Chapter 8: The Woman Who Gave## Chapter 8: The Woman Who Gave Birth to Me
For three Birth to Me
For three seconds, I couldn't move.
Lily was in the back of a seconds, I couldn't move.
Lily was in the back of a black car, her face pressed against the window, her black car, her face pressed against the window, her eyes wide with terror. I couldn't see the driver clearly, but eyes wide with terror. I couldn't see the driver clearly, but I recognized the gold bracelet resting on the hand gripping the steering wheel.
Vanessa's bracelet.
I recognized the gold bracelet resting on the hand gripping the steering wheel.
Vanessa's bracelet.
The same one she had worn when she ordered security to drag me out ofThe same one she had worn when she ordered security to drag me out of my father's building.
My father snatched the phone from my hand.
“Call her.””
I did.
my father's building.
My father snatched the phone from my hand.
“Call her.””
I did.
Vanessa answered on the first ring.
“Hello, Nia.””
“Where is Lily?””
“Somewhere safe.””
“Let me speakVanessa answered on the first ring.
“Hello, Nia.””
“Where is Lily?””
“Somewhere safe.””
“Let me speak to her.””
“Bring me the tapes.””
“Let me speak to my sister!””
A to her.””
“Bring me the tapes.””
“Let me speak to my sister!””
A pause followed.
Then I heard Lily's voice.
“Nia? Don't give her anything pause followed.
Then I heard Lily's voice.
“Nia? Don't give her anything!””
There was a sharp sound, followed by silence.
“Lily?”” I screamed.
!””
There was a sharp sound, followed by silence.
“Lily?”” I screamed.
Vanessa returned to the line.
“You see? This is why I never wanted you involved. You make everythingVanessa returned to the line.
“You see? This is why I never wanted you involved. You make everything unnecessarily difficult.””
My father leaned toward the phone.
“If you touch either of my daughters, I will unnecessarily difficult.””
My father leaned toward the phone.
“If you touch either of my daughters, I will destroy everything you have built.””
Vanessa laughed softly.
“Marcus, darling, destroy everything you have built.””
Vanessa laughed softly.
“Marcus, darling, you spent nineteen years trusting me with everything you owned. Your business. Your you spent nineteen years trusting me with everything you owned. Your business.
Your home. Your reputation. You think a few old recordings are going to frighten home.
Your reputation. You think a few old recordings are going to frighten me?””
“Where is Lily?””
“Bring the tapes to the place where this began me?””
“Where is Lily?””
“Bring the tapes to the place where this began. St. Catherine's Hospital.
The old maternity entrance. Midnight.””
. St. Catherine's Hospital.
The old maternity entrance. Midnight.””
“It's almost eleven,” I said.
“Then you have very little time.””
“Let me talk to Lily again.””
“No.””
“It's almost eleven,” I said.
“Then you have very little time.””
“Let me talk to Lily again.””
“No.””
The line went dead.
My father immediately called his security consultant.
I grabbed the second cassetteThe line went dead.
My father immediately called his security consultant.
I grabbed the second cassette.
“We have to go.””
He looked at me.
“We're not walking into a trap.
“We have to go.””
He looked at me.
“We're not walking into a trap without a plan.””
“She has Lily!””
“And if she has people waiting without a plan.””
“She has Lily!””
“And if she has people waiting for us, she'll take both of you.””
for us, she'll take both of you.””
I stared at him.
“Then what do you suggest? We sit here and let her decide what happens to my sister?””
His face tightened.
“No. We use theI stared at him.
“Then what do you suggest? We sit here and let her decide what happens to my sister?””
His face tightened.
“No. We use the time we have.””
He began issuing instructions, arranging for the police to trace Vanessa time we have.””
He began issuing instructions, arranging for the police to trace Vanessa's phone and asking his security consultant to coordinate with the officers stationed at Thomas's house.
But when's phone and asking his security consultant to coordinate with the officers stationed at Thomas's house.
But when I tried to call Lily, her phone went straight to voicemail.
I stood in the middle of the records annex, clutching I tried to call Lily, her phone went straight to voicemail.
I stood in the middle of the records annex, clutching the cassette marked with her name.
For seventeen years, Lily had lived under another the cassette marked with her name.
For seventeen years, Lily had lived under another identity. For nineteen years, I had believed I was an only child. And now the woman identity.
For nineteen years, I had believed I was an only child. And now the woman responsible for separating us had taken her again.
I couldn't bear the thought of losing her responsible for separating us had taken her again.
I couldn't bear the thought of losing her before we had even begun to know each other.
Grace returned carrying a small before we had even begun to know each other.
Grace returned carrying a small repair kit.
