Chapter 8: The Woman Waiting for My Baby
Daniel arrived at our house two hours later.
He brought a copy of the document Diane had submitted to the trust administrator.
The first page contained my mother's name.
The second contained Rebecca Cole's.
The third contained a declaration that Nia had allegedly consented to a temporary family care arrangement.
I read the declaration twice.
Then I looked at Daniel.
"Where did she get Nia's signature?""
"That's what we're investigating.""
Nia leaned forward.
"That's not my signature.""
Daniel examined it.
"Have you ever signed anything resembling this?""
"No.""
He placed the document beside the guardianship agreement.
"The signatures look similar, but that doesn't establish authenticity. We'll need a handwriting examination if necessary.""
I pointed to another paragraph.
"What's this?""
Daniel adjusted his glasses.
"An acknowledgment of intended placement.""
I frowned.
"Placement where?""
He turned the page.
The proposed residence was listed as Rebecca Cole's address.
I felt my jaw tighten.
"She actually planned to send our baby to this woman?""
Daniel answered carefully.
"That's what the document appears to propose.""
Nia stood.
"I want to see her.""
I looked at her.
"Rebecca?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because I want to hear her explain why she thinks she has a right to my child.""
Daniel shook his head gently.
"I wouldn't recommend a confrontation without preparation.""
Nia looked at him.
"Then help us arrange a conversation.""
Daniel considered it.
"Let me contact her through the proper channels. If she agrees, we'll have a recorded meeting with everyone's consent.""
I nodded.
"Do that.""
While Daniel made the call, I searched Rebecca's business online.
Bright Future Family Services had a website, a registered business address, and several promotional photographs.
One photograph showed Rebecca standing beside Diane at what appeared to be a charity event.
I enlarged it.
My mother was smiling.
Rebecca had her hand on Diane's shoulder.
Behind them was a banner.
*BUILDING FAMILIES, CHANGING LIVES.*
The event had taken place seven months earlier.
I remembered that period.
Nia had just announced her pregnancy.
I clicked through the website.
There were testimonials from families who had supposedly received help with adoption and childcare arrangements.
But many of the photographs appeared to be stock images.
I forwarded everything to Daniel.
He replied:
Don't contact anyone associated with the business. I'll have it checked.
An hour later, Rebecca agreed to meet us.
The meeting was scheduled for the following afternoon at Daniel's office.
That night, Nia barely slept.
She kept asking the same question.
"What if my mother-in-law has already arranged something with the hospital?""
I reassured her, but I understood the fear.
So I called Dr. Foster.
She confirmed that Nia's medical file had been restricted and that no relative could authorize treatment or access information on her behalf without proper legal authority.
I also asked her to document the unusual calls.
She agreed.
The next afternoon, Rebecca arrived at Daniel's office wearing a pale blue suit.
She looked to be in her late thirties.
Her hair was perfectly styled, and she carried a leather folder.
Diane was not with her.
Rebecca smiled when she saw Nia.
"Hello. You must be Nia.""
Nia didn't smile.
"Why do you want my baby?""
Rebecca's smile faded.
"That's a rather aggressive way to begin.""
I pulled out a chair.
"Then give us a better reason to ask.""
She sat down.
Daniel placed the documents on the table.
"Ms. Cole, are you familiar with these agreements?""
Rebecca glanced at them.
"Yes.""
"Did you prepare them?""
"I provided general guidance.""
"Did you prepare a proposed guardianship arrangement involving the unborn child of Marcus and Nia Williams?""
Rebecca hesitated.
"I was asked to help a family member understand her options.""
"Which family member?""
"Diane.""
I leaned forward.
"Why did she want you involved?""
Rebecca folded her hands.
"She believed the child might need additional support.""
Nia's voice trembled.
"Additional support from you?""
Rebecca looked at her.
"I understand you're upset.""
"Answer the question.""
Rebecca sighed.
"I have experience working with families.""
"You're not my baby's mother.""
"Nobody is suggesting that you aren't.""
"Then why is my address listed as the proposed residence?""
Rebecca looked at Daniel.
He pointed to the document.
"Please answer.""
She took a breath.
"Diane believed a temporary placement might be necessary if complications occurred during delivery.""
