Chapter 4: The Question His Pregnant Wife Was Afraid to Ask
For several seconds, Daniel didn't move.
Vanessa stood beside the table, one hand resting protectively over her stomach, waiting for an answer that everyone in the ballroom already suspected she wouldn't get.
"Daniel," she repeated, "did you know your condition could affect our baby?""
He looked toward Patricia.
Then toward Michael.
Finally, his eyes settled on me.
It was almost amusing how quickly he searched for someone else to blame.
"Vanessa, the doctors said there was no reason to panic," he answered.
"That's not what I asked.""
"I told you everything relevant.""
"Then why did my doctor ask whether you had a history of reproductive problems?""
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Because doctors ask those questions routinely.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"She specifically asked about genetic conditions and previous fertility evaluations.""
I watched Daniel's fingers curl around the edge of the table.
He knew.
Perhaps not every possible medical consequence, but he knew enough to understand why Vanessa's doctor needed his history.
And he had concealed it anyway.
Patricia stepped forward.
"Daniel, my daughter is carrying your child. If there's something medically important, you need to tell her.""
He exhaled sharply.
"I don't have a genetic disease.""
"Then show her your medical records," I said.
His eyes snapped toward me.
"Nobody asked you.""
"Actually, Vanessa did.""
Vanessa looked at him.
"Would you show me?""
Daniel shook his head.
"This isn't the time.""
She laughed bitterly.
"You've been saying that all afternoon.""
He reached for her hand.
"Baby, listen. I love you. I don't want you getting upset over something that happened years ago.""
She pulled away.
"Then stop giving me reasons to be upset.""
I looked down at my sons.
Eli was examining a tiny decorative cupcake.
Noah was counting the gold balloons hanging from the ceiling.
I was grateful they were still too young to understand the ugliness unfolding around them.
"Mommy," Eli whispered, "can we go outside?""
"Of course.""
I helped both boys put on their jackets.
As I straightened Noah's collar, I heard Vanessa speak again.
"Daniel, did you ever have genetic testing?""
He froze.
That was the first moment I realized the situation might be more complicated than simple dishonesty.
"I had some tests," he admitted.
"What kind?""
"Routine tests.""
"Daniel!""
He lowered his voice.
"An examination showed a possible inherited issue. The specialist said it needed further investigation.""
Patricia covered her mouth.
"And you never told Vanessa?""
"I didn't think it was necessary.""
Vanessa stared at him.
"How could you decide that for me?""
He rubbed his forehead.
"I was afraid you'd leave.""
Her eyes filled.
"So you decided I should make a decision without knowing the truth?""
Daniel looked away.
I remembered that expression.
It was the same one he'd worn seven years ago when the doctor explained his infertility diagnosis.
Back then, I had mistaken his silence for pain.
Now I understood that sometimes silence was simply a place where he hid his choices.
Vanessa took a shaky breath.
"I need to speak to my doctor.""
"Fine," Daniel said quickly.
"We'll go tomorrow.""
"No. I'm calling her now.""
She reached for her phone.
Daniel caught her wrist.
"Don't make this bigger than it is.""
Patricia immediately stepped between them.
"Take your hand off my daughter.""
Daniel released her.
Michael moved closer.
"Come on, man. Give her some space.""
Daniel looked around.
He seemed increasingly aware that the people who had once admired him were no longer protecting him.
I picked up my handbag.
"Nia," Vanessa called.
I turned.
"Can you wait a minute?""
I hesitated.
My boys were becoming restless, and I had no intention of staying in a room where Daniel might start shouting.
But Vanessa's expression made me stop.
"Please," she said.
"I don't know who else I can ask.""
I nodded.
"One minute.""
She walked over, keeping a little distance from Daniel.
"Did he ever threaten you when you found out about the diagnosis?""
I considered the question.
"Not physically.""
"Then what?""
"He told me nobody would believe me if I revealed it.""
Vanessa's face tightened.
"He said that?""
"He told me people would assume I was trying to destroy his reputation because I was bitter about the divorce.""
She looked toward him.
"That sounds familiar.""
I didn't ask what she meant.
Instead, I said, "You need to focus on your health and the baby. Let the doctors explain the medical facts. Don't rely on anything Daniel tells you without seeing the records.""
She nodded.
"Thank you.""
I turned to leave.
But Daniel's voice followed me.
"You always were good at making people feel sorry for you.""
I stopped.
Slowly, I turned around.
"Daniel, I don't need anyone to feel sorry for me.""
"Then why are you still here?""
"Because your wife asked me to stay.""
His face darkened.
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Daniel, stop.""
He pointed at me.
"She came here to ruin my marriage.""
Vanessa looked at the invitation still lying on the table.
Then she picked it up.
"You invited her.""
Daniel said nothing.
"You specifically asked your assistant to bring her here so you could humiliate her.""
"It wasn't supposed to turn into this.""
Vanessa's voice trembled.
"Then what was it supposed to be?""
He had no answer.
I finally walked toward the exit with my boys.
Outside the ballroom, the hotel corridor was quieter.
The boys immediately started talking about the cake.
I smiled and promised we'd find a bakery on the way home.
My phone vibrated as we reached the elevators.
An unfamiliar number appeared.
I answered.
"Hello?""
"Ms. Bennett? This is Dr. Brooks.""
I recognized her voice immediately.
"Doctor? Is everything okay?""
"I hope I'm not interrupting, but I received a call from someone asking for a copy of your old fertility records.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who?""
There was a brief pause.
"Daniel Carter.""
I looked toward the closed ballroom doors.
"Why would he contact you?""
"He requested documentation relating to his previous diagnosis and the genetic evaluation we recommended.""
I swallowed.
"Did you send him anything?""
"No. We need appropriate authorization, and I wanted to speak with you first because the request also referenced your treatment records.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Doctor, I haven't authorized anything.""
"I understand. There's another reason I called.""
The elevator doors opened.
I stepped inside with the boys.
Dr. Brooks lowered her voice.
"Daniel mentioned that his current wife is pregnant and experiencing questions about inherited conditions.""
"Yes. She's concerned.""
"Then I strongly recommend she obtain an independent medical consultation.""
"Why?""
Another pause.
"Because his original genetic evaluation contained a finding that was never fully investigated.""
My heart began beating faster.
"What finding?""
"I'd rather discuss the actual report with the appropriate patient and his physician.""
The elevator descended.
Then Dr. Brooks added something that made my blood run cold.
"However, Nia, there's a note in his original file indicating that he was advised to disclose the finding before attempting to conceive another child.""
I closed my eyes.
Daniel hadn't simply hidden his infertility.
May you like
He had hidden something else.
And now another woman was carrying his baby.
