Reborn: I Sent My Daughter Away First

My husbands childhood friend, Poppy, has always been the innocent, whimsical type.

Despite being nearly thirty, she insists shes just an eight-year-old at heart.

She eats from a special baby bowl and drinks from a sippy cup.

She even sleeps in a cradle.

My husband, Arthur, and his mother enable her completely. They even had a nursery built for her in our home.

Then one day, while I was busy cooking in the kitchen, Poppy picked up my one-month-old daughter and threw her onto the hard tile floor.

Her tiny skull was fractured, and she died right in front of me, her blood pooling on the white floor.

I grabbed a knife and went for Poppy, determined to make her pay for my daughters life.

But Arthur and his mother stood in my way.

She was just a girl. If she died, she died. Now you can have a second child, a boy this time.

Poppy is still just a child. Why are you making such a scene?

Why was I making a scene?

Because my daughter was dead. My life was over.

That night, I broke into Poppys room with the knife, but Arthur stopped me. He beat me until I stopped breathing.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in that same morning.

Without a seconds hesitation, I called my parents and had them take my daughter to their house.

But this time, a child still died.

My parents car had just pulled away when Poppys shrill voice echoed from upstairs.

This is my baby cradle! What gives you the right to sleep in it!

The words were identical to the ones shed screamed in my previous life. A chill shot down my spine, and I whipped my head around to look up at the second-floor landing.

Poppy was standing there, holding an infant in her arms. When she saw me looking, a provocative smirk curled her lips.

The next second, she hurled the baby to the floor below.

A sickening thud, followed by a short, piercing shriek.

Then, silence.

A pool of crimson spread instantly from beneath the tiny body, staining the pristine tiles. The image of my own daughter lying in her own blood overlapped with the horror before me.

I looked up, my eyes meeting Poppys. She stood just a few feet away, showing no fear. Instead, she shot me a triumphant smirk before darting back into her nursery and slamming the door.

Arthur and his mother rushed out of the study, their faces draining of all color at the sight.

Arthur stumbled forward to look, then collapsed to the floor. No not breathing

His mother took two staggering steps back, her hand clamped over her mouth.

I fought down the murderous rage boiling in my chest and walked to Poppys door. I hammered on it with my fists.

Poppy, open this door! Get out here right now!

Her petulant voice came from inside. Baby is sleepy now! Go away! Dont bother Baby!

You murdered someone, and you think you can just hide?

My body trembled with fury. I kicked the door, the wood groaning under the force, the whole frame shaking.

What are you doing?!

Arthur scrambled over and grabbed me. Julia, Poppy is just a child! Dont take it out on her She didnt mean to do it!

Didnt mean to?

I violently threw his hands off me and glared at him, my eyes blazing.

It was just like before. Poppy killed our child, and they turned on me, telling me not to blame her. But that was our daughter, a living, breathing human being!

As expected, his mother repeated the same chilling words from my past life.

Thats right. Whats done is done. It was only a girl, anyway. If youre that upset, you and Arthur can just have another one. Maybe youll have a son next time.

A son.

A cold laugh escaped my lips, my heart turning to ice. Before we were married, Arthur and I had agreedone child, boy or girl, that was all we wanted.

But now

Thank God. Thank God I woke up this morning and sent my daughter away from this house of horrors without a second thought.

But as I stared at the coagulating blood on the floor, a terrifying thought slammed into me.

If my daughter is safe, then whose child did Poppy just kill?

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The thought sent me into a frenzy. I kicked the door with brutal, frantic force. The wood splintered and creaked, threatening to shatter.

Poppy! Get your ass out here! My voice was a raw, terrifying rasp. You murderer! Stop hiding in there!

Julia, stop it!

Arthur wrapped his arms around my waist, his grip like iron. I couldnt break free. Shes just a child! What if you scare her?

His mother rushed over. Hes right, Julia! Why are you fighting with a child? Poppy has never been treated harshly in her life. Youre going to terrify her!

A child?

I stopped struggling and turned to stare at them, my eyes filled with venom. What kind of child is almost thirty years old?

I pointed a shaking finger at the closed door. Shes not a child, shes a murderer! She just killed a baby, snuffed out a life! And youre standing here defending her?

Now, thats not fair, his mother said, her tone hardening. Poppy is just innocent. How would she know anything about killing? It must have been an accident. You cant blame her.

An accident? I sneered, the fire in my chest burning hotter. Intentionally throwing a baby onto the floor is an accident? Are you both insane?

Just then, the door creaked open. Poppy peeked out, her eyes red and her lip trembling as she looked at Arthur and his mother.

Artie Auntie she whimpered, her voice soft and pitifula complete one-eighty from the monster who had just committed murder. Shes a mean lady She was so loud, she scared Baby Baby is so scared

The sight of her broke Arthurs heart. He instantly let me go and rushed to her side, shielding her with his body. He turned back to me, his eyes filled with fury. Look what you did! You scared her! Shes always been timid, and you come at her like that!

