Higgins leaned forward in the floral armchair.

He propped his elbows heavily on his knees and gripped his black Bible in both hands.

“All we wanted was to protect the church’s legacy,” Higgins said.

“Your mother was a founding pillar of our community.

She honestly believed she was saving you from complete ruin.”

“She gave my baby to strangers,” I said.

“The Rountrees were wonderful, faithful, upstanding people,” Higgins said.

“They couldn’t have children of their own, no matter how many years they tried.