Chapter 7: The Woman Who Claimed My Daughter
“I'm the woman who gave birth to Amara.””
For several seconds, I couldn't form a sentence.
I stood in the hospital corridor, staring through the glass at my daughter while a stranger claimed to be her biological mother.
“Who are you?”” I finally demanded.
“Evelyn Hart.””
I looked toward Lila.
She was still reading to Amara, gently turning the pages of a picture book.
“That's impossible,” I whispered.
Evelyn laughed bitterly.
“Is it? You've spent five years believing a dead woman was dead. You've spent five years believing your wife was raising your daughter. How much of your life do you actually know, Daniel?””
“Where are you?””
“Not somewhere Vanessa can find me.””
“Then tell me what happened.””
Her voice softened.
“I gave birth to a little girl three days before Lila delivered Amara. Vanessa arranged everything. She told me my baby had died.””
I gripped the phone.
“Why would she do that?””
“Because she wanted your family.””
I looked through the window again.
Amara laughed at something Lila said.
That tiny sound suddenly felt like the only real thing in the world.
“Are you telling me Amara isn't my biological daughter?””
“I'm telling you that you need a DNA test.””
“Did you give birth to her?””
“I believe I did.””
“Believe?””
Evelyn sighed.
“Vanessa told me my daughter died. I never saw the body. I never received medical records. I was drugged after delivery, and when I woke up, the hospital said there had been complications.””
My stomach twisted.
“Which hospital?””
“St. Mary's Medical Center. Five years ago.””
I knew the name.
It was the hospital where Lila had supposedly been treated after her accident.
The same hospital where I had received the call announcing her death.
“Why are you calling me now?””
“Because Vanessa contacted me tonight.””
“What did she say?””
“She told me you found Lila.””
I closed my eyes.
“She knows?””
“Daniel, listen carefully. Vanessa is going to tell you that Lila stole my baby. She'll tell you that Lila arranged the entire exchange. Don't believe either of them until you see the original records.””
“Why should I believe you?””
“Because I have something that belongs to Amara.””
“What?””
“A birth bracelet.””
The call ended.
I stood motionless.
Then I heard someone behind me.
“Daniel?””
I turned.
Lila was standing in the doorway.
Her face was pale.
“Who was that?””
“Evelyn.””
Lila's expression collapsed.
“Oh, God.””
“You know she called?””
Lila nodded slowly.
“She found you?””
“She says Amara might be her biological daughter.””
Lila closed her eyes.
I felt something inside me tighten.
“Tell me the truth.””
“Daniel—”
“Was Amara born three days after Evelyn's baby?””
Lila looked toward the room.
Then she whispered, “Yes.””
I stepped backward.
“And you never told me?””
“I was trying to protect her.””
“From what?””
Lila's eyes filled.
“From Vanessa.””
I shook my head.
“Everyone keeps saying that name like it explains everything. I need facts.””
Lila sat down on the hallway bench.
“I gave birth to Amara at St. Mary's. Evelyn was admitted to the same hospital three days earlier. She was Vanessa's identical twin.””
“I know that part.””
“Evelyn had been struggling financially. Vanessa promised to help her. She arranged a private room, paid the hospital expenses, and told Evelyn she would handle everything.””
“And?””
Lila looked at me.
“After Amara was born, Vanessa told me Evelyn had died during childbirth.””
I stared at her.
“You knew Evelyn was pregnant?””
“Yes.””
“And you believed Vanessa?””
“I was recovering from surgery. I was exhausted. Vanessa was the person bringing me food, holding Amara, and telling me everything was being taken care of.””
Her voice cracked.
“Then she showed me a document saying Evelyn had died.””
“Why would that make you suspicious?””
“Because I later discovered that Evelyn's baby hadn't died at all. The hospital had recorded a transfer to another facility.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Where was the baby transferred?””
“I never found out.””
I stared at her.
“Lila, are you telling me you don't know whether Amara is yours?””
She began crying.
“I know I carried her. I know I gave birth to her. I know I loved her from the moment I heard her cry.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
She lowered her head.
“No. I don't know what Vanessa did after the deliveries.””
A nurse approached us.
“Mr. Carter?””
I turned.
“Your daughter is asking for you.””
I nodded and followed her into the room.
Amara was sitting up.
“Daddy, can Mommy stay?””
I looked at Lila.
“Yes, sweetheart.””
Amara smiled.
Then she noticed my expression.
“Are you angry?””
I sat beside her.
“No, baby.””
“Did I do something wrong?””
My throat tightened.
“Never.””
She reached for my fingers.
“Vanessa said you wouldn't love me if I wasn't really yours.””
I felt as though someone had punched me.
I pulled her gently against my chest.
“Listen to me. You are my daughter. Nothing anybody says will change that.””
“But what if the other lady is my mommy?””
I kissed her forehead.
“Then we'll find out the truth together.””
Amara nodded.
Then she whispered something that made Lila stop breathing.
“Daddy, Vanessa showed me a picture of another baby.””
“What baby?””
“A little boy.””
“When?””
“Yesterday.””
Lila stepped closer.
“What did Vanessa say about him?””
Amara looked at her.
“She said he was going to come live with us when I went away.””
I stared at my daughter.
“What do you mean, when you went away?””
Amara looked down at the blanket.
“She said I was going to stay somewhere else because the new baby needed my room.””
My blood turned cold.
My phone vibrated.
An email had arrived from an unknown sender.
There was one attachment.
A scanned document titled:
*PRIVATE ADOPTION AGREEMENT — CARTER FAMILY.*
And beneath the names of the proposed adoptive parents were two signatures.
Vanessa Carter.
Richard Hayes.
The child listed for placement was not Amara.
May you like
It was a newborn boy.
The delivery date was three days from now.
Related Stories
