Chapter 6: The Child in the Hospital
Marcus couldn't feel his hands.
He stood in the middle of the penthouse, staring at the dead security screen.
“Give her to Denise.””
The words had come back with terrifying clarity.
Not a dream.
Not a false memory.
A conversation.
A hospital.
A baby crying.
Marcus pressed his fingers against his temples.
“No.””
Maya stepped toward him.
“Dad, what do you remember?””
He looked at her.
“I don't know.””
“You just said you remembered a baby.””
Marcus shook his head.
“I remember being in a hospital.””
Denise whispered, “Marcus…”
He turned toward her.
“You were there.””
She didn't answer.
“You were holding the baby.””
“I know.””
“Why?””
Denise’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because she was dying.””
Jordan stared.
“Who was dying?””
Denise looked at Tiana.
Tiana’s face had gone blank.
Marcus noticed.
“Tiana.””
She looked at him.
“Did Calvin ever show you that photograph?””
“Yes.””
“Did he tell you where it was taken?””
Tiana nodded.
“At St. Vincent’s.””
Marcus’s breath caught.
That was the hospital.
Maya looked at her father.
“What happened there?””
Marcus closed his eyes.
Fragments came back.
Rain against windows.
A hallway smelling of antiseptic.
Denise crying.
A doctor speaking quietly.
A tiny blanket.
And Rochelle.
Standing outside a hospital room.
Angry.
Terrified.
Marcus opened his eyes.
“Rochelle was there.””
Denise nodded.
“She had just given birth.””
Jordan whispered, “To Tiana?””
“No,” Marcus said.
He looked at Tiana.
“I don't know.””
Tiana’s face crumpled.
“What do you mean, you don't know?””
Marcus struggled to remember.
“The baby was mine.””
Everyone froze.
Denise covered her mouth.
Jordan stepped backward.
Maya stared at her father.
“You had a child before us?””
“No.””
Marcus shook his head.
“That's not what I mean.””
He looked at Denise.
“Tell them.””
Denise began sobbing.
“I can't.””
“You have to.””
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Of losing you.””
Marcus’s voice broke.
“Denise, what did you do?””
She sank onto the sofa.
“The baby wasn't yours.””
Marcus frowned.
“Then whose?””
Denise looked at Tiana.
“Calvin’s.””
Tiana went completely still.
Jordan whispered, “Then why did Dad say—”
“Because he believed the baby was his.””
Maya stared at Denise.
“You lied to him?””
Denise nodded.
“Why?””
“Because Calvin was going to take the baby.””
Marcus's face hardened.
“What happened to the child?””
Denise couldn't answer.
Tiana stepped closer.
“Mom.””
Denise looked up.
“Where is she?””
Denise covered her face.
“I gave her away.””
The room seemed to shrink.
Marcus whispered, “What?””
“I gave her to another family.””
“Which family?””
Denise shook her head.
“I can't remember.””
Marcus grabbed the back of a chair.
“You don't remember?””
“It was ten years ago.””
“You remember everything else.””
“I was terrified!””
Tiana screamed.
“You gave away someone's baby!””
Denise looked at her.
“I thought I was saving her.””
“Saving her from what?””
“From Calvin.””
Tiana shook her head.
“He says you stole me.””
Denise froze.
Marcus looked at Tiana.
“What?””
Tiana whispered, “That's why he came back.””
Maya slowly raised her phone.
“I think we need to check something.””
She opened an old family-record database connected to the security system.
Marcus looked confused.
“What are you doing?””
“Looking for Tiana's records.””
Denise immediately stood.
“No.””
Maya stopped.
“Why?””
“Because there are things you don't understand.””
Maya stared at her.
“Then explain them.””
Denise shook her head.
“Don't open that file.””
Maya looked at Marcus.
He nodded.
“Open it.””
Maya typed.
A record appeared.
*TIANA WILLIAMS.*
Birth date.
Hospital.
Mother.
Then father.
Maya’s eyes widened.
“Dad…”
Marcus walked toward her.
“What?””
She turned the screen around.
The father’s name wasn't Calvin.
It wasn't Marcus.
It was another name.
*MARCUS REED.*
Marcus stared.
“That’s impossible.””
Jordan stepped closer.
“What does that mean?””
Maya scrolled.
A second record appeared.
A birth certificate amendment.
Then another.
Then a sealed adoption document.
Maya’s hands began shaking.
“Someone changed the records.””
Marcus looked at Denise.
“Who?””
Denise whispered, “I did.””
Tiana staggered backward.
“You…”
“I was trying to protect you.””
“You made me think I was your daughter.””
“You were my daughter in every way that mattered.””
Tiana shook her head.
“No. You made me believe a lie.””
Marcus looked at the documents.
Then at Denise.
“You changed the records to make Tiana look like my daughter.””
Denise nodded.
“Why?””
“Because Calvin was looking for his child.””
Marcus stared at her.
“You made him believe the child was dead?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I knew you'd go after him.””
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“You should have trusted me.””
“I was afraid.””
Suddenly Maya’s phone chimed.
A new message.
Everyone looked at the screen.
Unknown number.
*YOU'RE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION.*
Maya’s fingers trembled.
Another message appeared.
*Tiana isn't the child you're looking for.*
Marcus stared at the words.
Then a third message appeared.
*YOUR REAL DAUGHTER IS STILL IN THIS HOUSE.*
Nobody moved.
Jordan looked at Maya.
Maya looked at Marcus.
Denise stopped breathing.
Tiana slowly turned toward the family photographs lining the wall.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“Who is your real daughter?””