His mother hurried over, stroking Poppys back. Its okay, Poppy, dont be scared. Aunties here. No one can hurt you. And you, Julia, she said, turning to me, a grown woman acting like this with a child. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Watching them coddle this killer, the rage Id been suppressing finally exploded.

Crack!

I slapped Poppy hard across the face.

Her crying stopped abruptly. She stared at me, her hand flying to her cheek, completely shocked that I would dare to touch her.

How dare you hit Poppy? Arthur roared, shoving me to the ground as he rushed to inspect her face.

I stumbled back, my eyes locked on Poppy. Ill ask you one more time, I said, my voice dangerously low. Whose baby is that on the floor? Where did you get it?

Poppy, still stunned from the slap, burst into a wail. Its its your daughter

My daughter?

My body went rigid, but then a cold calm washed over me. I had watched my parents drive away with my daughter this morning. The child on the floor could not possibly be my Rosie.

It is your daughter! Poppy stomped her foot, her face a mask of petulant fury. Its all her fault for taking my cradle! Im the only baby in this house! That cradle is mine, and only I get to sleep in it!

So that was it.

My rage hit its peak. What baby? This was a twisted, sick adult who, over a piece of furniture, had committed an atrocity against an innocent child. If I hadnt had a second chance, that would have been my own daughter lying dead on the floor.

Poppy just really loves that cradle, his mother was saying, still making excuses. Children are possessive of their things. Besides, she didnt know it would cause such a big problem.

Arthur nodded in agreement, his tone pleading. Julia, whats done is done. Just let it go. Poppy didnt mean it; she just got confused. We need to handle this quietly. If anyone finds out, Poppys reputation will be ruined.

Her reputation? I was shaking with fury, the irony of it all burning like acid. Shes a murderer. What reputation does she have left to protect? Is her reputation more important than a human life?

I couldnt hold back any longer. I lunged forward, grabbed a handful of Poppys hair, and slammed her head against the wall.

Thud!

The dull impact echoed through the hall. Poppy shrieked in pain.

What baby? Youre a grown woman, do you understand? I screamed, my eyes red, my grip tightening. Youre thirty years old! You kill someone, you pay the price! Dont you get it?!

Let go of her!

Arthur charged at me, grabbing the back of my collar and flinging me across the room. I landed hard on the cold tile, a searing pain shooting up from my tailbone as my vision swam with black spots.

Poppy is a baby! Are you insane?! he yelled, pointing at me with disgust and rage, as if I were the monster.

I pushed myself up, looking at his contorted face, and felt like I was staring at a complete stranger.

What baby? I coughed, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of my mouth. My voice was thick with mockery and despair. Shes a psychopath! And you two are the ones who made her this way!

Struggling, I pulled out my phone and dialed 911. I was calling the police. I was going to have this lunatic locked up.

But Arthur lunged, snatched the phone from my hand, and smashed it on the floor. The screen shattered, sending pieces flying.

What are you doing, calling the police? he hissed, his eyes filled with menace. Youll ruin her! Julia, cant you just be reasonable for once? For the sake of this family, for Poppy, cant we just let this go?

I clutched my chest, staring at the man who bore no resemblance to the one I married, and a hopeless laugh bubbled up from my throat.

In that moment, I finally saw my husband for who he truly was.

Without another word, I got to my feet and started walking downstairs.

I remembered. I knew whose child it was.

I had just reached the first floor when Arthur grabbed my arm. Julia, its settled then. Were moving past this.

I froze, turning to look at him. He avoided my gaze, his Adams apple bobbing. If youre really that upset about the girl, he added, I promise, well get you pregnant again as soon as possible. Well just have another one.

Another one. He spoke of a childs life so casually, as if it were a misplaced object.

My face was a blank mask as I shoved him away. I needed to see the baby, to confirm my suspicion.

But my pupils contracted in horror.

The spot on the floor where the baby had been was empty.

The child was gone.

I scrambled over, my hands searching the cold tile. A faint, lingering scent of blood was the only proof that it hadnt been a hallucination.

I shot to my feet and grabbed Arthur by the collar. Where is the baby? What did you do with the baby?!

His eyes darted away, unable to meet mine. What baby? Dont talk nonsense

Nonsense? I almost laughed, but tears were already streaming down my face. What did you do with the child?!

Just then, the piercing wail of a police siren sliced through the silence. Two uniformed officers appeared at the door, silhouetted against the bright light.

Who called the police?

Arthurs face went white. He reacted instantly, clamping his hand over my mouth and forcing a stiff smile. Officers, its a misunderstanding! All a misunderstanding! My wife made a mistake, no one called.

