Chapter 10: The Child Nobody Was Supposed to Find
“Leo may not be the only child Vanessa arranged to bring into this family.””
Adrian's words hung in the room.
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?””
He glanced toward the windows, where my uncle's silver Mercedes was parked outside.
“Before I explain, I need you to understand what happened at the clinic.””
“Then explain it.””
Adrian rubbed his face.
“When Vanessa worked at the fertility center, she had access to confidential donor records. She knew Emily had selected an embryo created using my genetic material. But she also knew there was another embryo.””
I frowned.
“Another embryo belonging to you?””
He nodded.
“Both were created during the same treatment cycle. Emily selected one. The other was supposed to remain frozen.””
I looked at Dr. Reed.
“Was it?””
The doctor lowered his eyes.
“No.””
My stomach tightened.
“Where did it go?””
Dr. Reed opened his medical bag and removed a second file.
“The second embryo was transferred to another patient.””
I stared at him.
“Without authorization?””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
He hesitated.
Adrian answered.
“A woman named Rebecca Blake.””
I looked at him.
“Your wife?””
He nodded.
“She and I were married after Emily and I separated. We wanted children, but we eventually discovered she couldn't conceive naturally.””
I felt a chill.
“Did she know about the embryo?””
Adrian shook his head.
“No. She believed it was part of a legally approved donor program.””
Dr. Reed placed a document on the table.
“Rebecca gave birth to a little girl six years ago.””
I stared.
Six years.
The same year Leo was born.
“Where is she now?””
Adrian looked at the floor.
“She died last year.””
“I'm sorry.””
He nodded.
“Her daughter was placed with a temporary guardian.””
I felt something tightening in my chest.
“Who?””
Adrian looked directly at me.
“Vanessa.””
I turned toward my wife.
She had gone completely still.
“You took another child?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“She was abandoned.””
“That's not what I asked.””
“She needed a home.””
“Did you know who her biological father was?””
Vanessa said nothing.
Adrian stepped forward.
“Her name is Sophie. She's six years old. She has my DNA, and she's the second child created from the same unauthorized embryo cycle.””
I looked at him.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I didn't know until recently.””
Dr. Reed opened another document.
“Vanessa arranged the second transfer through a separate clinic. The records were disguised as a donor arrangement.””
I stared at Vanessa.
“Where is this little girl?””
Her lips trembled.
“She's safe.””
“Where?””
“She's with someone who can take care of her.””
Adrian's voice became sharp.
“Who?””
Vanessa looked toward the door.
“Peter.””
The room went silent.
My uncle.
I turned toward the window.
He was standing beside his Mercedes, speaking on his phone.
“Why does Peter have the child?””
Vanessa looked at me.
“Because he helped me.””
I felt sick.
“How much did you pay him?””
She shook her head.
“He wasn't paid.””
Adrian laughed bitterly.
“Of course he wasn't. He was investing.””
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
“Shut up.””
Adrian stepped closer.
“You promised Rebecca that Sophie would be raised with stability. You promised you'd never let her be used as part of a family dispute.””
Vanessa looked away.
Then I understood something.
She hadn't simply wanted control of Leo's inheritance.
She had been building an entire arrangement around two children who were connected to Adrian's genetic material and Emily's original medical records.
“Why?”” I asked.
Vanessa looked at me.
For several seconds, she seemed unable to speak.
Then she said:
“Because your uncle wanted an heir.””
I frowned.
“An heir?””
“Peter never had children. He wanted control of the company, but your father left most of the family shares to you and Leo.””
I shook my head.
“Peter owns his own shares.””
“Not enough.””
She walked toward the dressing table.
“He needed a child who could eventually become the face of the family trust. Someone he could influence.””
I stared.
“So he wanted Leo?””
“He wanted both children.””
Adrian stepped forward.
“And Vanessa wanted the trust.””
Vanessa laughed.
“I wanted security.””
“You wanted millions of dollars.””
“I wanted a life where I didn't have to beg people like you for anything!””
Officer Bennett interrupted.
“Mrs. Carter, that's enough.””
He turned toward his partner.
“Contact child protective services. We need to locate the minor identified as Sophie Blake.””
Vanessa immediately protested.
“You can't take her!””
“Why not?””
“Because she's my daughter!””
Adrian's face hardened.
“She isn't.””
Vanessa began crying.
“She calls me Mommy.””
I felt a strange mixture of anger and pity.
For the first time, I wondered whether she had developed any genuine attachment to the children she had manipulated.
But whatever affection she felt couldn't erase what she had done.
Officer Bennett approached her.
“Mrs. Carter, we need to ask you to accompany us.””
Vanessa looked at me.
“Marcus, please. Don't let them take me away.””
I stared at her.
“You took my son's childhood away from him.””
She began shaking her head.
“You don't understand.””
“I understand enough.””
She leaned closer.
“Your uncle is going to destroy you. You think I'm the dangerous one? Peter has been planning this for years.””
I looked toward the window.
My uncle was no longer standing beside his car.
He was walking toward the house.
Then my phone rang.
The caller ID displayed his name.
*PETER CARTER.*
I answered.
“Hello, Uncle.””
His voice was calm.
“Marcus, we need to talk.””
“I'm listening.””
“Send the police away. We can settle this privately.””
I looked at Officer Bennett.
“That's not happening.””
Peter sighed.
“You've always been stubborn.””
“Where is Sophie?””
A pause.
Then he laughed.
“She's safe.””
“Where?””
“You don't need to know.””
I gripped the phone.
“If you've touched either child—”
“Careful, Marcus. You should be asking yourself why Emily never told you the truth.””
I looked at the recorder.
“What does that mean?””
Peter lowered his voice.
“Come outside alone. I'll explain everything.””
The call ended.
I stared at the screen.
Then I heard a small voice behind me.
“Daddy?””
Leo stood in the doorway holding Nia's hand.
His eyes were swollen from crying.
I knelt.
“What's wrong, sweetheart?””
He looked at the phone.
“Was that Uncle Peter?””
I froze.
“Yes.””
Leo swallowed.
Then he whispered:
“Daddy, Uncle Peter came to my room last night.””
My blood ran cold.
“What?””
Leo nodded.
“He told me that if I didn't say I wanted to live with Vanessa, he would take Sophie away.””
I stared at him.
“Have you met Sophie?””
Leo nodded.
“She came to the basement once.””
I couldn't breathe.
“What did she tell you?””
May you like
Leo's voice broke.
“She said she was my sister.””