I stared at her.
"And she thought you should receive our child?""
Rebecca looked uncomfortable.
"I agreed to provide a temporary home if necessary.""
Nia shook her head.
"Did anyone ask me?""
Rebecca didn't answer.
I opened another document.
"Did you receive money from my mother?""
"Not personally.""
"Did your company receive money from the trust?""
Her expression changed.
"What trust?""
Daniel placed the payment records in front of her.
Rebecca looked at them for several seconds.
Then she leaned back.
"I wasn't aware of any unauthorized transfer.""
I studied her face.
"You're the director of the company. You were listed as the recipient of a proposed $450,000 transfer.""
"I didn't request that money.""
"Then why was your company listed?""
She looked toward the window.
Daniel asked another question.
"Did you communicate with Diane about the child's birth?""
Rebecca's hands tightened around her folder.
"Yes.""
"What was discussed?""
"Contingency planning.""
Nia's voice cracked.
"What contingency?""
Rebecca finally looked at her.
"Your mother-in-law believed you might experience emotional difficulties after delivery.""
Nia stood.
"My doctor says my pregnancy is progressing normally.""
"That's good.""
"Then what makes you think I can't care for my child?""
Rebecca lowered her eyes.
"I never said you couldn't.""
"But you agreed to take my baby.""
Rebecca remained silent.
I felt my anger rising.
"Did you know the paternity report was fake?""
Her head snapped up.
"What?""
"The report my mother showed us.""
Rebecca looked genuinely surprised.
"She had a paternity report?""
Daniel watched her closely.
"You weren't aware of it?""
"No.""
I leaned forward.
"Then perhaps you can explain something else.""
I placed Camille's signed statement on the table.
"Why did you tell my mother to collect statements from relatives suggesting Nia was emotionally unstable?""
Rebecca's expression hardened.
"I didn't tell anyone to lie.""
"Did you write the petition?""
"I helped draft a proposed document.""
"Based on what evidence?""
She said nothing.
Daniel closed his folder.
"Ms. Cole, we will be requesting the complete records of your communications with Diane Williams, including financial correspondence.""
Rebecca stood.
"I don't appreciate being treated like a criminal.""
I remained seated.
"Then stop behaving like someone who has something to hide.""
She gathered her things.
Before leaving, she looked directly at Nia.
"I want you to understand something. Diane believes she's protecting the child.""
Nia stared at her.
"From what?""
Rebecca hesitated.
Then she said:
"From something your husband doesn't know about his own family.""
I stood.
"What are you talking about?""
Rebecca shook her head.
"Ask Diane about the original trust.""
"Why?""
"Because she told me your father made a promise before he died.""
"What promise?""
Rebecca reached for the door.
"He promised that if his first grandchild was a boy, the child would inherit everything.""
I stared at her.
"That's not true.""
Rebecca gave me a strange look.
"Then perhaps you should read the original document.""
She left.
Nia looked at Daniel.
"Is there something else in the trust?""
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
He opened his briefcase and removed a sealed packet.
"I received this from the independent trustee this morning.""
He placed it on the table.
The envelope was old.
Its edges had yellowed.
My father's handwriting was across the front.
*For Marcus. To be opened when your first child is born.*
My hands began to shake.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
I recognized my father's writing immediately.
The first line made my heart stop.
My son, if you're reading this, it means someone has already tried to interfere with the inheritance I left for your child.
I swallowed.
Then continued.
There is one person in our family I do not want controlling this money. I hope you never have to understand why.
I looked at Daniel.
"Who?""
He pointed toward the bottom of the letter.
My father had written a name.
Not Diane.
Not Brielle.
Not Rebecca.
It was someone I had trusted my entire adult life.
*Robert Williams had written:*
Never allow your uncle Thomas to become involved.
I looked up.
"Uncle Thomas?""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"Your father specifically named him in the trust restrictions.""
I frowned.
"My uncle died before Dad.""
Daniel turned another page.
"Marcus, according to the records, your uncle Thomas is not dead.""
The room went silent.
I stared at him.
"That's impossible. I attended his funeral when I was twenty-three.""
May you like
Daniel looked at the document.
"The funeral records are real. But the person buried under that name may not have been your uncle.""
