Chapter 6: The Price of Keeping a Secret
Thomas placed the photograph on the coffee table.
Nobody moved.
My father picked it up first.
Price of Keeping a Secret
Thomas placed the photograph on the coffee table.
Nobody moved.
My father picked it up first.
“Who is this woman?””
Thomas rubbed his face.
“Her name was Claire.””
“Who is this woman?””
Thomas rubbed his face.
“Her name was Claire.””
“Was?””
“She died twelve years ago.””
Lily sat very still on the bottom step.
“Was?””
“She died twelve years ago.””
Lily sat very still on the bottom step.
I looked between the two men.
“What does Claire have to do with my mother?””
Thomas hesitated.
“I looked between the two men.
“What does Claire have to do with my mother?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Everything.””
He turned the photograph over and studied the faded writing.
“Vanessa told me ClaireEverything.””
He turned the photograph over and studied the faded writing.
“Vanessa told me Claire was your mother's younger sister. She said Claire had been involved in a serious accident shortly was your mother's younger sister. She said Claire had been involved in a serious accident shortly after the twins were born. She was in and out of hospitals for years.””
My father shook his head.
“Evelyn never after the twins were born. She was in and out of hospitals for years.””
My father shook his head.
“Evelyn never mentioned a sister named Claire.””
“Perhaps she didn't want you to know.””
“Why mentioned a sister named Claire.””
“Perhaps she didn't want you to know.””
“Why?””
Thomas's expression darkened.
“Because Claire was the woman who gave birth to Lily.””
The room seemed?””
Thomas's expression darkened.
“Because Claire was the woman who gave birth to Lily.””
The room seemed to tilt.
Lily rose so quickly that the step beneath her creaked.
“No.””
Thomas looked at to tilt.
Lily rose so quickly that the step beneath her creaked.
“No.””
Thomas looked at her.
“Sweetheart—”
“No! You just said Vanessa took me from a hospital. You her.
“Sweetheart—”
“No! You just said Vanessa took me from a hospital. You said my mother was dead. Now you're telling me I have another mother?””
“I don't know what to believe anymore,” said my mother was dead. Now you're telling me I have another mother?””
“I don't know what to believe anymore,” he admitted.
Lily stared at him.
“Then why are you telling us this?””
“Because I've he admitted.
Lily stared at him.
“Then why are you telling us this?””
“Because I've been keeping these documents for seventeen years, and every year I've convinced been keeping these documents for seventeen years, and every year I've convinced myself that silence was protecting you. It wasn't.””
My father sat down slowly.
“Explain myself that silence was protecting you. It wasn't.””
My father sat down slowly.
“Explain what you know. Everything.””
Thomas took a long breath.
“After Claire died, Vanessa came to me with what you know. Everything.””
Thomas took a long breath.
“After Claire died, Vanessa came to me with Lily. She told me Claire had given birth to a daughter and had asked Vanessa to find Lily. She told me Claire had given birth to a daughter and had asked Vanessa to find a suitable family.
She said Lily's biological father was dangerous, that he had threatened to take the child a suitable family. She said Lily's biological father was dangerous, that he had threatened to take the child away, and that the only way to protect her was to keep her identity private.””
“Who away, and that the only way to protect her was to keep her identity private.””
“Who was the father?”” I asked.
Thomas shook his head.
“She never told me.””
My father examined was the father?”” I asked.
Thomas shook his head.
“She never told me.””
My father examined the photograph again.
“And you accepted all of this?””
“I was a widower. I had lost the photograph again.
“And you accepted all of this?””
“I was a widower. I had lost my wife years earlier, and I had always wanted a child. Vanessa knew that.
She knew I my wife years earlier, and I had always wanted a child. Vanessa knew that. She knew I would be willing to help if I believed a little girl needed a home.””
“Then she offered would be willing to help if I believed a little girl needed a home.””
“Then she offered you money.””
“Yes.””
Thomas's voice grew quieter.
“She you money.””
“Yes.””
Thomas's voice grew quieter.
