Chapter 10: The Last Child of the Carter Family
For almost a minute, I couldn't speak.
I read the message again.
*I'm the sister they buried instead of Nia.*
Then I looked at the photograph.
The young woman standing outside the hospital had Nia's eyes, Rebecca's face, and the same crescent-shaped scar that appeared in every photograph of my biological family.
Another sister.
Another secret.
Another person Evelyn had tried to erase.
Detective Collins immediately called the hospital.
“Secure every entrance. Nobody enters or leaves without identification. I want officers outside Mrs. Carter's room immediately.””
She ended the call and turned toward me.
“Do not respond to that number.””
“Why?””
“Because we don't know who's sending those messages.””
I looked at Rebecca.
She had gone completely pale.
“Charlotte,” she whispered.
I turned.
“You know her?””
Rebecca covered her mouth.
“She's alive?””
“Apparently.””
Tears filled her eyes.
“My little girl.””
I took her hand.
“Tell me what happened.””
Rebecca struggled to breathe normally.
“When I gave birth, I was told there were only two babies. They said the third child hadn't survived.””
I stared at her.
“But my father said there were triplets.””
She nodded.
“I found out years later. A nurse contacted me anonymously and told me that another baby had been delivered alive. But by then, all the records had disappeared.””
“Who took her?””
Rebecca shook her head.
“I never found out.””
Detective Collins looked at the photograph again.
“Then we need to establish whether this woman is actually Charlotte.””
My phone vibrated.
Another message.
*Charlotte: I have the original recording. Evelyn is on her way to the hospital. Don't let her reach Nia.*
I showed Detective Collins.
She immediately stood.
“We're going back.””
The drive to St. Mary's Hospital felt different this time.
I wasn't simply racing to save my wife.
I was racing to stop a woman who had spent thirty-seven years arranging the lives of everyone around her.
Evelyn had taken children.
She had manipulated adoptions.
She had helped steal millions.
She had covered up my father's murder.
And when Nia discovered the truth, Evelyn had helped put her own granddaughter inside a coffin.
I looked at Rebecca.
She sat beside me, holding the old photograph of her newborn children.
“Do you think Charlotte is really alive?”” I asked.
Rebecca nodded.
“I can feel it.””
I wanted to believe her.
But I had learned that hope could be just as dangerous as fear.
When we arrived, two police officers were standing outside Nia's room.
Detective Collins approached them.
“Any visitors?””
“One nurse and a doctor. Both verified.””
“Has anyone else tried to enter?””
The officer hesitated.
“A woman arrived about ten minutes ago. She claimed to be Mrs. Carter's mother.””
My stomach dropped.
“Where is she?””
“She left when we asked for identification.””
Detective Collins looked at me.
“Which direction?””
“Service elevator.””
We ran.
The elevator doors opened.
Nobody was inside.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Charlotte?””
A woman's voice whispered:
“Don't go to Nia's room.””
I stopped.
“Who is this?””
“You know who.””
“Are you Charlotte?””
A pause.
“Yes.””
“Where are you?””
“Across the street. Second-floor parking garage.””
“Why?””
“Because Evelyn has someone inside the hospital.””
I looked toward Detective Collins.
“What someone?””
Charlotte's voice trembled.
“Someone wearing a police uniform.””
The call ended.
I turned to the detective.
“There's an impersonator inside.””
She immediately contacted hospital security.
Then she drew her weapon.
“Stay behind me.””
We hurried toward Nia's room.
The officer outside was still standing there.
“Detective.””
She raised her weapon.
“Step away from the door.””
He frowned.
“What's going on?””
“Show me your identification.””
He reached toward his belt.
Detective Collins shouted.
“Hands where I can see them!””
The man suddenly turned and ran.
I rushed toward the door.
He disappeared around the corner.
An officer chased him.
Detective Collins unlocked Nia's room.
I burst inside.
“Nia!””
