Chapter 7: The Name on the Certificate
“Who is your real daughter?””
Tiana’s question hung in the penthouse.
Marcus looked at Maya.
Maya looked back at him.
Jordan slowly shook his head.
“No.””
Denise whispered, “It isn't what you think.””
Marcus turned toward her.
“Then tell me what it is.””
Denise’s eyes moved toward Maya.
Marcus noticed.
His stomach dropped.
“Maya?””
She took a step backward.
“Why are you looking at me like that?””
Marcus stared at her face.
Curly hair.
Brown eyes.
The small scar above her eyebrow.
A childhood memory surfaced.
Maya at six years old, asleep against his chest after a fever.
Maya at ten, running through the house with a missing front tooth.
Maya at seventeen, telling him she wanted to leave home for college.
His daughter.
His blood.
It had never occurred to him to question it.
He turned to Denise.
“You told me Maya was born at St. Vincent’s.””
Denise nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
“And you told me Rochelle had already left the hospital before Maya was born.””
Denise said nothing.
Maya’s face went pale.
“Mom?””
Denise whispered, “I lied.””
Maya stopped breathing.
Marcus stepped closer.
“What are you saying?””
Denise wiped her cheeks.
“The baby in that hospital room wasn't Tiana.””
Marcus looked at Maya.
“It was you.””
Maya’s phone slipped from her hand.
It struck the marble floor.
“No.””
Denise nodded.
“Yes.””
Maya backed away.
“You're saying I'm Rochelle’s daughter?””
“Yes.””
Jordan stared at Maya.
“Then why did you call me your brother?””
Maya looked at him, devastated.
“Because I thought I was.””
Marcus turned toward Denise.
“And you knew?””
“Yes.””
“For twenty-two years?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Denise’s voice broke.
“Because Rochelle asked me to.””
Marcus froze.
“What?””
“Rochelle knew Calvin was dangerous. She knew he would use the baby to control her. She asked me to take you away from that life.””
Marcus shook his head.
“You’re telling me Rochelle gave you our daughter?””
“No.””
Denise looked directly at him.
“She gave me her daughter.””
The distinction hit like a blow.
Marcus stepped backward.
“I don't understand.””
Denise swallowed.
“Rochelle was dying after giving birth. She knew she might not survive. She made me promise that if something happened, I would protect her.””
Maya whispered, “What happened to her?””
“She disappeared.””
“Where?””
“I don't know.””
Maya’s eyes filled with tears.
“You raised me.””
“Yes.””
“But you knew I wasn't yours.””
“I loved you.””
“That isn't an answer.””
Denise broke down.
“I know.””
Marcus looked at Maya.
“I didn't know.””
She nodded.
“I believe you.””
He stepped toward her.
Maya raised a hand.
“Don't.””
Marcus stopped.
“I just need a minute.””
He nodded.
Then Jordan noticed something on the floor.
“Dad.””
Marcus turned.
Jordan picked up Maya’s phone.
“The messages.””
“What about them?””
Jordan held up the screen.
“The sender knew all this before we did.””
Maya took the phone.
Another message appeared.
*LOOK UNDER THE FLOORBOARD IN THE STUDY.*
Marcus’s expression changed.
“The study?””
Jordan nodded.
“We should go.””
They moved through the hallway.
The study door opened with a soft click.
Marcus switched on the lamp.
Books lined the walls.
A desk stood beneath the windows.
Everything looked untouched.
Jordan walked toward the center rug.
“Which floorboard?””
Maya checked the message.
“Third row. Near the desk.””
Marcus pulled back the rug.
One wooden plank was slightly raised.
He pried it up.
Beneath it was a small metal box.
No lock.
Inside were three items.
A hospital bracelet.
An old photograph.
And a cassette tape.
Marcus picked up the photograph.
His hands began shaking.
Rochelle was holding a newborn baby.
Beside her stood Marcus.
Behind them stood Denise.
On the back, handwritten:
*St. Vincent’s — October 14.*
Maya looked at the baby.
“That's me.””
Marcus nodded.
Then Jordan picked up the hospital bracelet.
He read the name.
His face changed.
“Dad…”
Marcus looked.
The bracelet did not say Maya.
It said:
*BABY GIRL REED.*
Maya stared at it.
“Reed?””
Marcus looked confused.
“My last name.””
Jordan shook his head.
“Not your first name.””
He turned the bracelet over.
There was another word engraved on the back.
*ROCHELLE.*
A sound came from the doorway.
Everyone turned.
Denise was standing there.
She looked terrified.
“Put that back.””
Marcus slowly faced her.
“Why?””
“Because if Calvin knows you found that box…”
She stopped.
Maya looked at her.
“What happens?””
Denise’s voice trembled.
“He'll come for you.””
A man's voice answered from somewhere behind them.
May you like
“He already did.””
The study door slammed shut.