“She said the money would cover Lily's medical expenses and education. I signed the papers because I believed the said the money would cover Lily's medical expenses and education. I signed the papers because I believed the arrangement was temporary. I thought Claire's family would eventually come forward.””
“But they arrangement was temporary. I thought Claire's family would eventually come forward.””
“But they never did,” Lily said.
Thomas shook his head.
“No.””
“And you never looked never did,” Lily said.
Thomas shook his head.
“No.””
“And you never looked for them?””
“I did. I hired a private investigator when you were eight. He found a record of Claire's for them?””
“I did. I hired a private investigator when you were eight. He found a record of Claire's death, but the hospital wouldn't release her medical files. Then the investigator disappeared.””
My father leaned forward.
“Disappeared how death, but the hospital wouldn't release her medical files. Then the investigator disappeared.””
My father leaned forward.
“Disappeared how?””
“He stopped answering calls. His office was emptied. His wife told me he'd taken?””
“He stopped answering calls. His office was emptied. His wife told me he'd taken a job overseas.””
“That sounds familiar,” I said.
My father looked at me a job overseas.””
“That sounds familiar,” I said.
My father looked at me.
I could see the same thought forming in his mind.
Every person who had come close to discovering the.
I could see the same thought forming in his mind.
Every person who had come close to discovering the truth seemed to disappear.
The nurse.
The investigator.
Possibly Claire herself.
And all the truth seemed to disappear.
The nurse.
The investigator.
Possibly Claire herself.
And all the while, Vanessa had remained at the center of our lives.
My phone vibrated.
I looked down while, Vanessa had remained at the center of our lives.
My phone vibrated.
I looked down.
A new message had arrived from an unknown number.
**Ask Thomas who signed Claire's death certificate..
A new message had arrived from an unknown number.
*Ask Thomas who signed Claire's death certificate.*
I showed the others.
Thomas's hands began to shake.
“Oh, God**
I showed the others.
Thomas's hands began to shake.
“Oh, God.””
My father stood.
“Thomas?””
Thomas looked toward the hallway.
“There's something.””
My father stood.
“Thomas?””
Thomas looked toward the hallway.
“There's something I haven't told you.””
Lily's face tightened.
“What now?””
He swallowed.
“When Vanessa brought you I haven't told you.””
Lily's face tightened.
“What now?””
He swallowed.
“When Vanessa brought you to me, she gave me two documents. One was your guardianship agreement. The other was Claire's death certificate.””
I felt a chill spread through to me, she gave me two documents. One was your guardianship agreement. The other was Claire's death certificate.””
I felt a chill spread through me.
“Did you see the original?””
“No. It was a certified copy.””
“Who signed it?””
Thomas me.
“Did you see the original?””
“No. It was a certified copy.””
“Who signed it?””
Thomas hesitated.
Then he whispered, “Marcus Carter.””
My father staggered backward.
“That is hesitated.
Then he whispered, “Marcus Carter.””
My father staggered backward.
“That is impossible.””
Thomas opened the envelope and pulled out another sheet of paper.
He handed it over.
The document bore impossible.””
Thomas opened the envelope and pulled out another sheet of paper.
He handed it over.
The document bore my father's name.
His signature.
And a date from seventeen years earlier.
My father stared at my father's name.
His signature.
And a date from seventeen years earlier.
My father stared at it in disbelief.
“I never signed this.””
Thomas looked at him.
“I believe you.””
“Then someone it in disbelief.
“I never signed this.””
Thomas looked at him.
“I believe you.””
“Then someone forged my signature.””
“That's what I thought.””
My father turned the forged my signature.””
“That's what I thought.””
My father turned the paper over, searching for another clue.
At the bottom, a hospital administrator had paper over, searching for another clue.
At the bottom, a hospital administrator had added a handwritten note.
*Cause of death verified by next of kin.*
added a handwritten note.
*Cause of death verified by next of kin.*
Below it was a time.
*11:43 p.m.*
The same time that appeared on the photograph of my mother andBelow it was a time.
*11:43 p.m.*
The same time that appeared on the photograph of my mother and the twins.
