâs wishes into full consideration.
If youâre not Pixieâs biological mother and she still wants to be with them, thereâs nothing we can do.â
Esther felt her temples throb with unbearable pain. She let out a long sigh and said softly, Alright, Iâll wait for the latest DNA test results.â
As Esther waited for the test results, her heart was torn in agony. Uncontrollable thoughts of worst-case scenarios filled her mind-what if Pixie was not her daughter? Where was her biological daughter?
Had Bradley hidden her away?
No, that could not be!
Had Bradley killed her?
Esther had never experienced such tension and unease before. She grabbed her phone, attempting to call Bradley. She dialed his familiar number repeatedly, only to hang up each time without a word.