Chapter 5: The Hospital Had a Record of Everything
I didn't sleep that night.
Nia eventually fell asleep on the sofa with her head resting against my shoulder. I covered her with a blanket and sat beside her, staring at the folder containing the documents my mother had brought.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same things.
The guardianship agreement.
The payment receipt.
The paternity report.
And the handwritten message Brielle had given Nia.
By six in the morning, I had made three decisions.
First, nobody in my family would have access to Nia's medical information without her explicit permission.
Second, I would have every document independently verified.
Third, I would stop trying to protect my mother's reputation.
I had spent years explaining away her behavior.
She was lonely.
She was grieving Dad.
She was struggling financially.
She didn't understand modern marriages.
Every excuse had been another opportunity for her to hurt my wife.
That morning, I was done making excuses.
At eight, Daniel arrived at our house.
He was carrying a leather briefcase and a thick folder.
Nia was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking warm tea.
"Good morning, Nia," he said gently.
"Good morning.""
Daniel placed the folder down.
"Marcus sent me the photographs. I've already started checking the information.""
I pulled out a chair.
"What have you found?""
"First, the guardianship agreement isn't an approved court order. It's a proposed document. Nobody has signed it, and it doesn't give your mother any legal authority over your child.""
I exhaled.
"Good.""
"Second, the payment receipt is questionable. The law office confirms receiving a consultation payment, but they haven't verified the source of the funds.""
"Did my mother hire them?""
"They're checking their records. However, the attorney who supposedly reviewed the agreement says he doesn't remember discussing a guardianship arrangement involving an unborn child.""
Nia looked up.
"So someone may have used his name?""
"Possibly," Daniel answered.
"We're not making accusations until the records are verified.""
I nodded.
"What about the DNA report?""
Daniel opened another folder.
"That's where things get more complicated.""
He placed a printed email on the table.
"The laboratory listed on the report has confirmed that its logo and formatting were copied from an older document. They have no record of testing Marcus Williams or an unborn child under Nia's name.""
I stared at him.
"So the report is fake?""
"Based on what they've confirmed, yes. They did not issue it.""
Nia covered her mouth.
I reached for her hand.
Daniel continued.
"Someone created a document designed to look like a laboratory report.""
"Who?""
"We don't know yet.""
I looked at the email.
"Can you trace the sender?""
"The laboratory has agreed to preserve the information they received. We'll need to establish who submitted the document and how your mother obtained it.""
Nia suddenly spoke.
"Can we contact my doctor?""
Daniel nodded.
"Absolutely. You should do that directly.""
I picked up my phone.
Nia asked me to call the clinic, but she wanted to speak to the doctor herself.
I respected that.
A few minutes later, Dr. Elaine Foster joined us by video call.
She had been Nia's obstetrician throughout the pregnancy.
"Good morning, Nia," she said.
"How are you feeling?""
"Honestly, not very good.""
"I'm sorry to hear that. Is everything okay with the baby?""
Nia hesitated.
"Doctor, did anyone from my husband's family contact your office?""
Dr. Foster's expression changed.
"Yes. Someone did.""
My heart began pounding.
"Who?"" I asked.
Dr. Foster looked at Nia.
"Before I answer, I want to clarify that we did not disclose your medical records. The caller requested information but couldn't establish authorization.""
Nia's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"What did they ask?""
"They asked whether your pregnancy had any complications, whether the baby had been tested, and whether you had discussed paternity concerns with your physician.""
I looked at Daniel.
He was already taking notes.
"Did they identify themselves?"" I asked.
Dr. Foster nodded.
"The caller said she was your wife's sister-in-law.""
Brielle.
"Did she say her name?""
"Yes. Brielle Williams.""
Nia closed her eyes.
Dr. Foster continued.
"She also asked whether your wife had been referred for additional testing.""
"What did you tell her?"" I asked.
"Nothing. We explained that we couldn't discuss a patient's medical information without proper authorization.""
I felt relieved.
Then the doctor added something that made me sit straighter.
"However, there was another call.""
I looked at her.
"Another call?""
"Yes. Approximately ten days later.""
"From whom?""
"The person identified herself as Diane Williams.""
My mother.
"What did she want?""
Dr. Foster glanced at her notes.
"She claimed there was a family emergency and asked whether the hospital had a record of a previous pregnancy loss involving Nia.""
Nia looked confused.
"Previous pregnancy loss?""
I turned toward my wife.
"Have you ever told my mother anything like that?""
Nia shook her head.
"No.""
Dr. Foster continued.