I looked at the document.
“Why does that time keep appearing?””
Thomas's eyes filled the twins.
I looked at the document.
“Why does that time keep appearing?””
Thomas's eyes filled with dread.
“Because that's when Claire died.””
Lily covered her mouth.
My father stared at the with dread.
“Because that's when Claire died.””
Lily covered her mouth.
My father stared at the death certificate.
“Where did Claire die?””
Thomas looked at him death certificate.
“Where did Claire die?””
Thomas looked at him.
“At the same hospital where Evelyn gave birth.””
Silence swallowed the room.
I could.
“At the same hospital where Evelyn gave birth.””
Silence swallowed the room.
I could hear the rain tapping against the windows.
I could hear Lily's uneven breathing.
I could hear my father hear the rain tapping against the windows.
I could hear Lily's uneven breathing.
I could hear my father whispering something under his breath, as if repeating the details might somehow whispering something under his breath, as if repeating the details might somehow make them less terrible.
Then Thomas reached into the envelope one last time.
He removed a small, yellowed letter make them less terrible.
Then Thomas reached into the envelope one last time.
He removed a small, yellowed letter.
The paper was folded into quarters, and the edges had begun to crumble.
“I.
The paper was folded into quarters, and the edges had begun to crumble.
“I found this inside the envelope Vanessa gave me,” he said.
“I didn't read it until found this inside the envelope Vanessa gave me,” he said.
“I didn't read it until years later. By then, I was afraid years later. By then, I was afraid to ask questions.””
He handed it to me.
The handwriting was delicate and familiar, though I had only seen it on a handful to ask questions.””
He handed it to me.
The handwriting was delicate and familiar, though I had only seen it on a handful of old birthday cards.
My mother's handwriting.
I unfolded the letter.
*To of old birthday cards.
My mother's handwriting.
I unfolded the letter.
To whoever finds this,
If you are reading these words, then I have failed to protect my daughters whoever finds this,
If you are reading these words, then I have failed to protect my daughters.
My vision blurred.
I forced myself to keep reading.
There are two girls. They are both.
My vision blurred.
I forced myself to keep reading.
*There are two girls. They are both mine. They are both loved.
But someone has decided that only mine. They are both loved. But someone has decided that only one of them is allowed to exist.*
I stopped.
My father moved closer.
“What does it say?””
I handed him the letter.
He read the one of them is allowed to exist.*
I stopped.
My father moved closer.
“What does it say?””
I handed him the letter.
He read the next paragraph aloud, his voice barely audible.
*Marcus believes our daughters are safe. He does next paragraph aloud, his voice barely audible.
*Marcus believes our daughters are safe. He does not know what has been arranged behind his back. If anything happens to me, do not trust the hospital records.
Do not trust not know what has been arranged behind his back. If anything happens to me, do not trust the hospital records. Do not trust the person who tells you that one child died.*
He swallowed.
Then continued.
The girl who leaves the hospital with Marcus is not the girl they intend the person who tells you that one child died.
He swallowed.
Then continued.
The girl who leaves the hospital with Marcus is not the girl they intend him to keep.
My father lowered the paper.
I felt as though the air had been him to keep.*
My father lowered the paper.
I felt as though the air had been sucked from the room.
“What does that mean?”” I whispered.
Thomas shook his head.
“I don't know.””
Lily stepped sucked from the room.
“What does that mean?”” I whispered.
Thomas shook his head.
“I don't know.””
Lily stepped closer.
“Keep reading.””
My father unfolded the final section.
*If my daughters are ever reunited closer.
“Keep reading.””
My father unfolded the final section.
If my daughters are ever reunited, tell them this: one of them was given a new name to protect her. The other was given a new, tell them this: one of them was given a new name to protect her. The other was given a new identity to hide what was done to her.
He stared at the page.
Beneath the final sentence was a identity to hide what was done to her.*
He stared at the page.
Beneath the final sentence was a signature.
*Evelyn Carter.*
And below it, a date.
The letter had been written signature.
*Evelyn Carter.*
And below it, a date.