“I managed to recover a few seconds,” she said.
“The tape is damaged, but I think repair kit.
“I managed to recover a few seconds,” she said.
“The tape is damaged, but I think I can play the beginning again.””
She connected the recorder to a small speaker I can play the beginning again.””
She connected the recorder to a small speaker.
My mother's voice emerged through the static.
“...the woman who raised you was not the woman who gave birth to you.””
I closed my.
My mother's voice emerged through the static.
“...the woman who raised you was not the woman who gave birth to you.””
I closed my eyes.
“Your biological mother was my sister, Claire.””
The recording crackled.
Then my mother continued.
eyes.
“Your biological mother was my sister, Claire.””
The recording crackled.
Then my mother continued.
“Claire was seventeen when she discovered that the man who had promised to marry her was already married“Claire was seventeen when she discovered that the man who had promised to marry her was already married. When she became pregnant, he threatened to take the baby and use her existence. When she became pregnant, he threatened to take the baby and use her existence to control our family.””
My father leaned closer.
“What man?”” he to control our family.””
My father leaned closer.
“What man?”” he whispered.
The tape continued.
“I begged Claire to tell the police, but whispered.
The tape continued.
“I begged Claire to tell the police, but she was afraid. She believed he had friends in the hospital and people in positions of power. she was afraid.
She believed he had friends in the hospital and people in positions of power. She believed that if she challenged him, the baby would disappear.””
A burst of static swallowed several words She believed that if she challenged him, the baby would disappear.””
A burst of static swallowed several words.
Then my mother's voice returned.
“Marcus offered to help us. He promised to protect Claire and the baby. He didn't know.
Then my mother's voice returned.
“Marcus offered to help us. He promised to protect Claire and the baby. He didn't know that the man threatening her had already made arrangements with the hospital.””
My father went rigid that the man threatening her had already made arrangements with the hospital.””
My father went rigid.
“That's impossible,” he whispered.
“I never knew Claire was pregnant.””
Grace looked at him.
“Maybe you weren't supposed.
“That's impossible,” he whispered.
“I never knew Claire was pregnant.””
Grace looked at him.
“Maybe you weren't supposed to.””
The recording crackled again.
My mother's voice became faint.
“On the night the twins to.””
The recording crackled again.
My mother's voice became faint.
“On the night the twins were born, the hospital records were changed. One baby was sent home with Marcus. The other was taken to Vanessa were born, the hospital records were changed.
One baby was sent home with Marcus. The other was taken to Vanessa's mother. I was told that the second child had died.””
A pause's mother. I was told that the second child had died.””
A pause.
Then the sentence that changed everything.
“But the child Marcus brought home was Claire's daughter.””
I stared at the.
Then the sentence that changed everything.
“But the child Marcus brought home was Claire's daughter.””
I stared at the recorder.
My father looked at me.
“Nia...””
I couldn't look at recorder.
My father looked at me.
“Nia...””
I couldn't look at him.
I was not the daughter he had believed he was raising.
I was his niece.
My mother had him.
I was not the daughter he had believed he was raising.
I was his niece.
My mother had given birth to Lily.
And Claire had given birth to me.
The truth was so enormous that I could barely fit it given birth to Lily.
And Claire had given birth to me.
The truth was so enormous that I could barely fit it inside my mind.
“Play the rest,” I whispered.
Grace adjusted the damaged tape.
My mother's inside my mind.
“Play the rest,” I whispered.
Grace adjusted the damaged tape.
My mother's voice returned.
“I tried to tell Marcus. But by the time I understood what had happened, Vanessa voice returned.
“I tried to tell Marcus. But by the time I understood what had happened, Vanessa had already taken control of the hospital records. She told me had already taken control of the hospital records. She told me that if I revealed the switch, Claire would be arrested and both girls would be placed in state custody.””
My father's hands curled into fists.
“She threatened Evelyn?””
Grace nodded slowly.
The recording that if I revealed the switch, Claire would be arrested and both girls would be placed in state custody.””
My father's hands curled into fists.
“She threatened Evelyn?””
Grace nodded slowly.
The recording continued.
“I was afraid. I thought I could find a way to protect both girls without destroying the continued.
“I was afraid. I thought I could find a way to protect both girls without destroying the family we had built. I thought silence would give me time.””
My mother's voice broke.
“It didn't family we had built. I thought silence would give me time.””
My mother's voice broke.
“It didn't.””
A long hiss filled the room.
Then she spoke again, more.””
A long hiss filled the room.
Then she spoke again, more quietly.
“The man behind this is not a stranger quietly.
“The man behind this is not a stranger. He is someone Marcus trusts. Someone who has been in our home. Someone.
