Unbelievable
While the police officer described the entire story to her, Chloe Steward stood still, unable to move. Something so horrible had happened to her, and she couldn't believe it.
The legal guardian of her child was arrested while she was a mere child. In the beginning, she had a hunch when she was given the baby.
Not A Fan
Robert Brady, Chloe's stepfather, was not a favorite of hers. She knew he would be in trouble from the moment her mother brought him home.
She couldn't do anything but stay with him, as she had no other choice. She became Robert's legal guardian after her mother passed away two years prior. It never occurred to her that things would turn out like this.
Left With No Options
Despite Chloe's tender age at the time of the incident, Robert's antics and ridiculous requests had to be endured by her.
She would have to push her limits, though, this time due to Robert's request. In spite of the fact that she couldn't leave, she could take revenge. Exactly that was what she intended to do.
Four More Trips Around The Sun
Robert had always been Chloe's worst nightmare. She would then be eighteen years old and could leave the house legally.
In that year, however, things took a dramatic turn. It was a change that would completely upend Chloe's life. There was no way she would stand by while all her plans went up in flames.
Capable
Chloe was convinced she could make it through the next four years before all this happened. As long as she kept quiet and complied, all she would have to do was stay silent.
But Robert's next request would change how she lived and how she behaved. As a result, he pushed things too far, and everything was ruined.
That One Fateful Day
Like any other day, it began as usual. Shortly after Chloe arrived home from school, Robert arrived as well. There was a feeling of paranoia and exhaustion in him. He was holding a baby, and that's what mattered most.
Despite her suspicions, Chloe was shoved into their arms by him before she could say anything. Robert left once again, saying, "I'll take care of it.".
All On Her Own
The suspicion in Chloe's eyes became confusion as she gazed at the baby. Yet, there she was with a stranger's baby in her arms; all she wanted to do was her homework.
She did not see Robert for a couple of days after that. The little girl was now Chloe's problem, and she realized that very quickly.
What Was Happening?
We had already gone a week without seeing each other. To take care of the baby, Chloe missed school and spent her own money. Although she obeyed orders, that didn't make her a mere follower.
As the young Texan began to wonder what the truth was behind the situation, she realized she wasn't as stupid as she thought.
Who Were The Parents?
It was starting to look like Chloe was wondering whose baby it was. Could you tell me where her parents were? Is there a reason she was stuck looking after their child?
In her heart, she knew it couldn't be Robert's child. I'm wondering where he got her from. The next time he showed up at her house, she asked him exactly those questions.
Inexplicable
No answers were given to Chloe. His behavior became aggressive when she questioned him, as he was drunk when he arrived.
?It isn?t your problem! ? he said. ?Don't think twice; just do what you were told! Chloe was puzzled by his reaction, and it prompted her to search further. One way or another, she?d get to the bottom of things.
A Few Days Pass
After a heated argument, Robert left again, and Chloe spent the next week alone with the baby. That was the one part of the situation that she didn?t mind.
Chloe preferred it when Robert wasn?t there, and the baby was good company. But that wasn?t the only problem the young girl faced. And that was where the problems began.
She Had To Give Up Everything
Chloe had to give everything up to take care of the baby. She couldn?t attend school. She had missed her final exams. She had to give up her part-time job. And she hadn?t seen her friends in weeks.
Those were the things that bothered her the most. How could she leave if she couldn?t even finish the school year?
Couldn?t Do It
After a month of taking care of the baby, Chloe realized that she couldn?t do it anymore. She had plans of her own. She needed to get money and experience so she could leave when she came of age.
But at that point in time, she couldn?t do any of that. And she was nowhere near ready to be a mother.
She Had Her Own Life
Chloe might?ve been young, but she still had a life of her own. She had dreams and aspirations of a bright future away from all this.
She had friends who wanted to help her achieve her goals. And she was well on her way to achieving them. But she couldn?t do that with a baby.
Asking Questions
So the next time Robert came around, she started asking more questions. And this time, she wasn?t backing down.
She wanted to know what she was giving her life up for. And she wanted to determine whether or not it was worth it. That was when Robert said something that would change everything she thought she knew.
Getting Suspicious
?I?ll get the ransom soon enough,? Robert mumbled before passing out. The hair on the back of Chloe?s neck stood up. What ransom was he talking about?