The letter had been written two days before the twins were born.
I pressed a hand over my mouth.
My mother had known something was two days before the twins were born.
I pressed a hand over my mouth.
My mother had known something was coming.
She had known enough to leave instructions.
But she had never told us what had coming.
She had known enough to leave instructions.
But she had never told us what had happened.
My father sank into the armchair.
“I didn't know,” he whispered.
“I swear to happened.
My father sank into the armchair.
“I didn't know,” he whispered.
“I swear to God, I didn't know.””
I wanted to believe him.
I really did.
But the letter had changed everything.
It God, I didn't know.””
I wanted to believe him.
I really did.
But the letter had changed everything.
It suggested that the baby he brought home might not have been the child he thought he was raising.
It suggested that the baby he brought home might not have been the child he thought he was raising.
It suggested that one of us had been given a false identity.
And it suggested that my mother had feared for both our lives suggested that one of us had been given a false identity.
And it suggested that my mother had feared for both our lives before either of us had even taken our first breath.
Lily looked at me.
“Do you think we're before either of us had even taken our first breath.
Lily looked at me.
“Do you think we're really twins?””
I couldn't answer.
We had the same eyes.
The same scar.
The same dreams really twins?””
I couldn't answer.
We had the same eyes.
The same scar.
The same dreams.
But now even our birth records were suspect.
Thomas walked toward a.
But now even our birth records were suspect.
Thomas walked toward a small desk near the window.
“I may have something else.””
He opened a drawer and removed an small desk near the window.
“I may have something else.””
He opened a drawer and removed an old photograph album.
Its leather cover was cracked, and several pages had come loose from the binding.
He placed old photograph album.
Its leather cover was cracked, and several pages had come loose from the binding.
He placed it on the table and opened it to the middle.
There were pictures of Lily as a baby, then as a toddler, it on the table and opened it to the middle.
There were pictures of Lily as a baby, then as a toddler, then as a little girl with missing front teeth and scraped knees.
I leaned then as a little girl with missing front teeth and scraped knees.
I leaned closer.
In one photograph, she was sitting on a hospital bed, holding a stuffed rabbit with one closer.
In one photograph, she was sitting on a hospital bed, holding a stuffed rabbit with one crooked ear.
My breath caught.
The yellow blanket.
The rabbit.
Hoppy.
I had seen that toy in my own crooked ear.
My breath caught.
The yellow blanket.
The rabbit.
Hoppy.
I had seen that toy in my own childhood photographs.
“Where did you get that?”” I whispered.
Thomas looked at the picture.
“Vanessa gave it to me when Lily childhood photographs.
“Where did you get that?”” I whispered.
Thomas looked at the picture.
“Vanessa gave it to me when Lily came home. She said it was the only thing Claire had left for her.””
I touched the came home. She said it was the only thing Claire had left for her.””
I touched the edge of the photograph.
“I had the same rabbit.””
My father stared at me.
“What edge of the photograph.
“I had the same rabbit.””
My father stared at me.
“What?””
“I remember it. I had a yellow blanket with a blue rabbit sewn into the corner.?””
“I remember it. I had a yellow blanket with a blue rabbit sewn into the corner. You told me it belonged to Mom.””
He looked at Thomas.
“Did Lily ever have that blanket?””
Thomas shook his head.
“No You told me it belonged to Mom.””
He looked at Thomas.
“Did Lily ever have that blanket?””
Thomas shook his head.
“No. Vanessa took it away when Lily was about three. She said it was old and unhygienic.””
My hands began to tremble.
“Why would. Vanessa took it away when Lily was about three. She said it was old and unhygienic.””
My hands began to tremble.
“Why would she take it away?””
Thomas turned another page.
A photograph showed Lily at about five years old, she take it away?””
Thomas turned another page.
A photograph showed Lily at about five years old, standing beside Vanessa in a garden. Vanessa's hand rested on the girl's shoulder.
On the back, someone had written:
standing beside Vanessa in a garden. Vanessa's hand rested on the girl's shoulder.
