Chapter 8: The Baby Chapter 8: The Baby They Tried to They Tried to Erase
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
I stared at the Erase
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
I stared at the hospital register on my phone.
Two babies.
One birthday.
Two names.
And my mother's name written beside hospital register on my phone.
Two babies.
One birthday.
Two names.
And my mother's name written beside both.
"Daddy, explain this.""
Arthur took the phone from my hands.
"I can't, sweetheart.""
both.
"Daddy, explain this.""
Arthur took the phone from my hands.
"I can't, sweetheart.""
"Is Sophie really Mom's daughter?""
He looked toward Daniel.
Daniel shook his head.
"I don't know. But"Is Sophie really Mom's daughter?""
He looked toward Daniel.
Daniel shook his head.
"I don't know. But I remember something from that year.""
"What?""
"Victoria disappeared for several months before you I remember something from that year.""
"What?""
"Victoria disappeared for several months before you were born.""
My father frowned.
"She told everyone she was traveling.""
"She wasn't traveling," Daniel replied.
" were born.""
My father frowned.
"She told everyone she was traveling.""
"She wasn't traveling," Daniel replied.
"She was pregnant.""
I looked between them.
"Pregnant with Sophie?""
Daniel nodded.
"That's what weShe was pregnant.""
I looked between them.
"Pregnant with Sophie?""
Daniel nodded.
"That's what we were told.""
I felt a chill.
"Then why would her name appear under Mom's records?""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
" were told.""
I felt a chill.
"Then why would her name appear under Mom's records?""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Because there were two deliveries at St. Mary's that night. Elizabeth was admitted first. Victoria arrived laterBecause there were two deliveries at St.
Mary's that night. Elizabeth was admitted first. Victoria arrived later.""
My father stared at him.
"You knew about this?""
"I knew they were both at the hospital. I didn't know the records.""
My father stared at him.
"You knew about this?""
"I knew they were both at the hospital. I didn't know the records had been altered.""
I looked at the photograph again.
The hospital register showed two separate entries.
One recorded Elizabeth Mitchell as the mother of had been altered.""
I looked at the photograph again.
The hospital register showed two separate entries.
One recorded Elizabeth Mitchell as the mother of Serena Mitchell.
The other recorded Elizabeth Mitchell as the mother of Sophie Mitchell.
But someone had crossed out the second entry and written Serena Mitchell.
The other recorded Elizabeth Mitchell as the mother of Sophie Mitchell.
But someone had crossed out the second entry and written Victoria Mitchell beside it.
The correction was dated six months after our births.
"Who changed it?"" I asked.
Victoria Mitchell beside it.
The correction was dated six months after our births.
"Who changed it?"" I asked.
Daniel enlarged the photograph.
There was a signature beneath the correction.
Diane Walker.
I closed my eyes.
"Of course.""
My father immediatelyDaniel enlarged the photograph.
There was a signature beneath the correction.
Diane Walker.
I closed my eyes.
"Of course.""
My father immediately called his attorney.
"Get the original hospital register authenticated. I also want the birth records for both children and the called his attorney.
"Get the original hospital register authenticated. I also want the birth records for both children and the names of every person who authorized amendments.""
He listened.
Then added:
"And arrange independent DNA testing. names of every person who authorized amendments.""
He listened.
Then added:
"And arrange independent DNA testing. We need to establish the biological relationships before anyone makes another claim.""
I looked at him.
"Do you We need to establish the biological relationships before anyone makes another claim.""
I looked at him.
"Do you think I'm not Mom's daughter?""
He turned immediately.
"No. I think think I'm not Mom's daughter?""
He turned immediately.
"No. I think someone deliberately manipulated records, and we need to know why.""
I swallowed.
I had never questioned my identity.
Elizabeth Mitchell was my mother someone deliberately manipulated records, and we need to know why.""
I swallowed.
I had never questioned my identity.
Elizabeth Mitchell was my mother.
Arthur Mitchell was my father.
Victoria was my aunt.
Sophie was my cousin.
Those facts had been the foundation of my entire life.
Now.
Arthur Mitchell was my father.
Victoria was my aunt.
Sophie was my cousin.
Those facts had been the foundation of my entire life.
Now someone had taken a pen to that foundation.
My daughter began crying softly in the neonatal unit.
A nurse entered.
