Chapter 4: The Diagnosis I Never Received
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
Robert's words kept repeating inside my head.
Marcus Hale has already submitted a medical authorization claiming that his pregnant wife is experiencing severe psychological instability.
I looked at the calendar invitation on my phone.
Thursday. 10:30 A.M.
Northbridge Medical Center.
My name was written beneath the words BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT, followed by a reference number I didn't recognize.
"I've never been there," I whispered.
Eleanor took my hand.
"Then someone has used your identity.""
"But why would a doctor agree to write a report about someone they've never examined?""
Robert removed his glasses.
"That's precisely what we need to establish.""
I looked at him.
"Can you call the hospital?""
"I already have.""
He opened his laptop and turned it toward us.
"Northbridge has confirmed that a preliminary patient file exists under your name. The referral was submitted by a private physician who claims to have treated you.""
"Who?""
Robert glanced at the screen.
"Dr. Samuel Whitaker.""
I shook my head.
"I don't know anyone by that name.""
Eleanor's jaw tightened.
"Does he work for Marcus's company?""
Robert typed something.
"According to the hospital's records, he has provided occupational health services to Hale Holdings for four years.""
My stomach turned.
A company doctor.
A report about me.
A husband who wanted control over his unborn child's inheritance.
The pieces were beginning to fit together.
But I still couldn't understand how far Marcus was willing to go.
"Can they simply declare me mentally unfit?"" I asked.
"No," Robert answered firmly.
"A referral is not a diagnosis. And a diagnosis, by itself, does not automatically remove someone's parental rights. Any attempt to use this material in a guardianship proceeding would have to be challenged.""
"Then why is he doing it?""
Eleanor looked at the folder.
"Because he wants to establish a story before anyone asks questions.""
I lowered my eyes.
For months, Marcus had been telling me I was becoming difficult.
If I cried, I was hormonal.
If I questioned his whereabouts, I was jealous.
If I asked about missing money, I was paranoid.
He had turned ordinary questions into evidence against me.
And I had spent so much time trying to save our marriage that I hadn't realized I was defending myself against a case he was quietly building.
Robert's phone rang again.
He stepped away to answer.
Eleanor moved closer.
"Claire, I need you to listen carefully. From this moment forward, don't meet Marcus alone. Don't sign anything. And don't let him take you somewhere under the excuse of discussing the baby.""
I nodded.
Then I remembered something.
"His office.""
Eleanor frowned.
"What about it?""
"There's a small cabinet in his study. He keeps personal documents there. He told me never to touch it.""
"Do you know what's inside?""
"I don't. But the last time I cleaned his study, I noticed an envelope with my name on it.""
Eleanor's expression sharpened.
"Where is it now?""
"At home, I think.""
Robert returned.
"We have another problem.""
Eleanor turned.
"What now?""
"Marcus has requested an emergency meeting of the Hale Holdings board tomorrow morning.""
"On what grounds?""
Robert hesitated.
"He claims the trustee is interfering with executive operations and creating uncertainty around the company's ownership structure.""
Eleanor gave a bitter laugh.
"Of course he does.""
"What does he want?""
"To remove my authority before I can complete the financial review.""
Robert nodded.
"There's something else. He's also requested that the board approve a temporary restructuring of the company's voting rights.""
I looked between them.
"Can he do that?""
"Not without satisfying the trust's requirements," Eleanor replied.
"But he may be hoping the board approves the proposal before anyone understands what it actually means.""
Robert closed his laptop.
"I'll prepare an emergency injunction if necessary.""
Eleanor looked at me.
"First, we're taking you to the hospital.""
I wanted to argue.
I wanted to go home, find that envelope, and confront Marcus with everything.
But the baby came first.
And this time, I wasn't going to let anyone make me forget that.
At Northbridge Medical Center, the obstetrician examined me and monitored the baby's heartbeat.
The room was filled with the steady electronic rhythm.
Thump-thump.
Thump-thump.
I gripped the edge of the examination bed.
"Is everything okay?""
Dr. Patel smiled reassuringly.
"Your baby has a strong heartbeat. We're not seeing signs of immediate distress, but I'd like you to rest and avoid unnecessary stress. We'll continue monitoring you.""
I closed my eyes.
For the first time that day, I allowed myself to cry.
Eleanor sat beside me.
She didn't tell me to be strong.
She didn't tell me everything would be fine.
She simply held my hand until the tears stopped.
Then a nurse entered carrying a clipboard.
"Mrs. Hale? There's someone here asking to see you.""
My heart sank.
"Who?""
"Your husband.""
Eleanor stood immediately.
"She isn't receiving visitors.""
The nurse nodded.
"He's insisting that he has medical authorization.""
My blood went cold.
"What authorization?""
The nurse looked uncomfortable.
"He says he's your designated emergency contact and has permission to discuss your treatment.""
Eleanor's expression hardened.
"Being an emergency contact does not give him unlimited access to her medical information.""
She stepped into the hallway.
I could hear voices.
Then Marcus's.
"She's my wife. I have every right to know what's happening.""
Eleanor replied calmly.
"Then you should have thought about her health before allowing another woman to strike her.""
"Mother, stop making this personal.""
"It became personal when you started fabricating medical reports.""
Silence.
Then Marcus spoke again.
"What are you talking about?""
Eleanor's voice dropped.
"Northbridge has a patient file under Claire's name. A file you arranged.""
I sat up.
I could no longer hear his response clearly.
But I heard him say one thing.
"That wasn't supposed to happen yet.""
My blood ran cold.
Eleanor returned several seconds later.
Her face was pale.
"What did he mean?"" I asked.
She sat down slowly.
"He claims he was arranging a routine consultation because he was worried about your emotional state.""
"Did he explain the report?""
"No.""
"Did he deny signing the authorization?""
Eleanor shook her head.
Before I could ask another question, the nurse returned.
"Mrs. Hale, I'm sorry, but there's another issue. Your husband has submitted a document requesting access to your medical records and authority to make decisions if you become temporarily incapacitated.""
I stared at her.
"Did I sign that?""
The nurse checked the file.
"It appears to have your electronic signature.""
Eleanor stood.
"That's impossible. She has not authorized any such arrangement.""
The nurse looked between us.
"Then we'll need to flag it for review.""
Robert called ten minutes later.
Eleanor answered on speakerphone.
"Robert, tell me you've found something.""
"I have.""
His voice was unusually tense.
"The document submitted to Northbridge uses the same signature pattern as the declaration sent to the family trust.""
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"Forgery.""
"That's what it appears to be. But there's something else.""
"What?""
"The electronic submission originated from a device registered to Cross Advisory.""
I felt my breath catch.
Vivian.
Robert continued.
"And the authorization was uploaded using credentials belonging to someone inside Hale Holdings.""
"Who?"" Eleanor asked.
There was a pause.
"Marcus Hale's executive assistant.""
Eleanor looked at me.
The person who managed Marcus's schedule.
The person who arranged his meetings.
The person who had access to his private documents.
Then Robert added one final detail.
"Her name is Natalie Brooks. She's currently listed as the emergency contact on the medical authorization.""
I stared at the ceiling.
This wasn't just an affair.
It wasn't just a dishonest husband and a woman who wanted his money.
There were people helping him.
People who knew exactly what was being done.
And one of them had access to every part of his life.
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared.
*Claire, I'm sorry. I know what Marcus is doing. I have proof. Please don't trust Vivian.*
May you like
A second message followed.
*I'm Natalie. And I need to speak to you before tomorrow's board meeting.*