On the back, someone had written:
*My beautiful daughter. May My beautiful daughter. May 2014.*
Lily looked at the picture with a hollow expression.
“She told me she was2014.**
Lily looked at the picture with a hollow expression.
“She told me she was my aunt,” she whispered.
“She said my mother had died, and she was helping Thomas raise me.””
My father turned my aunt,” she whispered.
“She said my mother had died, and she was helping Thomas raise me.””
My father turned toward her.
“She never told you she was your mother?””
“No.””
“Did she ever say anything toward her.
“She never told you she was your mother?””
“No.””
“Did she ever say anything about a sister?””
Lily hesitated.
“Once.””
Everyone went still.
“When about a sister?””
Lily hesitated.
“Once.””
Everyone went still.
“When?””
“When I was nine. I found a box in her bedroom. It had photographs?””
“When I was nine. I found a box in her bedroom. It had photographs of two babies inside. I asked her who the other baby was.””
“What did of two babies inside. I asked her who the other baby was.””
“What did she say?””
Lily's face tightened.
“She slapped me.””
Thomas closed his eyes.
I she say?””
Lily's face tightened.
“She slapped me.””
Thomas closed his eyes.
I felt sick.
“She told me never to ask about the photographs again,” Lily continued.
“Then she felt sick.
“She told me never to ask about the photographs again,” Lily continued.
“Then she took the box away. A week later, she told me I was going to a new school, and I wasn't allowed took the box away. A week later, she told me I was going to a new school, and I wasn't allowed to mention anything about my old family.””
My father stood abruptly to mention anything about my old family.””
My father stood abruptly.
“I am going to find Vanessa.””
“No,” Thomas said.
Marcus turned on him.
“She has lied to my family for.
“I am going to find Vanessa.””
“No,” Thomas said.
Marcus turned on him.
“She has lied to my family for nineteen years. She may have stolen one of my daughters, forged documents, and concealed evidence of a death. You expect nineteen years.
She may have stolen one of my daughters, forged documents, and concealed evidence of a death. You expect me to sit here?””
“I expect you to think before you act.””
Thomas's voice was firmer now.
“ me to sit here?””
“I expect you to think before you act.””
Thomas's voice was firmer now.
“Vanessa has spent years preparing for this moment. If you confront her without evidence, she'll deny everything. She'llVanessa has spent years preparing for this moment.
If you confront her without evidence, she'll deny everything. She'll say I'm lying, that Lily is confused, and that the documents are forged.””
My father looked toward the letter say I'm lying, that Lily is confused, and that the documents are forged.””
My father looked toward the letter.
“We have evidence.””
“We have pieces of evidence. We don't know which ones are genuine, who created.
“We have evidence.””
“We have pieces of evidence. We don't know which ones are genuine, who created them, or why the dates keep appearing. We need someone who can investigate without them, or why the dates keep appearing. We need someone who can investigate without alerting her.””
I looked at the letter again.
“Daniel.””
My father shook alerting her.””
I looked at the letter again.
“Daniel.””
My father shook his head.
“I'm not sure I trust Daniel anymore.””
“Then we find someone else,” I said.
I his head.
“I'm not sure I trust Daniel anymore.””
“Then we find someone else,” I said.
I pulled out my phone and photographed every page of the letter, every document, and every picture pulled out my phone and photographed every page of the letter, every document, and every picture we had found.
Lily watched me.
“What are you doing?””
“Making copies. If someone takes we had found.
Lily watched me.
“What are you doing?””
“Making copies. If someone takes these papers, we won't lose everything.””
For the first time since we had arrived, she gave these papers, we won't lose everything.””
For the first time since we had arrived, she gave me a small, uncertain smile.
“That's actually smart.””
I almost smiled back.
Then my phone rang me a small, uncertain smile.
“That's actually smart.””
I almost smiled back.
Then my phone rang.
The number was unfamiliar.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A man's voice spoke quickly.
“Is this Nia Carter?””
“Yes.
The number was unfamiliar.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A man's voice spoke quickly.
“Is this Nia Carter?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Peter Lawson. I used to work in medical records at St.””