"Mrs. someone had taken a pen to that foundation.
My daughter began crying softly in the neonatal unit.
A nurse entered.
"Mrs. Walker, your daughter is ready for another feeding attempt.""
I looked at the photograph of Elizabeth Eleanor.
"Can I see her?""
"Absolutely.""
My father helped me Walker, your daughter is ready for another feeding attempt.""
I looked at the photograph of Elizabeth Eleanor.
"Can I see her?""
"Absolutely.""
My father helped me into the wheelchair.
Before leaving, I looked at Daniel.
"Find out everything.""
He nodded.
"I will.""
into the wheelchair.
Before leaving, I looked at Daniel.
"Find out everything.""
He nodded.
"I will.""
My daughter was smaller than I had imagined.
The nurse placed her carefully against my chest, supporting her head.
Her tiny fingers openedMy daughter was smaller than I had imagined.
The nurse placed her carefully against my chest, supporting her head.
Her tiny fingers opened and closed.
I looked down at her.
"Hello, Elizabeth.""
She made a small sound.
I smiled through my tears.
"You're going to know and closed.
I looked down at her.
"Hello, Elizabeth.""
She made a small sound.
I smiled through my tears.
"You're going to know exactly who your grandmother was. And nobody is going to erase her.""
My father stood beside exactly who your grandmother was. And nobody is going to erase her.""
My father stood beside us.
For the first time that day, he smiled.
"She has your eyes.""
I looked at him.
"Do you really us.
For the first time that day, he smiled.
"She has your eyes.""
I looked at him.
"Do you really think so?""
"Absolutely.""
Then his phone rang.
He checked the screen.
"Daniel.""
He answered.
"Have think so?""
"Absolutely.""
Then his phone rang.
He checked the screen.
"Daniel.""
He answered.
"Have you found something?""
I watched his expression change.
"What?""
He turned away.
"Are you certain?""
A you found something?""
I watched his expression change.
"What?""
He turned away.
"Are you certain?""
A long pause followed.
Then he said:
"Don't confront her. Let the investigators long pause followed.
Then he said:
"Don't confront her. Let the investigators handle it.""
He ended the call.
I looked at him.
"What happened?""
He hesitated.
"Victoria has been located.""
"Where?""
"At her house.""
"Did she have the original handle it.""
He ended the call.
I looked at him.
"What happened?""
He hesitated.
"Victoria has been located.""
"Where?""
"At her house.""
"Did she have the original documents?""
"No. But Daniel found something else in the cabinet.""
"What?""
"A letter from Diane to Victoria.""
My documents?""
"No. But Daniel found something else in the cabinet.""
"What?""
"A letter from Diane to Victoria.""
My stomach tightened.
"What does it say?""
He showed me a photograph.
The letter was dated fifteen years earlier.
*The arrangement stomach tightened.
"What does it say?""
He showed me a photograph.
The letter was dated fifteen years earlier.
The arrangement has been completed. The records are consistent with the instructions. Elizabeth must never discover what happened to the second child.
I read has been completed. The records are consistent with the instructions. Elizabeth must never discover what happened to the second child.*
I read it again.
Then again.
"The second child?""
My father took the photograph.
"That's what we need to investigate.""
I looked at my daughter.
it again.
Then again.
"The second child?""
My father took the photograph.
"That's what we need to investigate.""
I looked at my daughter.
"Could this be about Sophie?""
"Possibly.""
My father called the hospital administrator"Could this be about Sophie?""
"Possibly.""
My father called the hospital administrator again.
Within an hour, an investigator arrived to collect copies of the documents.
He introduced himself as again.
Within an hour, an investigator arrived to collect copies of the documents.
He introduced himself as Detective Harris.
He was in his fifties, with a tired face and a notebook tucked into his jacket.
" Detective Harris.
He was in his fifties, with a tired face and a notebook tucked into his jacket.
"Mrs. Walker, I understand this is an extremely difficult situation.""
I nodded.
He placed the photograph on the table.
"Do youMrs. Walker, I understand this is an extremely difficult situation.""
I nodded.
He placed the photograph on the table.
"Do you recognize either of these names?""
"Yes. They're my cousin and me.""
"Have you ever had reason to believe recognize either of these names?""
"Yes. They're my cousin and me.""