My wife was sitting upright in bed.
Her eyes widened.
“Marcus?””
I crossed the room and embraced her.
“Are you okay?””
She nodded.
“What happened?””
“Evelyn was here.””
Nia's expression changed.
“Did you see her?””
“No.””
She grabbed my arm.
“Marcus, she knows about Charlotte.””
I looked at Rebecca.
“Who is Charlotte?””
Nia swallowed.
“The woman who was supposed to be in my coffin.””
I stared at her.
“You knew?””
“I saw her photograph on Daniel's phone. He told Evelyn that Charlotte had become a problem.””
Rebecca began crying.
“My daughter.””
Nia looked at her.
“I think she was trying to save me.””
Before anyone could respond, Detective Collins' radio crackled.
“Suspect detained near the service entrance. Female accomplice located in the parking garage.””
I turned toward the door.
“Charlotte?””
The detective shook her head.
“We don't know yet.””
Then a nurse entered.
“Mrs. Carter, someone has delivered a package for you.””
I immediately stepped forward.
“Who delivered it?””
“A woman. She said it was from family.””
Detective Collins took the package.
It was a small cardboard box.
No return address.
No name.
Just a handwritten message on the top.
*For the child who survived.*
Nia began shaking.
“Don't open it.””
Detective Collins carefully examined the box.
Then called the bomb squad.
But before they arrived, a small sound came from inside.
A phone ringing.
Detective Collins opened the outer packaging using a tool.
Inside was a black smartphone.
The screen displayed a video.
She pressed play.
Evelyn appeared.
She was sitting in a car, wearing a black coat.
Her face was calm.
Almost peaceful.
“Marcus,” she said, “if you're watching this, you've probably found Rebecca.””
I stepped closer.
Evelyn continued.
“You think you know everything now. You think I'm the villain because I made difficult decisions.””
She smiled faintly.
“But you still don't understand why your father wanted that baby.””
The video paused.
A second clip began automatically.
It showed an old hospital corridor.
A nurse carried a newborn baby.
A younger Evelyn followed her.
Then the camera angle changed.
I saw the nurse place the baby inside a small transport crib.
Evelyn leaned over.
And whispered something.
The recording had no sound, but her lips formed two unmistakable words.
*My child.*
The screen went black.
Then a final message appeared.
*COME TO ST. CATHERINE'S. BRING THE BABY.*
I looked at Nia.
“No.””
She nodded.
“She's not finished.””
Charlotte was waiting on the second-floor parking garage.
She stood beside a silver car, wearing a dark green jacket.
When she saw Rebecca, she immediately began crying.
“Mom?””
Rebecca stopped walking.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Charlotte ran toward her.
Rebecca dropped her cane.
They embraced beside the car.
“Oh, my baby,” Rebecca sobbed.
Charlotte held her tightly.
“I thought you were dead.””
“I thought you were.””
I stood several feet away.
I couldn't stop staring at Charlotte.
She looked like Nia.
Not identical, but close enough that someone unfamiliar with them might mistake them for sisters.
Which, of course, they were.
Charlotte finally stepped away from Rebecca.
Then she looked at me.
“Marcus.””
I nodded.
“Charlotte.””
She glanced at Nia.
“I'm sorry.””
Nia frowned.
“For what?””
“For not reaching you sooner.””
Nia shook her head.
“You didn't put me in that coffin.””
Charlotte looked down.
“No. But I helped Evelyn build the plan.””
The silence was immediate.
Rebecca stepped back.
“What?””
Charlotte's eyes filled with tears.
“I worked for her.””
I felt my body stiffen.
“What do you mean?””
“She raised me after taking me from the hospital. She told me Rebecca had died and that I was her daughter.””
Rebecca covered her mouth.
Charlotte continued.
“When I was eighteen, I discovered my birth records. Evelyn told me the truth, but she made me promise never to contact my biological family.””
“Why did you stay with her?”” I asked.
