Chapter 7: The Bracelet## Chapter 7: The Bracelet With My Name
The last With My Name
The last thing I saw before the operating-room doors closed was my thing I saw before the operating-room doors closed was my father's face.
He looked terrified.
Not because I was about to give father's face.
He looked terrified.
Not because I was about to give birth.
Because he had finally realized that whatever happened to my mother fifteen years earlier might have involved birth.
Because he had finally realized that whatever happened to my mother fifteen years earlier might have involved me.
"Arthur Mitchell?"" Dr. Patel called.
My father stepped forward.
"Yes.""
" me.
"Arthur Mitchell?"" Dr. Patel called.
My father stepped forward.
"Yes.""
"Your daughter needs you to remain calm. We'll do everything necessary to deliverYour daughter needs you to remain calm. We'll do everything necessary to deliver this baby safely.""
He nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on mine.
"Daddy," I whispered, "what does this baby safely.""
He nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on mine.
"Daddy," I whispered, "what does that bracelet mean?""
He approached the bed and gently touched my forehead.
"I don't know yet, sweetheart.""
"You're lying that bracelet mean?""
He approached the bed and gently touched my forehead.
"I don't know yet, sweetheart.""
"You're lying.""
His expression crumpled.
"I promise I'll tell you everything I know.""
The anesthesiologist introduced himself.
A.""
His expression crumpled.
"I promise I'll tell you everything I know.""
The anesthesiologist introduced himself.
A nurse checked my identification.
Another adjusted the fetal monitor.
The room moved around me in a blur of blue nurse checked my identification.
Another adjusted the fetal monitor.
The room moved around me in a blur of blue surgical gowns, bright lights, and quiet instructions.
Then Dr. Patel leaned closer.
"Serena, we're going to deliver your daughter surgical gowns, bright lights, and quiet instructions.
Then Dr. Patel leaned closer.
"Serena, we're going to deliver your daughter now. You're in good hands.""
I nodded.
I wanted my mother.
The thought came so suddenly that I now. You're in good hands.""
I nodded.
I wanted my mother.
The thought came so suddenly that I almost cried.
I wanted her to hold my hand.
I wanted her to tell me that everything would be okay.
Instead, I heard my father's voice through the doors.
almost cried.
I wanted her to hold my hand.
I wanted her to tell me that everything would be okay.
Instead, I heard my father's voice through the doors.
"Please look after my little girl.""
And then everything became distant.
When I opened my eyes, the"Please look after my little girl.""
And then everything became distant.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I heard was crying.
A tiny, furious cry.
I turned my head.
"Where is she?""
A first thing I heard was crying.
A tiny, furious cry.
I turned my head.
"Where is she?""
A nurse smiled.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Walker. You have a beautiful little girl.""
Tears immediately filled my eyes.
"Is she okay?""
"She's breathing independently. Because she nurse smiled.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Walker. You have a beautiful little girl.""
Tears immediately filled my eyes.
"Is she okay?""
"She's breathing independently. Because she was born early, the neonatal team is keeping her under observation.""
I tried to lift my head.
"Can I see her?""
"Of course.""
The was born early, the neonatal team is keeping her under observation.""
I tried to lift my head.
"Can I see her?""
"Of course.""
The nurse brought a small photograph closer.
My daughter was wrapped in a pale pink blanket.
Her cheeks were tiny.
Her nose was delicate nurse brought a small photograph closer.
My daughter was wrapped in a pale pink blanket.
Her cheeks were tiny.
Her nose was delicate.
And her little fist was curled beside her face.
I started crying harder.
"She's beautiful.""
"Would you like to choose her.
And her little fist was curled beside her face.
I started crying harder.
"She's beautiful.""
"Would you like to choose her name?""
I looked at the photograph.
For months, Adrian and I had discussed names.
He had wanted name?""
I looked at the photograph.
For months, Adrian and I had discussed names.
He had wanted something traditional.
I had wanted something meaningful.
Now I knew.
"Elizabeth," I whispered.
something traditional.
I had wanted something meaningful.
Now I knew.
"Elizabeth," I whispered.
The nurse smiled.
"That's lovely.""
"Elizabeth Eleanor Walker.""
I wanted my grandmother's name and my mother's name toThe nurse smiled.
"That's lovely.""
"Elizabeth Eleanor Walker.""
I wanted my grandmother's name and my mother's name to remain together.
Even if everyone else had tried to erase their stories.
My father appeared beside remain together.
Even if everyone else had tried to erase their stories.
My father appeared beside the bed.
His eyes were red.
He kissed my forehead.
"She's perfect, sweetheart.""
I reached for his the bed.
His eyes were red.
He kissed my forehead.
"She's perfect, sweetheart.""
I reached for his hand.
"Did you find out about the bracelet?""
His expression changed.
