The Unwanted

Chapter Twenty-Three

Word Count: 1362

Scarlett's POV

Listening to Everett sob over the phone broke my heart. She couldn't make out her words for her longest of time and when she could it was like I was being stabbed through the heart.

I just wanted to hold her and never let her go. My poor baby shouldn't ever have to go through that. Then she said something that spiked my interest which was that someone had adopted her. It confused her because she had been in foster care for so long and wasn't ever adopted.

She really doesn't know that the people she calls mom and dad aren't her biological parents. As soon as I got off the phone with Everett, I called Lizzie and told her I was going to New York and I needed someone to watch Rose. Lizzie volunteered immediately which I am so grateful for. I wouldn't taken Rose with me but I didn't want to overcomplicate things.

I called my lawyer next and asked them about reversing my parental rights. They said it was nearly impossible given the circumstances and that I'd go through the adoption process instead. I asked my manager to book me a flight and she said no. I nearly started cursing her out on the phone when she reminded me that I was going to New York this weekend because I wrap on Thursday. So Friday is for packing and cleaning the apartment before I leave. 

So now I'm sulking in my bedroom after calling Lizzie to tell her I actually won't need her help because I only have a few days of work left. I guess I have to wait it out. I get ready for bed resisting the urge to call Everett again. I just want to know that she's okay but I can't do anything to really help her without calling Ryan. Maybe he will know what to do?

I impulsively press call before checking the time. It's eleven at night. I'm surprised he picks up, but he knows me or at least he used to. I don't call unless it's necessary. That was part of our parting deal.

"Scarlett?"

"Ryan, it's bad, sorry if I woke you," I croak out.

"What's bad?" he sighs into the phone.

"Everett's getting adopted," I whisper not really excited at all.

"Well, isn't that what every foster kid wants?" Ryan asks as I hear some quiet humming in the background.

"Do you remember when you had to pick her up from the airport?"

"Yeah, Lizzie flew in with her," he confirms slowly, trying to connect the dots.

"Yea, that's right. The family that wants to adopt her is the same family that you dropped her off with that night," I explain to him.

"No fucking way, what the fuck," he curses in shock.

"Yeah, they're terrible. Today they had a house visit, so they redecorated her room and coached her to be the perfect kid for the social worker. As soon as the door shut, they left her home with leftover charcuterie board crackers and cheese before going out for a fancy dinner. A complete 180!" I rant over the phone.

"Well, can't she say something and get their license to foster removed?"

"I don't know. I know the night that they sprung it on her was the same day they abandoned her in Atlanta. She was crying over the phone, telling me that she didn't want them to adopt her. I doubt that's changed. She mentioned that her monthly stipend increases because they would be carrying more of the burden of raising a child like health care and such."

"That's such bullshit!" Ryan shouts.

"I know and all I wanted to do tonight was be there for her but I'm hundreds of miles away."