"She also asked whether a patient could be classified as medically unfit to care for a newborn if the mother experienced complications during delivery.""
Daniel stopped writing.
"Did she request a formal medical opinion?""
"She asked whether we could prepare a statement confirming that Nia might need someone else to make decisions for the baby.""
I felt my blood pressure rise.
"And what did you say?""
"I told her that we do not prepare speculative medical statements for family members. Any decisions regarding the baby would follow appropriate medical and legal procedures.""
Nia's eyes filled.
"She was trying to make me look incapable.""
Dr. Foster nodded sympathetically.
"I can't determine her motivation, but those questions were unusual.""
After the call ended, Daniel remained quiet for a moment.
Then he looked at me.
"Marcus, I recommend that Nia's medical information remain restricted to the people she authorizes. We should also document these contacts.""
"Do it.""
Nia touched the table.
"Can I ask something?""
"Of course," Daniel replied.
"If someone wanted to take my baby away, could they use my medical records against me?""
Daniel answered carefully.
"Not simply because they dislike you or believe they're better suited to raise a child. Any legitimate guardianship decision would require proper legal grounds and procedures. A relative cannot simply declare you unfit.""
Nia nodded, but I could see she was still frightened.
After Daniel left, I walked her to the bedroom.
She sat on the edge of the bed.
"Marcus, I need to tell you something.""
I sat beside her.
"Tell me.""
"Your mother wasn't always like this.""
"I know.""
"No. I mean before we got married, she was actually kind to me.""
I listened.
"She called me every week. She asked about my work. She even helped me choose my wedding dress.""
I remembered.
My mother had been delighted when I first introduced Nia.
"Something changed after the wedding," Nia continued.
"At first, it was little comments. She said I was taking too much of your time. Then she complained that you spent too much money on our house.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because you always said she was adjusting.""
That sentence hurt.
She continued.
"Then, when I got pregnant, she started asking strange questions. How much money we had saved. Whether I planned to return to work. Whether your company had life insurance.""
I stared at her.
"Life insurance?""
Nia nodded.
"She wanted to know who would receive the money if something happened to you.""
I stood.
"What?""
"She said she was only curious.""
I paced toward the window.
My father had left my mother financially secure. I had continued supporting her, paying for repairs, medical expenses, and even Brielle's rent during difficult periods.
Why would she need to know about my life insurance?
I turned back.
"Did you tell her anything?""
"No.""
I sat down again.
"Good.""
Nia looked at me.
"Marcus, I think there's something else you should know.""
"What?""
She reached for her phone.
"I saved a voice message from your mother.""
I frowned.
"When?""
"Two weeks ago. She sent it after I refused to sign the paperwork.""
Nia pressed play.
My mother's voice filled the bedroom.
"Nia, I don't want this to become ugly. You need to understand that Marcus has responsibilities beyond you. If you keep making things difficult, the family will have to protect what belongs to us. I hope you're sensible enough to cooperate before the baby arrives.""
The message ended.
I stared at the phone.
Then I looked at my wife.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?""
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of my mother?""
Nia nodded.
I took her hand.
"You're not dealing with her alone anymore.""
My phone rang.
Daniel's name appeared.
I answered immediately.
"Daniel?""
"Marcus, I need you to listen carefully.""
"What happened?""
"We checked the law office's records. Your mother did pay for a consultation, but there's a problem with the account information.""
"What problem?""
"The account used to pay the fee is connected to an old financial arrangement in your father's estate.""
I frowned.
"What arrangement?""
Daniel paused.
"The same trust your mother mentioned yesterday.""
My stomach tightened.
"What's wrong with it?""
"According to the records, your mother isn't the beneficiary.""
"Who is?""
Daniel took a breath.
"You are.""
I went completely still.
"That's impossible.""
"It gets worse, Marcus. The trust contains a condition that hasn't been fulfilled.""
"What condition?""
Daniel's voice lowered.
"Your father included a provision that becomes active when you have your first child.""
I looked at Nia.
She was watching me.
"What does it say?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Your father left instructions that the original trust documents must be presented to you before your child's birth.""
I felt a chill.
"Why?""
"Because the trust was created specifically to protect your child's inheritance.""
I swallowed.
"How much?""
Daniel gave me a figure.
I sat down.
It was more money than I had ever imagined.
But that wasn't what frightened me.
It was the next sentence.
"Marcus, the records indicate that someone has already attempted to transfer money out of that trust.""
I gripped the phone.
"Who?""
May you like
Daniel answered.
"Your mother.""