Chloe knew he was drunk, and he often spoke nonsense when he was. But his statement still raised her suspicions, and she decided to investigate the matter further.
Following Him Around
Chloe started following Robert around, thinking that she might uncover the truth that way. But sneaking around wasn?t as easy with a baby strapped to her chest.
People often stopped her to make comments, and because of that, she would lose track of Robert. But one night, she had him in her sights, and she felt that this would be the day she got her answers.
Couldn?t Find Anything
He went into a sleazy building, and Chloe followed. But she soon realized that it was the underbelly of the city. This was no place for a fourteen-year-old with a baby.
However, Chloe stuck to her decision and waited it out. Unfortunately, she just wasted her night because there was no sign of Robert doing anything but drinking.
What Was He Hiding?
In the early hours of the morning, Chloe stumbled home. She felt defeated and lost, thinking that she was on a wild goose chase with no end in sight. But that was where she was wrong.
Things were about to take a drastic turn, and she would find the truth. But what was it that Robert was hiding? And what would the consequences of his actions be?
A Check-Up
When Chloe woke up later that day, she heard the baby screaming. She rushed to her bedside and saw that the child?s face was bright red.
When she tried to pick the baby up, she also felt that the child had a fever. She knew it must?ve been brought on by the cold. But she also knew that fever could be deadly to a child that age. So she did the only thing she could. She called Robert.
Not Easy
Convincing him to take the child to the doctor was no easy feat. He was convinced that the illness would blow over without medical attention.
But Chloe wasn?t so sure. The two of them got into a heated argument, with Chloe acting like a ferocious bear that was trying to protect her cub. But then she thought of something that was sure to change his mind.
He Finally Gave In
?If this child dies, you won?t be getting any ransom!? Chloe snapped. The blood drained from Robert?s face as she said the words. But they instantly calmed him down.
?Fine!? he scoffed. ?We?ll take the thing to a doctor.? Chloe felt a sense of relief wash over her. But she had no idea what this trip would ultimately end up costing her.
On The Way
It was only when they were on the road that Chloe realized her mistake. The doctor will want information. Information that she didn?t have.
?What name do we give the doctor?? she asked, feeling ashamed. ?Just tell them her name is Shauna Steward. Tell them it's your kid,? Robert mumbled, not knowing that he had just piqued Chloe?s interest.
Stopping For Gas
They were about halfway through their journey across the state when Robert decided to stop for gas. And that was when everything changed.
The one place Chloe never had access to was his car. And she was sure that she would find the answers she was looking for in it. Was she right? And what would she find?
He Went To The Store
While filling up the car, Robert decided to get something to eat. This was Chloe?s chance. She could search the car while he was away.
She started in the cabby holder and swiftly made her way to the trunk. That was where she hit the jackpot. It was the place Robert used to store all his secrets.
She Saw Something
The moment Chloe opened the trunk, she saw something. Files upon files of information were stored back there. And the name Shauna popped up once more. But this time, it was accompanied by a surname.
?Shauna Lancaster,? Chloe mumbled to herself. That was the baby?s real name. And Chloe had the evidence to prove it.
Keeping Shut
Before getting back into the passenger seat, Chloe checked up on the baby. Or at least that was what it looked like. But she had an ulterior motive for doing what she did.
Robert got back in, and they hit the road once more. But Chloe didn?t say anything. There was no point in talking to the man. She?d have to find another way to expose him.
Coming Back
The visit to the doctor was a success. They got the medication they needed to treat the baby and made their way back home.
Chloe spent the trip examining her options. She was completely unaware of the fact that an opportunity was waiting for her around the next bend. Would she take it? Or just let it slip?
Pulled Over
Robert had already started drinking, and he was speeding down the road. But this time, he wouldn?t get away with it. He got flagged down by a police officer and had no choice but to stop.
Chloe felt her heart beating against the walls of her chest as the officer approached. This was the best thing she could?ve asked for.
Her Only Chance
?License and registration, please,? the officer said when he got to the car. But Chloe wasn?t going to miss her window of opportunity. ?I think you should check the trunk, officer,? she said before glancing at Robert.
Robert was pale as a sheet, and the officer was confused. But he did follow her advice. ?Please pop the trunk, sir.?