Chapter 1 11:48 1 I was softly reading a bedtime story to Mr. Hayes's autistic daughter when his long - lost love burst through the door . Her eyes darted between the two of us , and then she strode forward . Just as I thought she was going to embrace her child , she swung her hand and slapped me hard across the face . * You shameless bitch , " she hissed . " I'm gone for a few years , and you slide right in , sleeping with my husband , stealing my daughter . " You think because you look a little like me , you can be my replacement ? Steal everything that's mine ? " I cupped my stinging cheek , utterly bewildered . A replacement ? Me ? Wasn't I just the occupational therapist Mr. Hayes had hired to care for his autistic daughter ? The sharp crack of the slap terrified little Pearl . On the verge of sleep , she let out a piercing wail . My professional instincts took over . I ignored the raving woman in front of me and immediately gathered Pearl into my arms , murmuring soothing words . Pearl had been diagnosed with autism at birth . She formed no attachments , showed no interest in anyone . The only time she seemed to find any comfort was in my arms . It was why her father , Mr. Hayes , paid me a generous salary to be her full - time therap- ist and caregiver . Under my gentle coaxing , Pearl's cries gradually subsided. But the woman , ignored and enraged , lunged forward , trying to rip Pearl from my arms . " I carried you for nine months ! You're my daughter ! How could you attach yourself to a cheap substitute ? I'm your mother ! " She was hysterical , almost feral . Autistic children are far more sensitive to emotional turmoil than others , and Pearl , who had just calmed down , began to spiral again . That's when my patience ran out . Even if this woman was Pearl's biological mother , Mr. Hayes's infamous " one that got away , " I couldn't tolerate this . I shielded Pearl from her grasp and pressed the emergency call button in the room . Within moments , the butler and Mr. Hayes himself rushed in . " Mr. Hayes , " I said , my voice firm and loud , " this woman is trying to harm Pearl . " Instinctively paternal , Elias Hayes rushed to his daughter's side , placing himself between us and the intruder . But when he saw the woman's face , his eyes instantly reddened . His voice was a raw , choked whisper . " Seraphina ... you're finally back . " His hands trembling , Elias took Pearl from me and held her out to the woman , Seraphina , wanting her to hold their child . But Seraphina didn't move . She turned her head away , her face a mask of wounded pride . " I don't have a daughter who would betr- ay me like this . " Then she rounded on him . " And you ! You told me you would love me and only me for the rest of your life ! " " I've only been gone for six years ... and you've already replaced me with another woman . One who looks just like me ! " Elias looked uncertainly from Seraphina to me , then back again . I couldn't see the resemblance , other than the fact that we both had two eyes , a nose , and a mouth .