"Not yet.""
"Did you see her?""
He hand.
"Did you find out about the bracelet?""
His expression changed.
"Not yet.""
"Did you see her?""
He nodded.
"I saw Elizabeth. She's strong.""
I smiled weakly.
Then I asked the question that had been haunting me.
"Daddy, why was my nodded.
"I saw Elizabeth. She's strong.""
I smiled weakly.
Then I asked the question that had been haunting me.
"Daddy, why was my name on my mother's hospital bracelet?""
He pulled his chair closer.
"I spoke to Daniel.""
"And?""
He hesitated.
" name on my mother's hospital bracelet?""
He pulled his chair closer.
"I spoke to Daniel.""
"And?""
He hesitated.
"Your mother was admitted to St. Mary's the night before she died. She was receiving treatment for what the hospital described as a severeYour mother was admitted to St.
Mary's the night before she died. She was receiving treatment for what the hospital described as a severe reaction to medication.""
I frowned.
"Was I there?""
"You were seventeen. You had been visiting her earlier that evening reaction to medication.""
I frowned.
"Was I there?""
"You were seventeen. You had been visiting her earlier that evening.""
I remembered.
I remembered the smell of antiseptic.
The flowers beside her bed.
The way my mother had.""
I remembered.
I remembered the smell of antiseptic.
The flowers beside her bed.
The way my mother had held my hand and told me she was tired.
I remembered leaving because Dad had promised to pick me up.
But I held my hand and told me she was tired.
I remembered leaving because Dad had promised to pick me up.
But I didn't remember a bracelet.
My father continued.
"According to the original admission record, you were registered as an emergency contact. didn't remember a bracelet.
My father continued.
"According to the original admission record, you were registered as an emergency contact. The bracelet in the photograph may have belonged to a patient identification packet prepared for you.""
"Why would they prepare The bracelet in the photograph may have belonged to a patient identification packet prepared for you.""
"Why would they prepare one for me?""
"That's what we need to find out.""
He looked toward the door.
"Daniel believes your mother may have requested additional one for me?""
"That's what we need to find out.""
He looked toward the door.
"Daniel believes your mother may have requested additional protection for you that night.""
I swallowed.
"Protection from whom?""
Before he could answer, his phone rang.
He protection for you that night.""
I swallowed.
"Protection from whom?""
Before he could answer, his phone rang.
He checked the screen.
"Margaret.""
He answered.
"Tell me.""
I watched his expression change.
"What checked the screen.
"Margaret.""
He answered.
"Tell me.""
I watched his expression change.
"What do you mean the cabinet wasn't empty?""
He stood.
"Are you sure?""
A pause.
"Don't let do you mean the cabinet wasn't empty?""
He stood.
"Are you sure?""
A pause.
"Don't let anyone leave that office.""
He ended the call.
I stared at him.
"What happened?""
"Margaret has found a second compartment inside anyone leave that office.""
He ended the call.
I stared at him.
"What happened?""
"Margaret has found a second compartment inside the cabinet.""
My heart began racing.
"What was inside?""
"A small envelope.""
He looked at me.
" the cabinet.""
My heart began racing.
"What was inside?""
"A small envelope.""
He looked at me.
"Your grandmother's handwriting is on it.""
I reached for his hand.
"What's written on it?""
He showedYour grandmother's handwriting is on it.""
I reached for his hand.
"What's written on it?""
He showed me a photograph Margaret had sent.
The envelope was yellowed.
Across the front were six words.
*For Serena. me a photograph Margaret had sent.
The envelope was yellowed.
Across the front were six words.
For Serena. When she has a daughter.
I stared at the message.
My father sat down slowly.
"Your When she has a daughter.*
I stared at the message.
My father sat down slowly.
"Your grandmother knew this day might come.""
Two hours later, Daniel arrived at the hospital with the envelope.
He looked exhausted.
His grandmother knew this day might come.""
Two hours later, Daniel arrived at the hospital with the envelope.
He looked exhausted.
His shirt was wrinkled, and his eyes were swollen from lack of sleep.
He placed the envelope on my bedside table.
"I didn't open it," shirt was wrinkled, and his eyes were swollen from lack of sleep.
He placed the envelope on my bedside table.
"I didn't open it," he said.
My father frowned.
"Why not?""
"Because it has Serena's name on it.""
I reached for it.
he said.
My father frowned.
"Why not?""
"Because it has Serena's name on it.""
I reached for it.
The handwriting was unmistakably Grandma Eleanor's.
I carefully opened the envelope.
Inside was a foldedThe handwriting was unmistakably Grandma Eleanor's.
I carefully opened the envelope.
Inside was a folded letter and a small photograph.
The photograph showed my mother holding me as a newborn.
I looked so tiny.
My letter and a small photograph.
The photograph showed my mother holding me as a newborn.