“Because she threatened to destroy everyone I loved.””
Nia looked at her.
“Did you know about the coffin?””
Charlotte nodded.
“I knew Daniel was planning to fake your death. I thought they were going to keep you in a private facility until you signed the documents.””
She began crying.
“I didn't know they were going to bury you.””
“Then why did you help?””
“Because Evelyn told me she would release the adoption records if I didn't cooperate. She said she'd make sure Rebecca was arrested for child trafficking.””
Rebecca shook her head.
“She lied to you.””
“I know.””
Charlotte removed a small flash drive from her jacket.
“This contains everything.””
Detective Collins approached.
“What exactly?””
“Evelyn's recordings. The adoption files. The financial records. And the original video of Thomas Carter's accident.””
I stared at her.
“You have the original?””
Charlotte nodded.
“And something else.””
She looked at me.
“The person who ordered your father's death.””
“Evelyn?””
Charlotte shook her head.
“Not exactly.””
She handed the flash drive to Detective Collins.
Then she took a deep breath.
“Evelyn was in the car. Daniel was driving. But someone gave them the order.””
“Who?””
Charlotte looked at me.
“Michael Grant.””
The lawyer.
The man who had arranged our adoptions.
The man who had worked for Evelyn for decades.
I closed my eyes.
“How do you know?””
“Because I recorded him.””
She pressed a button on her phone.
A man's voice filled the parking garage.
“Thomas has to disappear. If he reaches the authorities, all of us go down.””
Then Evelyn's voice.
“What about the children?””
Michael answered.
“The children are our insurance. Keep them separated. When they're old enough, they'll sign whatever we need.””
I felt sick.
Then another voice entered the recording.
Daniel.
“What if Marcus finds out?””
Michael laughed.
“He won't. Thomas will make sure of that.””
The recording ended.
Detective Collins looked at Charlotte.
“Where is Michael now?””
“At St. Catherine's Hospital.””
“Why?””
Charlotte looked toward the city.
“Because that's where Evelyn keeps the original adoption records.””
I stared at her.
“You mean the hospital archives?””
She nodded.
“And that's where she's going tonight.””
At 8:30 p.m., we entered St. Catherine's Hospital under police escort.
It was the same hospital where my father had helped establish the neonatal wing.
The same place where my biological mother had given birth to three children.
And the same place where Evelyn had apparently built her private empire.
Detective Collins divided the officers into two teams.
One went to the administrative offices.
The other secured the basement archives.
I stayed with Nia, Rebecca, and Charlotte.
We entered the old neonatal wing.
Most of the rooms had been renovated.
But one corridor remained untouched.
At the end stood a small metal door.
A brass plaque read:
*CARTER FAMILY ARCHIVE — PRIVATE RECORDS*
I looked at Rebecca.
“Did you know about this?””
She shook her head.
“No.””
Charlotte stepped forward.
“Evelyn used to come here every month.””
“Why?””
“To check the records.””
I touched the door.
It was unlocked.
Inside was a small room filled with filing cabinets.
Photographs covered one wall.
My father.
Rebecca.
Evelyn.
Daniel.
And me.
There were photographs from every stage of our lives.
My first birthday.
Daniel's school graduation.
Nia's wedding.
Even the morning of our wedding anniversary.
Someone had been watching us for years.
Nia approached a filing cabinet.
“Marcus.””
She pointed toward a folder.
My name was written across the front.
I opened it.
Inside were copies of my birth certificate, adoption papers, school records, and medical reports.
Then I found a document dated seven years earlier.
It was a transfer agreement.
My father's signature appeared at the bottom.
But the date was after his death.
I looked closer.
The agreement transferred control of the Carter trust to Michael Grant.
I handed it to Detective Collins.
“This is forged.””
She examined the document.
“Possibly. We'll need an expert.””
Charlotte opened another cabinet.
“There's something else.””
