I appreciated that he did not make excuses.
“I was terrified,” I told him.
“I know.”
“And for a few minutes, I thought you intended to hurt me.”
The pain in his eyes deepened.
“I’m sorry, Emily. I am truly sorry.”
I took a long breath.
“I can’t promise that I’ll understand everything tonight. I need time.”
“Of course.”
“But I want to know the truth.”
Richard nodded.
“Then you shall have it. All of it.”
He handed me the folder.
Inside were photographs, old newspaper clippings, hospital documents, police reports, and copies of adoption records.
One document contained the name of the couple who had found me.
Another contained the date I had been admitted to a hospital after the accident.
My hands shook as I read.
According to the records, a couple traveling along the rural road had heard a child crying in the darkness. They found me several yards from the damaged vehicle, frightened, injured, and unable to give a complete account of what had happened.