His mother came rushing down the stairs. Shes crazy! she yelled, pointing at me. They had a little fight, and she blows it all out of proportion and calls the police. Were so sorry to have wasted your time.

The officers eyes moved between us, their expressions skeptical. But with no body and no other signs of a crime, they treated it as a domestic dispute. After taking a statement, they left.

Only when the siren had faded into the distance did Arthur release me. He was breathing heavily, his eyes full of resentment. Julia, dont you think Im upset the child is dead? But you had to make a scene and drag everyone into it. How is Poppy supposed to live her life now?

I looked at the hideous man before me, my voice terrifyingly calm and laced with ice. Is any of that more important than a human life?

I pushed him away and began to tear the villa apart. Under the sofa, behind the curtains, in the corners of the storage room I searched everywhere, but there was no trace of the baby. It was as if the child had vanished into thin air.

I stumbled out into the yard, my eyes scanning the flowerbeds, the walls.

Finally, my gaze fell upon the rusty dog kennel in the corner of the yard.

Inside lived two large mastiffs, which were occasionally fed raw meat.

My heart began to pound. A terrible premonition seized me. I started walking toward the kennel.

What are you doing?! his mother shrieked, rushing to block my path and grabbing my arm. Julia, theres nothing to see over there! Youll get bitten!

The more frantic she was, the more certain I became. I coldly shook her off and continued toward the kennel.

Before I even got close, a thick, coppery smell hit me, mingling with the stench of rust from the cage. It was nauseating. With a trembling hand, I unlatched the kennel door.

In the dim light, a small, tattered piece of clothing lay in the corner. Its edges were soaked through with dark, dried blood.

They had fed the child to the dogs.

My body was wracked with violent tremors. A raw, guttural scream tore from my throat. Are you insane?!

But his mother just looked proud, as if her decision had been a stroke of genius. The baby was already dead. It was just a piece of meat at that point. This way, we didnt have to dig a grave.

Poppy peeked out from behind her. You evil woman! Its your fault for having a brat that tried to steal my cradle! It deserved to be dog food!

Arthur just frowned at her words, then turned to me with a placating tone. Come on, lets just put this behind us. Ill transfer the title of the penthouse to you. Dont be angry. It was just a baby. Well have another one. Im sure well have a son next time.

The sheer monstrosity of this family made me weak. Black spots danced in my vision, and a crushing pain in my chest made it hard to breathe.

I had only one thought left. I needed to know if this child was who I thought it was.

Bring the baby out, I said, using every last bit of my strength. We we have to bury him.

Arthur frowned, looking with disgust at the tattered clothes in the kennel, clearly not wanting to touch them.

I almost laughed. Arthur, that is your nephew!

He took a deep breath, as if making a great sacrifice, and stepped forward. But his mother blocked him, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. Arthur, shes tricking you! The second you bring that body out, shell call the police and theyll take Poppy away! Poppys life will be ruined!

As she spoke, Poppy started tugging on Arthurs sleeve, whining and crying. Artie, dont listen to her! Shes trying to hurt me! Its good that baby is dead! He tried to take my things! If you bring him out, Ill never speak to you again!

Arthur wavered, then took a step back. Julia, the child is already gone. Lets not disturb him. Let him rest in peace.

I closed my eyes, suppressing the tidal wave of hatred inside me. Youre going to regret this.

With that, I turned and walked toward the gate.

His mother panicked and lunged, grabbing my wrist. Where do you think youre going? Im telling you, as long as Im here, you are not calling the police!

She tied my hands together with a piece of rope. I struggled, but it only tightened, drawing blood. I looked at my husband, begging. Arthur, that was a life. How can you be so heartless?

He looked away, his voice cold. Just behave yourself, Julia. Stop making trouble.

Seeing me helpless, Poppy rushed forward and slapped me hard across the face. You think youre so tough? she sneered. You hit me before! Try hitting me now! Hah!

I gritted my teeth, shaking with rage and humiliation, but my hands were bound.

You psychopath! I screamed.

This only encouraged her. She kicked me hard in the back. A sharp pain exploded, and I doubled over, drenched in a cold sweat. Even then, a small part of me hoped Arthur would show a shred of decency and stop this.

But he was too busy comforting Poppy. A baby like Poppy cant kick that hard, he said dismissively. It doesnt hurt. You scared her earlier. Just let her blow off some steam.

With Arthurs blessing, Poppy became bolder. She kicked me in the side. Your daughter deserved to die for trying to steal from me! And you should die too!

I curled into a ball on the ground, the pain overwhelming as my consciousness began to fade.

Suddenly, the front gate was kicked open with a tremendous bang.

My parents stood there, holding my daughter. Behind them were several police officers. Their faces were grim as my fathers voice boomed across the yard.

What in Gods name are you doing?!