Caroline looked toward Lili. “I think she just wants to find out the truth. I think that’s all any of us wants.”
“The truth is that Lili is not your daughter,” Beth said firmly. “I know that’s not what you want to hear. I know that’s not what you want to believe. I know you’d give anything if she were yours. And I know I’d feel exactly the same way if our situations were reversed. But I’m telling you—Lili is not Samantha.” She forced Lili’s face to hers, her fingers resting on Lili’s chin, the chin that was situated in the middle of Hunter’s jaw. “You are my child, my flesh and blood. And I’m sorry if you think I’ve failed you in some way…”
“You haven’t failed me.” Tears began streaming down Lili’s cheeks.
“Then why are you doing this? Why are you punishing me?”
“I’m not trying to punish you.”
“Do you have any idea how insulting this is? That my own daughter questions my word? That she’s all but called me a liar?”
“I’m not calling you a liar.”
“Then stop this insanity right now and come home with me.”
“Mrs. Hollister—,” Hunter began.
“Come back to Calgary,” Beth repeated, ignoring him. “Forget all this foolishness. These people are not your family. This man is not your father. This woman is not your mother. I’m your mother and I love you. You have to believe me. You are my child and I’ve loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you.”
“I love you, too.”
Caroline felt an invisible hand reach into her chest and tear at her heart. The pain was so strong she almost cried out.
“Then get your things and let’s get out of here. Please. Your brothers are very anxious. First their father dies, and then you take off without a word. They think they did something wrong. They miss you.”
“I miss them, too.”
“I know this past year has been hard for you. It’s been hard on all of us since your father died. And maybe I haven’t handled things very well. I know I’ve been impatient and angry a lot of the time, that I haven’t given you the attention you need, the attention you deserve. I also understand that you’re a big girl now, that you want more freedom, and I’ll give you that freedom. I promise…”
“Mrs. Hollister…”
Beth swiveled toward Caroline and Hunter. “We’ve inconvenienced you quite enough already. I really can’t thank you enough for your patience and hospitality. But things have gotten way out of hand. They’ve gone too far and lasted too long. And I have to insist that Lili and I leave here immediately.” She rose to her feet, pulling Lili up with her.
Caroline was on her feet as well. “Beth, please. I know this whole episode is as unsettling, as surreal, for you as it’s been for us. I understand your indignation, your outrage, your desire to return home as quickly as possible. But we’re only talking about a few more days. Once we get the DNA results back from the lab, we’ll know for sure…”
“I already know for sure.”
“I don’t,” Lili said, wiggling out of Beth’s grasp.
“Lili, for God’s sake.”
“I’m sorry,” she cried. “I just can’t go home with you. Not yet.”
Caroline heard footsteps approaching and turned to see Michelle standing in the doorway, holding a tray with two mugs of steaming tea and a plate of shortbread cookies. She deposited them on the coffee table as everyone slowly sank into their former positions.
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
Michelle squeezed into the chair beside her mother, then turned toward Beth. “Why are you really here?”
“Excuse me?”
“What do you want?” she asked. “What are you after?”
“Michelle, what are you doing?” Caroline asked.
“I don’t understand,” Beth said. “I think I’ve been very clear about what I want and why I’m here. I want this nonsense to end. I’m here to take my daughter home.”
“You don’t want money?”
“Money? No.”
“You’re not hoping to get some sort of book or movie deal out of this?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“You’re not interested in publicity, in having your fifteen minutes of fame?”
“Of course not.”
“How about five minutes? You don’t even want your name in the papers?”
“That’s the last thing I want.”
“Why? Do you have something to hide?”
“What?”
Caroline glanced toward Hunter, shocked to see a sly grin creeping into the corners of his mouth.
Michelle stood up and began pacing back and forth in front of the sofa. “Look, I was very skeptical when Lili first contacted my mother. I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop, the con to be revealed…”