Chapter 5: The Photograph Taken After Her Death
Dad immediately demanded that Rachel send us the photograph.
She agreed, but asked us not to disconnect the call.
Three minutes later, his phone chimed.
He opened the message.
The photograph appeared on the screen.
I moved closer.
My mother was sitting in a hospital chair, wearing a pale blue gown. Her hair was pulled back, and her face looked exhausted.
In her arms was a newborn baby.
The photograph was slightly blurred, as if someone had taken it quickly.
Dad touched the screen.
"That's her.""
His voice cracked.
"That's my wife.""
I had seen hundreds of photographs of my mother.
Wedding pictures. Birthday pictures. Pictures of her holding me as a newborn.
But I had never seen this one.
"Who took it?"" he asked.
Rachel answered.
"We don't know. It was included in the package sent to Lily.""
"Who sent the package?""
"There was no return address.""
Dad enlarged the image.
Then he stopped.
"Wait.""
He zoomed in on the hospital wristband.
The name was partially visible.
He read it aloud.
"Baby Bennett.""
I leaned closer.
"That's my name.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"No.""
Dad looked at her.
"What?""
She stood up abruptly.
"That photograph is misleading.""
"How?""
"Look at the date. Look at the bracelet. Somebody could have changed it.""
Dad stared at her.
"You're saying someone forged the photograph?""
"I'm saying we don't know what we're looking at.""
Grandma spoke firmly.
"Vanessa, you know exactly what we're looking at.""
Vanessa turned toward the tablet.
"You have no idea what I went through.""
"Neither does Maya.""
Vanessa's expression changed.
For a moment, she seemed ready to say something.
Instead, she picked up her purse.
Dad blocked the kitchen doorway.
"You're not leaving.""
"Marcus, move.""
"Not until you explain what happened on October 16.""
She looked at him.
"I wasn't there.""
"Then why are you so afraid of that photograph?""
"Because your mother was supposed to be dead.""
The words hung in the air.
Dad went completely still.
"What did you just say?""
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Rachel gasped through the phone.
Grandma whispered, "Oh, my God.""
I stared at my stepmother.
"Was my mother alive?""
Vanessa shook her head frantically.
"I didn't mean—"
"Was she alive on October 16?""
She looked at Dad.
He was trembling.
"Answer her.""
Vanessa finally sat down.
"Your mother was declared dead on October 15. But the hospital had made a mistake in the documentation.""
"What kind of mistake?"" Dad demanded.
"They recorded the time incorrectly.""
"How incorrectly?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
Grandma's voice became sharp.
"Tell them.""
Vanessa stared at the table.
"Your mother was still alive when the hospital recorded her death.""
Dad staggered backward.
"No.""
"Marcus—"
"No. The doctor told me she died at 11:40 that morning.""
"That was the time on the certificate.""
"Stop.""
"She was transferred to another unit.""
Dad shook his head.
"You're lying.""
"I saw the records.""
I felt my stomach twist.
"Why would they tell us she was dead if she wasn't?""
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"Because she had suffered severe complications. The doctors believed she wouldn't survive. They made a decision to stop further intervention.""
Dad slammed his hand against the table.
"Who made that decision?""
Vanessa whispered, "Your mother.""
Nobody moved.
Dad stared at her.
"She was conscious?""
"Briefly.""
"Did she ask for me?""
Vanessa looked away.
"Yes.""
His face crumpled.
"Then why wasn't I there?""
"I don't know.""
"Why didn't anyone call me?""
Vanessa started crying.
"Because the hospital had already informed your family that she had died.""
Dad grabbed the back of a chair.
"Who told them to do that?""
Vanessa's lips parted.
But before she could answer, Grandma interrupted.
"Marcus, listen to me. There is a reason I kept asking about the second page.""
Dad turned toward the phone.
"What second page?""
"The original letter from your wife. The one Vanessa hid.""
Dad retrieved the paper from the counter.
He checked the folds.
There was no second page.
Only the photograph.
Grandma shook her head.
"That's not the complete letter.""
Vanessa closed her eyes.
"Please stop.""
Grandma continued.
"Your wife gave me three pages. I received two. Vanessa took the third.""
Dad turned slowly.
"You said you found this letter after my wife died.""
Vanessa nodded.
"That's what I told you.""
"Where is the third page?""
She didn't answer.
Dad walked to the drawer and removed the silverware tray.
He searched beneath it.
Then inside the drawer.
Then behind the cabinet lining.
Nothing.
"Where is it?"" he demanded.
Vanessa began shaking her head.
"I don't have it.""
Grandma leaned toward the screen.
"You're lying.""
"Why would I keep it?""
"Because that page contains the name of the person who was with your wife when she died.""
Dad looked confused.
"Who was with her?""
Grandma hesitated.
Then she said, "A person who had no reason to be in that hospital.""
Rachel interrupted.
"I think I know who it was.""
Dad looked at the phone.
"Who?""
Rachel's answer came slowly.
"Someone from my family.""
I stared at the screen.
"Your family?""
Rachel swallowed.
"My husband.""
Dad frowned.
"Your husband was there?""
"Yes. But there's something you need to understand about him.""
Her voice cracked.
"He wasn't just visiting the hospital.""
She paused.
"He was the doctor who signed the order to separate the two babies.""
Vanessa suddenly stood.
"That's enough!""
Dad turned toward her.
"Why?""
"Because if you keep digging, you're going to find out something about your first wife that you won't be able to live with.""
Dad's eyes hardened.
"Then I suppose it's time I found out.""
Rachel whispered something.
"What?"" I asked.
She repeated it.
"My husband is dead, Maya.""
I frowned.
"Then how can he explain anything?""
May you like
Rachel's voice dropped.
"Because he left behind a recording.""