He is someone Marcus trusts. Someone who has been in our home. Someone who believes that if the truth comes out, he will lose everything.””
The tape clicked.
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
My who believes that if the truth comes out, he will lose everything.””
The tape clicked.
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
My father stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the recorder.
“Who?”” he whispered.
I looked at father stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the recorder.
“Who?”” he whispered.
I looked at the broken cassette.
My mother's voice had stopped just before the name.
Again.
We had come so close the broken cassette.
My mother's voice had stopped just before the name.
Again.
We had come so close.
Grace checked the device.
“I can try to repair the remaining section,.
Grace checked the device.
“I can try to repair the remaining section, but I can't promise anything.””
“Please,” I said.
“Try.””
She took the recorder but I can't promise anything.””
“Please,” I said.
“Try.””
She took the recorder into the corridor.
My father sank into a chair.
For the first time, I saw him as something other than the powerful man into the corridor.
My father sank into a chair.
For the first time, I saw him as something other than the powerful man who had raised me.
He looked like a husband who had lost his wife, a father who had raised me.
He looked like a husband who had lost his wife, a father who had failed his children, and a man who had spent nineteen years living inside a story someone else had written for him.
“Dad who had failed his children, and a man who had spent nineteen years living inside a story someone else had written for him.
“Dad,” I said quietly.
He looked up.
“I'm sorry.””
I frowned.
“Why are you apologizing to me?””
“Because I,” I said quietly.
He looked up.
“I'm sorry.””
I frowned.
“Why are you apologizing to me?””
“Because I should have questioned the records. I should have questioned Vanessa. I should have questioned every explanation that kept you away from the truth.””
His eyes filled with tears.
“I thought I was protecting you should have questioned the records. I should have questioned Vanessa. I should have questioned every explanation that kept you away from the truth.””
His eyes filled with tears.
“I thought I was protecting you. I thought if I gave you a stable home and made sure you never wanted for anything, I could. I thought if I gave you a stable home and made sure you never wanted for anything, I could make up for losing your mother.””
He shook his head.
“I didn't understand that the one thing make up for losing your mother.””
He shook his head.
“I didn't understand that the one thing you needed was the truth.””
I sat beside him.
For a moment, I wanted to take his hand.
Then I remembered the hospital records, you needed was the truth.””
I sat beside him.
For a moment, I wanted to take his hand.
Then I remembered the hospital records, the forged signature, and the years of silence.
“I don't know whether I can forgive you yet.””
He nodded.
“I understand the forged signature, and the years of silence.
“I don't know whether I can forgive you yet.””
He nodded.
“I understand.””
“But I don't want to lose you, either.””
His face crumpled.
He reached for me, then stopped.””
“But I don't want to lose you, either.””
His face crumpled.
He reached for me, then stopped, waiting for permission.
I leaned into him.
His arms closed around me, and for a few seconds,, waiting for permission.
I leaned into him.
His arms closed around me, and for a few seconds, I let myself be his daughter.
Not because the paperwork said I was.
Not because he I let myself be his daughter.
Not because the paperwork said I was.
Not because he had raised me.
Because, despite everything, I still loved him.
Then my phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived had raised me.
Because, despite everything, I still loved him.
Then my phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived.
*Midnight. Maternity entrance. Come alone.*
Below it was another photograph.
This one showed Lily standing.
*Midnight. Maternity entrance. Come alone.*
Below it was another photograph.
This one showed Lily standing beside Vanessa in a hospital corridor.
Vanessa held a document in one hand.
Lily's face beside Vanessa in a hospital corridor.
Vanessa held a document in one hand.
Lily's face was turned away, but I could see the red mark on her cheek.
I stood immediately was turned away, but I could see the red mark on her cheek.
I stood immediately.
“We're going.””
My father rose with me.
“Together.””
I looked at the photograph.
“We're going.””
My father rose with me.
“Together.””
I looked at the photograph.
Then I noticed the document Vanessa was holding.
It was a hospital transfer authorization.
At the bottom, in the.
Then I noticed the document Vanessa was holding.
It was a hospital transfer authorization.
At the bottom, in the space marked Biological Mother, someone had written a name.
*Claire Bennett. space marked Biological Mother*, someone had written a name.
*Claire Bennett.*
But beneath it, in a different handwriting, someone had added a second name.
*Evelyn Carter.*
Two mothers**
But beneath it, in a different handwriting, someone had added a second name.
*Evelyn Carter.*
Two mothers.
Two daughters.
One stolen identity.
And Vanessa had arranged for.
Two daughters.
One stolen identity.
And Vanessa had arranged for both names to appear on the same document.
I enlarged the image.
The date at the top was today's date.