"Have you ever had reason to believe your birth records were inaccurate?""
"No.""
He looked at the letter.
"Your aunt and mother were your birth records were inaccurate?""
"No.""
He looked at the letter.
"Your aunt and mother were both patients at St. Mary's on the same date. We're reviewing the original delivery records and the subsequent amendments.""
"Why would someone change them?""
"That's what we're trying to establish.""
My both patients at St. Mary's on the same date. We're reviewing the original delivery records and the subsequent amendments.""
"Why would someone change them?""
"That's what we're trying to establish.""
My father leaned forward.
"Detective, the same individual appears on several documents involving financial transfers and medical author father leaned forward.
"Detective, the same individual appears on several documents involving financial transfers and medical authorizations.""
"Diane Walker?""
"Yes.""
The detective nodded.
"She's already been identified as a person of interest in the document investigationizations.""
"Diane Walker?""
"Yes.""
The detective nodded.
"She's already been identified as a person of interest in the document investigation.""
I looked up.
"Has she been arrested?""
"Not at this stage. We're gathering evidence.""
My father asked another.""
I looked up.
"Has she been arrested?""
"Not at this stage. We're gathering evidence.""
My father asked another question.
"Can you establish who accessed the hospital records after the births?""
"We've requested the historical archive.""
question.
"Can you establish who accessed the hospital records after the births?""
"We've requested the historical archive.""
The detective closed his notebook.
"There's something else. We located a former maternity nurse who worked thatThe detective closed his notebook.
"There's something else. We located a former maternity nurse who worked that night. She's agreed to speak with us.""
I gripped the armrest.
"Who?""
"Her name is Helen night. She's agreed to speak with us.""
I gripped the armrest.
"Who?""
"Her name is Helen Brooks.""
The name meant nothing to me.
But my father suddenly looked interested.
"Is she still alive?""
"Yes. She's living outside Boston.""
"Did she say Brooks.""
The name meant nothing to me.
But my father suddenly looked interested.
"Is she still alive?""
"Yes. She's living outside Boston.""
"Did she say why she wanted to speak?""
The detective nodded.
"She said she has been waiting fifteen years for someone to ask the right question why she wanted to speak?""
The detective nodded.
"She said she has been waiting fifteen years for someone to ask the right question.""
The following afternoon, my father received a video call from Helen Brooks.
She appeared on the screen wearing glasses and.""
The following afternoon, my father received a video call from Helen Brooks.
She appeared on the screen wearing glasses and a pale blue cardigan.
Her hair was completely white.
But her voice was firm.
"Arthur Mitchell?""
"Yes.""
"My a pale blue cardigan.
Her hair was completely white.
But her voice was firm.
"Arthur Mitchell?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Helen Brooks. I was a maternity nurse at St. Mary's when Elizabeth was admitted.""
My father leaned closer.
"Do you remember my wife?""
Helen nodded.
"I remember her very well.""
"Do you remember the night she died?""
Her name is Helen Brooks. I was a maternity nurse at St. Mary's when Elizabeth was admitted.""
My father leaned closer.
"Do you remember my wife?""
Helen nodded.
"I remember her very well.""
"Do you remember the night she died?""
Her expression changed.
"Yes.""
I moved closer to the phone.
"Please tell us what happened.""
Helen looked at me.
expression changed.
"Yes.""
I moved closer to the phone.
"Please tell us what happened.""
Helen looked at me.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then she whispered:
"Your mother was not confused, sweetheart. She knew exactly what was happening.""
MyFor a long moment, she said nothing.
Then she whispered:
"Your mother was not confused, sweetheart. She knew exactly what was happening.""
My throat tightened.
"What do you mean?""
"Elizabeth told me someone was accessing her medical records without permission. She asked me to make copies of everything throat tightened.
"What do you mean?""
"Elizabeth told me someone was accessing her medical records without permission. She asked me to make copies of everything.""
My father closed his eyes.
"Why didn't you report it?""
"I tried.""
Helen looked down.
"Someone.""
My father closed his eyes.
"Why didn't you report it?""
"I tried.""
Helen looked down.
"Someone made sure my complaint disappeared.""
"Who?""
"Diane Walker.""
I felt sick.
Helen continued.
"Your mother also told me she made sure my complaint disappeared.""
"Who?""
"Diane Walker.""