She pulled out a folder marked:
*THIRD GENERATION — EXPECTED HEIR.*
Inside was a medical report.
Nia's name appeared at the top.
Her pregnancy had been documented weeks before Daniel attacked her.
But beneath her name was another name.
*Biological risk assessment: Rebecca Carter family line.*
I frowned.
“What is this?””
Charlotte turned pale.
“Evelyn was looking for something in the baby's DNA.””
Nia looked at her.
“Why?””
Charlotte shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Then we heard footsteps.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Coming from the corridor.
Detective Collins raised her weapon.
“Police! Identify yourself!””
A familiar voice answered.
“Put that away, Sarah.””
Evelyn appeared in the doorway.
She wasn't alone.
Michael Grant stood beside her.
And Daniel was behind them.
I stared at my brother.
He was supposed to be in custody.
Detective Collins raised her weapon.
“Daniel Price, don't move!””
Michael smiled.
“Detective, I believe you're misunderstanding the situation.””
Evelyn looked directly at Nia.
“Give me the child.””
Nia moved behind me.
“No.””
Evelyn sighed.
“Please don't make this difficult.””
I stepped forward.
“You've lost.””
She looked at me.
Then smiled.
“No, Marcus.””
She pointed toward the folder in my hand.
“Your father made the same mistake.””
I tightened my grip.
“What mistake?””
“Thinking that blood makes a family.””
She turned toward Charlotte.
“Tell him.””
Charlotte began crying.
“Tell me what?””
Evelyn smiled.
“Your baby isn't the heir.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
Michael opened a folder.
“According to the original trust documents, the heir must be a direct biological descendant of Rebecca Carter.””
I looked at Nia.
“Our child is.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“No.””
She pointed at Nia.
“Your wife isn't Rebecca's biological granddaughter.””
I looked at Charlotte.
Then at Rebecca.
Then back at Evelyn.
She smiled.
“She's mine.””
Nia went completely still.
And Evelyn delivered the final blow.
“Which means the baby you're protecting has no claim to the trust.””
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then Rebecca stepped forward.
“You're lying.””
Evelyn laughed.
“Am I?””
She removed a folded document from her handbag.
An original birth certificate.
Nia Carter.
Mother: Evelyn Carter.
Father: Unknown.
I looked at Nia.
She began shaking her head.
“No.””
Evelyn continued.
“Rebecca raised Charlotte. I raised Nia. And Marcus was raised by Thomas. We arranged everything.””
I looked at my wife.
“Baby?””
Nia was crying.
“I don't know what she's talking about.””
Evelyn smiled.
“Ask her about the hospital records.””
Then Charlotte stepped forward.
And said the words that made Evelyn's expression collapse.
“That's not the original birth certificate.””
She held up a second document.
The original.
Mother: Rebecca Carter.
Father: Unknown.
And beneath it, a handwritten note from my father.
*Nia is Rebecca's granddaughter. Protect her at all costs.*
Detective Collins immediately moved toward Evelyn.
But Michael pulled a gun.
“Everyone stay where you are!””
The room exploded into chaos.
Daniel grabbed Nia.
I lunged toward him.
Charlotte screamed.
Rebecca fell against the filing cabinet.
A gunshot echoed through the archive.
And when the smoke cleared, Evelyn was standing over Detective Collins.
The detective was bleeding.
Michael was gone.
Daniel was gone.
And Nia was no longer beside me.
I looked down.
A small piece of paper lay on the floor.
It had fallen from Evelyn's handbag.
I picked it up.
It was a medical report.
And at the bottom was a handwritten sentence.
*The child must not survive birth.*
I looked at Evelyn.
She smiled through her tears.
“You still don't understand, Marcus.””
I raised my head.
“What?””
She leaned closer.
“The baby isn't valuable because of the trust.””
She looked toward the corridor where Daniel had disappeared.
May you like
“Your father left something inside that child.””
Then the hospital lights went out.
