Chapter 1: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
The first thing my father did after discovering that my husband had forged my signature was ask the police to keep everyone in the hospital room.
The second thing he did was look at me and say, "Serena, whatever happens next, I need you to understand something. You are not losing your daughter.""
I didn't understand why he said that.
Not until I saw the next page.
My name was printed across the top of the document. Beneath it was a statement declaring that I had voluntarily agreed to undergo a psychiatric assessment because of suspected emotional instability during pregnancy.
At the bottom was a signature.
Mine.
Almost.
The letters were familiar. The loops were in the right places. Even the little mark I made beneath the final letter of my surname had been copied.
But I had never signed that document.
"Daddy, what is this?""
Arthur Mitchell pulled a chair beside my hospital bed.
"An application for an emergency assessment that could have affected your ability to make medical decisions for yourself and your baby.""
My mouth went dry.
"Who submitted it?""
He looked toward Adrian.
My husband was standing beside the window, his navy suit immaculate, his expensive watch catching the fluorescent light.
He looked at the document.
Then he looked at his mother.
Neither spoke.
My father placed another sheet on the blanket.
"This was submitted three days ago. It contains statements claiming you've become aggressive, irrational, and potentially dangerous to your unborn child.""
I stared at him.
"That's not true.""
"I know.""
"I've never threatened anyone. I've never hurt anyone. I haven't even raised my voice at them.""
"I know, sweetheart.""
Diane Walker suddenly laughed.
It was a sharp, uncomfortable sound.
"Oh, for heaven's sake. Arthur, you're making this sound like some criminal conspiracy. We were concerned about her.""
My father turned his head.
"Then why did you forge her signature?""
Diane's smile disappeared.
"I didn't.""
"Then perhaps your son can explain it.""
Adrian straightened his jacket.
"Serena has been having a difficult pregnancy. We thought she needed additional support.""
I looked at him.
"Additional support?""
He nodded as though he were discussing an ordinary household disagreement.
"Your blood pressure has been high. You've been confused. You've been accusing everyone of trying to control you.""
"I asked why my medical appointments were being canceled!""
"Because you kept missing them.""
"I never missed a single appointment!""
My voice cracked.
The baby shifted beneath my ribs.
I pressed my palm against my stomach and tried to breathe.
My father noticed immediately.
"That's enough," he said.
Adrian frowned.
"Arthur, this is between my wife and me.""
"No. It stopped being a private disagreement when your mother struck my pregnant daughter.""
Diane folded her arms.
"She provoked me.""
One of the officers stepped forward.
"Ma'am, I would strongly advise you not to make further statements until we've taken everyone's account.""
Diane stared at him.
"Do you know who I am?""
The officer didn't blink.
"Yes, ma'am. You're the person being questioned about an alleged assault.""
For the first time, Diane had nothing to say.
A nurse entered with a blood-pressure monitor.
"Mrs. Walker, Dr. Patel would like to examine you immediately.""
My father stepped aside.
"Of course.""
The nurse glanced at my cheek.
"Oh, sweetheart. What happened?""
I swallowed.
"Adrian's mother slapped me.""
The nurse stopped moving.
Her eyes shifted toward Diane.
Then she quietly closed the door.
"I'll make sure the doctor knows.""
Adrian moved toward the bed.
"Serena, don't turn this into something bigger than it is.""
My father placed one hand against his chest, stopping him.
"Don't come any closer.""
"She's my wife.""
"And she's my daughter.""
Adrian looked at me.
For one brief moment, I saw the familiar expression he used whenever he wanted me to feel guilty.
The lowered eyebrows.
The disappointed mouth.
The silent suggestion that I was ruining everything.
"Serena," he said softly, "we can settle this at home.""
I stared at him.
"At home?""
"Yes. Without police officers and your father interfering.""
I almost laughed.
"Your mother hit me in front of you.""
He exhaled.
"She was upset.""
"And you?""
"I was trying to calm things down.""
"You told me I was causing problems.""
He looked away.
My father shook his head.
"Officer, please document that statement.""
Adrian's face hardened.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?""
My father didn't answer.
Instead, he picked up the forged medical form.
"There's another problem.""
He unfolded a second document.
This one carried the logo of a private family-law firm.
I recognized the firm's name.
Walker, Bennett and Associates.
It was the firm that handled several of the Walker family's properties.
My stomach tightened.
"What does that have to do with me?""
Dad hesitated.
"Your husband contacted an attorney about obtaining temporary guardianship arrangements for your daughter after birth.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
Adrian immediately interrupted.
"That's not what it says.""
My father turned the document around.