“My name is Peter Lawson. I used to work in medical records at St. Catherine's Hospital.””
My father moved closer.
“How did you get this. Catherine's Hospital.””
My father moved closer.
“How did you get this number?”” I asked.
“I was given it by someone who said you were looking into the birth records from nineteen number?”” I asked.
“I was given it by someone who said you were looking into the birth records from nineteen years ago.””
“Who?””
“I can't tell you over the phone. But I have something that belongs to your mother.””
My heart began racing.
“What is years ago.””
“Who?””
“I can't tell you over the phone. But I have something that belongs to your mother.””
My heart began racing.
“What is it?””
“A recording.””
“What kind of recording?””
“The night your mother it?””
“A recording.””
“What kind of recording?””
“The night your mother gave birth, she asked a nurse to record a message for her daughters. She said it was the only way to make sure the gave birth, she asked a nurse to record a message for her daughters. She said it was the only way to make sure the truth survived.””
I gripped the phone.
“Where are you?””
“I'm at a motel off Route truth survived.””
I gripped the phone.
“Where are you?””
“I'm at a motel off Route 6. Room 118. Come alone.””
My father shook his head violently.
I 6. Room 118. Come alone.””
My father shook his head violently.
I covered the microphone.
“No,” he mouthed.
I covered the microphone.
“No,” he mouthed.
I ignored him.
“Why should I trust you?””
“Because the message begins with your name.””
I went cold.
“What does ignored him.
“Why should I trust you?””
“Because the message begins with your name.””
I went cold.
“What does she say?””
The man hesitated.
Then he whispered, “She says, 'Nia, if you're she say?””
The man hesitated.
Then he whispered, “She says, 'Nia, if you're hearing this, it means they brought the wrong baby home.''”
I couldn't breathe hearing this, it means they brought the wrong baby home.''”
I couldn't breathe.
The phone crackled.
“There's something else,” Peter added.
“Your mother named the person who arranged the switch.””
“Who?””
He began to answer.
Then a loud crash sounded through.
The phone crackled.
“There's something else,” Peter added.
“Your mother named the person who arranged the switch.””
“Who?””
He began to answer.
Then a loud crash sounded through the phone.
A man's voice the phone.
A man's voice shouted in the background.
Peter gasped.
“Wait! No, please—”
The line went dead.
I stared at the screen.
My father seized his jacket.
“What shouted in the background.
Peter gasped.
“Wait! No, please—”
The line went dead.
I stared at the screen.
My father seized his jacket.
“What happened?””
I looked up at him, my face numb.
“Someone found him.””
He reached happened?””
I looked up at him, my face numb.
“Someone found him.””
He reached for his phone.
But before he could make a call, a message arrived from the same unknown number.
It contained a photograph of Peter Lawson lying unconscious on a for his phone.
But before he could make a call, a message arrived from the same unknown number.
It contained a photograph of Peter Lawson lying unconscious on a motel floor.
Beside him stood Vanessa.
She was holding a small silver recorder.
The caption read:
**If you want to know which motel floor.
Beside him stood Vanessa.
She was holding a small silver recorder.
The caption read:
*If you want to know which daughter was switched, ask Vanessa what she did at 11:43 p.m.*
Then another message appeared.
*But be careful, Nia. The daughter was switched, ask Vanessa what she did at 11:43 p.m.*
Then another message appeared.
*But be careful, Nia. The truth about your birth is not the worst thing your mother hid from you.*
My father stared at the screen.
Lily began truth about your birth is not the worst thing your mother hid from you.**
My father stared at the screen.
Lily began to cry.
And I realized that whoever had orchestrated our separation was no to cry.
And I realized that whoever had orchestrated our separation was no longer content to keep the past buried.
They were coming after everyone who tried to uncover it.
longer content to keep the past buried.
May you like
They were coming after everyone who tried to uncover it.
*And Vanessa had just taken the only recording that might prove which one of us was the daughter myAnd Vanessa had just taken the only recording that might prove which one of us was the daughter my father had brought home. father had brought home.*
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