I felt sick.
Helen continued.
"Your mother also told me she was afraid of what would happen to her children.""
I frowned.
"Her children?""
Helen nodded.
"She mentioned both babies.""
I looked at was afraid of what would happen to her children.""
I frowned.
"Her children?""
Helen nodded.
"She mentioned both babies.""
I looked at my father.
"Both?""
Helen took a breath.
"That night, two women gave birth at St. Mary's. Elizabeth Mitchell and Victoria Mitchell.""
My heart my father.
"Both?""
Helen took a breath.
"That night, two women gave birth at St. Mary's. Elizabeth Mitchell and Victoria Mitchell.""
My heart began pounding.
"Was Sophie born that night?""
"Yes.""
"Was I?""
Helen nodded.
"You began pounding.
"Was Sophie born that night?""
"Yes.""
"Was I?""
Helen nodded.
"You were.""
"Then why are the records wrong?""
Helen's eyes filled.
"Because someone changed them after the fact.""
She were.""
"Then why are the records wrong?""
Helen's eyes filled.
"Because someone changed them after the fact.""
She paused.
"Mrs. Walker, there is something else. Your mother asked me to protect a small envelope. She said it contained paused.
"Mrs. Walker, there is something else. Your mother asked me to protect a small envelope. She said it contained proof of what happened.""
My father leaned forward.
"Where is it?""
"I gave it to someone I trusted.""
"Who?""
Helen looked directly proof of what happened.""
My father leaned forward.
"Where is it?""
"I gave it to someone I trusted.""
"Who?""
Helen looked directly at me.
"Your grandmother.""
My father went completely still.
"Eleanor?""
"Yes. She collected it the at me.
"Your grandmother.""
My father went completely still.
"Eleanor?""
"Yes. She collected it the morning after Elizabeth died.""
I stared at the screen.
"Do you know what was inside?""
Helen shook her head.
"No. But I remember one thing morning after Elizabeth died.""
I stared at the screen.
"Do you know what was inside?""
Helen shook her head.
"No. But I remember one thing your mother said.""
"What?""
Helen's voice became very quiet.
"She said, 'If Serena ever becomes a mother, make sure she knows that the people who your mother said.""
"What?""
Helen's voice became very quiet.
"She said, 'If Serena ever becomes a mother, make sure she knows that the people who tried to take her life from her are not the people who gave it to her.''"
The call ended shortly afterward.
I tried to take her life from her are not the people who gave it to her.''"
The call ended shortly afterward.
I sat motionless.
My father looked at me.
"Serena...""
I shook my head.
"I need sat motionless.
My father looked at me.
"Serena...""
I shook my head.
"I need some time.""
He nodded.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Sophie.
*Serena, I know you're some time.""
He nodded.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Sophie.
Serena, I know you're in the hospital. Please don't believe everything your father tells you.
I stared at it.
in the hospital. Please don't believe everything your father tells you.*
I stared at it.
Another message appeared.
I need to tell you something about our birth records.
Then a third.
*I thinkAnother message appeared.
I need to tell you something about our birth records.
Then a third.
I think Diane knows we're not who we were told we are.
I looked at Diane knows we're not who we were told we are.*
I looked at my father.
He read the messages.
His expression hardened.
Before either of us could respond, Sophie called.
I answered.
"Hello?""
Her voice was shaking my father.
He read the messages.
His expression hardened.
Before either of us could respond, Sophie called.
I answered.
"Hello?""
Her voice was shaking.
"Serena, please don't hang up.""
"What do you want?""
"I need to see you.""
"Why?""
"Because I found something in my mother's.
"Serena, please don't hang up.""
"What do you want?""
"I need to see you.""
"Why?""
"Because I found something in my mother's house.""
I looked at my father.
He gestured for me to continue.
"What did you find?""
S house.""
I looked at my father.
He gestured for me to continue.
"What did you find?""
Sophie began crying.
"A photograph of two newborn babies.""
My heart pounded.
"Where?""
"In aophie began crying.
"A photograph of two newborn babies.""
My heart pounded.
"Where?""
"In a box marked Elizabeth.""
Then she whispered:
"Serena, one of those babies has your hospital box marked Elizabeth.""
Then she whispered:
May you like
"Serena, one of those babies has your hospital bracelet.""
bracelet.""