"Then read it aloud.""
Adrian said nothing.
I looked down.
The document described me as emotionally unstable and financially dependent.
It recommended that the baby's primary residence be established at the Walker family home.
Diane's home.
I felt the room tilt.
"They were going to take my baby?""
"No," Dad said firmly.
"This is an application and supporting correspondence. It hasn't been approved. But they were attempting to establish a legal position before your daughter was born.""
I looked at Adrian.
"How could you?""
He rubbed his forehead.
"You're misunderstanding everything.""
"Then explain it.""
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Then Diane stepped forward.
"Because someone has to think about the child's future!""
I turned toward her.
"You mean your future.""
Her eyes flashed.
"Don't be ridiculous.""
"You want my daughter living with you?""
"I have the resources to provide her with everything she needs.""
"So do I!""
"You're a receptionist at a dental office, Serena. My son has responsibilities. He cannot spend his life dealing with your emotional outbursts.""
I looked at Adrian.
He didn't defend me.
Not even then.
My father slowly placed the documents inside the envelope.
"Officer, I want copies of every statement and a record of the alleged assault. I also want the hospital's security footage preserved.""
"Certainly, sir.""
Adrian's voice rose.
"You can't just take those documents!""
My father looked at him.
"They're copies. The originals are already with the appropriate authorities.""
Diane's face turned pale.
"Arthur, you have no idea who you're challenging.""
My father gave her a tired smile.
"That's where you're mistaken, Diane.""
He returned to my bedside.
"How is your blood pressure?""
"I don't know.""
"We'll let the doctor handle that.""
He took my hand.
Then he said something that made Adrian look up sharply.
"By the way, I found out who paid for the legal application.""
Adrian's expression changed.
My father continued.
"It wasn't your personal account.""
Silence.
"It was paid using money transferred from the Walker family trust.""
Diane took a step backward.
"That is confidential.""
My father ignored her.
He looked directly at Adrian.
"Your wife was never supposed to know about that account, was she?""
Adrian's jaw tightened.
I stared at my husband.
"What account?""
Before he could answer, the doctor entered.
Dr. Patel was a woman in her forties with kind eyes and a serious expression. She introduced herself to the officers, examined my cheek, and immediately ordered fetal monitoring.
As a nurse helped me onto the bed, Dr. Patel looked at the documents.
"Who submitted these?""
My father answered.
"We're investigating that.""
She frowned.
"Mrs. Walker, I need to ask you something. Have you authorized anyone to make medical decisions on your behalf?""
"No.""
"Have you signed any documents giving your husband or mother-in-law permission to change your appointments, medications, or treatment?""
"No.""
Dr. Patel looked toward Adrian.
"Then we need to review your file.""
Adrian shifted uncomfortably.
"Doctor, this is a misunderstanding.""
She didn't look impressed.
"Mr. Walker, I am speaking with your wife.""
A nurse attached the fetal monitor.
The rhythmic heartbeat filled the room.
Fast.
Steady.
Alive.
I closed my eyes.
For the first time that afternoon, I cried.
My father kissed my forehead.
"She's okay, sweetheart.""
I nodded.
Then the doctor looked at the monitor again.
Her expression changed.
"Mrs. Walker, I'm going to keep you here for further observation. Your blood pressure is higher than I'd like.""
My father nodded.
"Whatever she needs.""
Dr. Patel turned to the nurse.
"Also, I want someone from hospital administration to review every appointment entry and authorization associated with this patient.""
The nurse left.
A few minutes later, the officers escorted Diane and Adrian toward the door while they continued their investigation.
Diane stopped beside my bed.
"You're making a terrible mistake, Serena.""
I looked at her.
"No. I made one six years ago.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Excuse me?""
"Thinking your son would protect me.""
Adrian's face twisted.
"Serena, don't.""
But I had nothing left to say.
The door closed behind them.
My father sat beside me until the room became quiet.
Then his phone vibrated.
He checked the screen.
His expression hardened.
"What is it?"" I asked.
He hesitated.
"Someone from the bank just sent me the transaction records.""
"What transaction records?""
He looked at me.
"Serena, the money used to fund that legal application came from an account connected to your name.""
My heart stopped.
"That's impossible.""
He turned the screen toward me.
There it was.
My full name.
My date of birth.
An account number I didn't recognize.
And beneath it, a transfer of $275,000.
I stared at the number.
Then I whispered, "Daddy, I don't have that kind of money.""
He looked toward the closed door.
"I know.""
And then he showed me the name of the person who had opened the account.
May you like
It wasn't Adrian.
It was Diane Walker.
