That was almost impossible to accept. Lily had endured fear, secrecy, and surgery for an experiment with no realistic chance of helping anyone.

The other missing child was reunited with her family. I keep a photograph of that reunion in a drawer.

Lily came to live with us.

The legal process took eleven months, but eventually I adopted her. Emma wore a dress she picked out herself to the hearing and cried through almost the entire ceremony.

Recovery was slow.

Lily stayed frightened of doctors. Before every appointment she needed each step explained. She needed to hear that she could say stop, and that everyone would listen.