I looked so tiny.
My mother was smiling.
On the back, she had written:
My greatest reason to fight.
I unfolded mother was smiling.
On the back, she had written:
My greatest reason to fight.
I unfolded the letter.
My dearest Serena,
*If you are reading this, it means I failed to protect you from the people who wanted to the letter.
My dearest Serena,
If you are reading this, it means I failed to protect you from the people who wanted to control our family.
I hope you are happy. I hope you have found someone who loves you without asking what control our family.
I hope you are happy. I hope you have found someone who loves you without asking what you can give them.
But if you are reading this because you have become a mother, there is something you must know.
I you can give them.*
But if you are reading this because you have become a mother, there is something you must know.
I stopped.
My father leaned closer.
I continued.
*Your mother discovered that Victoria had been using your identity before you were old stopped.
My father leaned closer.
I continued.
Your mother discovered that Victoria had been using your identity before you were old enough to understand what that meant. She found documents suggesting that someone had opened a financial account in your name.
My breath caught.
enough to understand what that meant. She found documents suggesting that someone had opened a financial account in your name.
My breath caught.
Elizabeth believed they were preparing to use you as a legal instrument in a financial dispute.
I lookedElizabeth believed they were preparing to use you as a legal instrument in a financial dispute.*
I looked at my father.
He whispered, "Keep reading.""
*She also discovered that your birth records at my father.
He whispered, "Keep reading.""
She also discovered that your birth records had been altered.
I froze.
"What?""
Daniel stepped closer.
My hands trembled.
I continued had been altered.*
I froze.
"What?""
Daniel stepped closer.
My hands trembled.
I continued.
*The hospital told us that you were born at 8:14 p.m. But the original delivery.
The hospital told us that you were born at 8:14 p.m. But the original delivery record listed another time and another attending physician. Your mother suspected the discrepancy was deliberate.
I looked up.
"Why would someone change record listed another time and another attending physician. Your mother suspected the discrepancy was deliberate.*
I looked up.
"Why would someone change my birth record?""
My father looked genuinely confused.
"I don't know.""
I read the next paragraph.
*If anyone ever questions your identity, my birth record?""
My father looked genuinely confused.
"I don't know.""
I read the next paragraph.
If anyone ever questions your identity, remember that your mother kept the original records. They are hidden where no one would think to search.
The remember that your mother kept the original records. They are hidden where no one would think to search.*
The letter ended with a sentence that made my blood run cold.
*You were not supposed to inherit the trust until your th letter ended with a sentence that made my blood run cold.
You were not supposed to inherit the trust until your thirtieth birthday. Someone wanted access to it before then because the trust contains evidence of what happened to your mother.
irtieth birthday. Someone wanted access to it before then because the trust contains evidence of what happened to your mother.*
I lowered the paper.
"Evidence?""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"That's why Victoria wasI lowered the paper.
"Evidence?""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"That's why Victoria was so determined to get control of it.""
My father took the letter.
He read the final paragraph again.
Then he looked at Daniel so determined to get control of it.""
My father took the letter.
He read the final paragraph again.
Then he looked at Daniel.
"Where are the original birth records?""
Daniel shook his head.
"I don't know.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from Margaret.
*I found another document inside.
"Where are the original birth records?""
Daniel shook his head.
"I don't know.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from Margaret.
I found another document inside the compartment.
Then a photograph appeared.
It showed an old hospital register.
My name was written on one line.
But beneath it was the compartment.*
Then a photograph appeared.
It showed an old hospital register.
My name was written on one line.
But beneath it was another name.
A second infant.
The same date of birth.
The same hospital.
The same attending physician.
I stared at the screen.
"What is this?""
another name.
A second infant.
The same date of birth.
The same hospital.
The same attending physician.
I stared at the screen.
"What is this?""
My father looked over my shoulder.
His face became completely still.
Daniel whispered:
My father looked over my shoulder.
His face became completely still.
Daniel whispered:
"Oh, my God.""
I turned toward him.
"What?""
He pointed to the second name.
It was Victoria's daughter's name.
**Sophie Mitchell.""Oh, my God.""
I turned toward him.
"What?""
He pointed to the second name.
It was Victoria's daughter's name.
*Sophie Mitchell.*
My cousin.
Born on the same day as me.
And according to the register, she had been recorded as the child of Elizabeth Mitchell.
I looked at my father.
"Why does this**
My cousin.
Born on the same day as me.
And according to the register, she had been recorded as the child of Elizabeth Mitchell.
I looked at my father.
"Why does this say Sophie was Mom's daughter?""
He slowly sat down.
Then he whispered:
"Because someone may have switched say Sophie was Mom's daughter?""
He slowly sat down.
Then he whispered:
May you like
"Because someone may have switched our birth records.""
our birth records.""