My stomach both names to appear on the same document.
I enlarged the image.
The date at the top was today's date.
My stomach dropped.
“She isn't just threatening us,” I whispered.
“She's creating new records.””
My father studied the photograph.
“She wants dropped.
“She isn't just threatening us,” I whispered.
“She's creating new records.””
My father studied the photograph.
“She wants to make the switch permanent.””
I looked at the clock to make the switch permanent.””
I looked at the clock.
11:17 p.m.
We had forty-three minutes.
I picked up the two cassettes and slipped.
11:17 p.m.
We had forty-three minutes.
I picked up the two cassettes and slipped them into my bag.
“Then let's make sure she doesn't get the chance.””
My father them into my bag.
“Then let's make sure she doesn't get the chance.””
My father called the security consultant one last time.
“Bring the police to the old maternity entrance,” he ordered.
“No uniforms until called the security consultant one last time.
“Bring the police to the old maternity entrance,” he ordered.
“No uniforms until we give the signal. And get someone to Thomas's house. I want to know we give the signal.
And get someone to Thomas's house. I want to know where Lily was taken and who helped move her.””
He ended the call.
Then where Lily was taken and who helped move her.””
He ended the call.
Then he looked at me.
“If Vanessa tells you anything tonight, don't assume he looked at me.
“If Vanessa tells you anything tonight, don't assume it's true. She's spent years building this lie.””
I nodded.
“But there's it's true. She's spent years building this lie.””
I nodded.
“But there's something you need to remember,” he continued.
“Whatever those records say, whatever names something you need to remember,” he continued.
“Whatever those records say, whatever names they put on paper, none of it changes what you mean to me.””
I swallowed hard.
“Then prove it.””
He nodded.
they put on paper, none of it changes what you mean to me.””
I swallowed hard.
“Then prove it.””
He nodded.
“I will.””
We left the annex and drove toward St. Catherine's.
The rain had become a“I will.””
We left the annex and drove toward St. Catherine's.
The rain had become a steady downpour, and the streets shone beneath the headlights. I kept the photograph of steady downpour, and the streets shone beneath the headlights. I kept the photograph of Lily on my phone, studying every detail.
There was something wrong with Lily on my phone, studying every detail.
There was something wrong with the image.
The hospital corridor in the background looked familiar.
Not because I had been the image.
The hospital corridor in the background looked familiar.
Not because I had been there that night.
Because I had seen it in the old photographs.
The same blue tiles.
The same green exit sign.
there that night.
Because I had seen it in the old photographs.
The same blue tiles.
The same green exit sign.
The same clock above the nurses' station.
It was the original maternity wing, which had been closed years agoThe same clock above the nurses' station.
It was the original maternity wing, which had been closed years ago.
And in the photograph, the clock read 11:43.
The exact time that had followed us through every.
And in the photograph, the clock read 11:43.
The exact time that had followed us through every document, every death certificate, every altered record.
I showed my father.
He stared at document, every death certificate, every altered record.
I showed my father.
He stared at the screen.
“That's not a coincidence.””
“No,” I whispered.
“It's a message.””
The car slowed as we the screen.
“That's not a coincidence.””
“No,” I whispered.
“It's a message.””
The car slowed as we approached the hospital grounds.
My father looked at me.
“Whatever happens tonight, stay close to me.””
I nodded.
Then I noticed a second figure approached the hospital grounds.
My father looked at me.
“Whatever happens tonight, stay close to me.””
I nodded.
Then I noticed a second figure reflected in the photograph's glass door.
A man standing behind Vanessa.
His face was partially hidden by the camera flash.
But I recognized the suit reflected in the photograph's glass door.
A man standing behind Vanessa.
His face was partially hidden by the camera flash.
But I recognized the suit.
The silver tie.
The distinctive ring on his right hand.
My father's attorney, Daniel Reeves.
The man.
The silver tie.
The distinctive ring on his right hand.
My father's attorney, Daniel Reeves.
The man who had helped raise me from a distance.
The man who had told my who had helped raise me from a distance.
The man who had told my father that he couldn't prove what had happened to his daughters.
The man whose signature appeared on the forged guardianship papers.
father that he couldn't prove what had happened to his daughters.
The man whose signature appeared on the forged guardianship papers.
I turned toward my father.
“Dad.””
He looked at the screen.
His face drained ofI turned toward my father.
“Dad.””
He looked at the screen.
His face drained of color.
“No,” he whispered.
I enlarged the image until the man's face became clearer.
Daniel was standing color.
“No,” he whispered.
I enlarged the image until the man's face became clearer.
May you like
Daniel was standing directly behind Vanessa.
And he was smiling.
