Chapter 7: The Doctor
The name on the hidden label changed everything.
*CALVIN BROOKS.*
Andre stared at the bottle.
Then at Calvin.
“You told me you didn't know what was in this.””
Calvin's face tightened.
“I didn't.””
“You're lying.””
“I didn't know it had my name underneath.””
Monica stepped toward them.
“Calvin, don't.””
Andre turned.
“You knew this bottle was connected to you?””
“No.””
“Then why is your name on it?””
Calvin looked at the prescription bottle in Andre's hand.
“Because someone wanted me to take the blame.””
The door opened.
A Black male doctor in his fifties stood in the doorway wearing a white coat and blue tie.
Monica immediately stepped backward.
“Dr. Whitmore.””
The doctor's expression remained calm.
“Monica.””
Andre stared at him.
“This is the doctor?””
Dr. Whitmore looked at Andre.
“Mr. Hayes, I think we should speak privately.””
“No.””
Andre didn't blink.
“You're not taking anyone anywhere.””
The doctor glanced toward Jasmine.
“Your daughter needs rest.””
“My daughter needs the truth.””
Dr. Whitmore sighed.
“This is not the place.””
Andre raised the bottle.
“Then explain why my wife's prescription bottle has Calvin Brooks's name hidden underneath the label.””
For the first time, the doctor's composure cracked.
It lasted less than a second.
But everyone saw it.
Tasha stepped closer.
“Doctor?””
Whitmore looked at her.
“I'm sorry?””
“You seem surprised.””
“I am.””
Calvin laughed bitterly.
“You shouldn't be.””
Whitmore's eyes hardened.
“Mr. Brooks, you have no business being here.””
“And you do?””
Whitmore said nothing.
Andre moved toward him.
“You examined Jasmine six months ago.””
“I've treated many children.””
“She was one of them.””
“I don't recall.””
“Then maybe this will help.””
Andre held up the wristband.
Whitmore looked at it.
His face went pale.
Andre saw it.
“You remember now.””
Whitmore reached for the wristband.
Andre pulled it away.
“Don't touch it.””
“Mr. Hayes—”
“You told Monica Jasmine wasn't my daughter.””
The doctor stared at him.
Monica whispered, “Andre…”
“No.””
He turned to her.
“I'm done being protected from the truth.””
Jasmine watched him from the bed.
Andre lowered his voice.
“Did he tell you that?””
Monica nodded.
“Yes.””
“And you believed him?””
“I had reasons.””
“What reasons?””
Monica's eyes filled.
“Because the first test said you weren't.””
Andre went still.
“The first test.””
“Yes.””
“And the second?””
Monica looked down.
“There was no second.””
Calvin interrupted.
“There was.””
Everyone turned.
Calvin pulled a sealed envelope from his jacket.
“I kept a copy.””
Whitmore stepped forward.
“You weren't authorized to retain that.””
“I knew you would destroy it.””
Whitmore's face hardened.
“You're making serious accusations.””
Calvin opened the envelope.
Inside was a laboratory report.
Andre took it.
His eyes moved down the page.
The test result was clear.
*PATERNITY: CONSISTENT WITH BIOLOGICAL FATHER.*
Andre stopped.
He read it again.
Then again.
His breathing became uneven.
Monica covered her mouth.
“I didn't know.””
Andre looked at her.
“You knew enough to doubt me.””
“I was manipulated.””
“You believed a piece of paper over nine years of being her father.””
“I was scared.””
“You let them make me question my own child.””
Monica began crying.
“I was trying to protect you.””
“No.””
Andre's voice broke.
“You were trying to protect yourself.””
Jasmine whispered, “Dad?””
Andre turned.
She reached for him.
He immediately crossed the room and took her hand.
“I’m here.””
“Am I yours?””
Andre's eyes filled.
He crouched beside her.
“You don't need a test to answer that.””
“But…”
“You're my daughter.””
Jasmine cried harder.
Andre pressed his forehead against hers.
“No paper changes that.””
Behind them, Whitmore quietly stepped toward the door.
Tasha noticed.
“Doctor?””
He stopped.
“You aren't leaving.””
Whitmore turned.
“I have patients.””
“Not anymore,” the administrator said.
Two security officers moved toward him.
Whitmore's face hardened.
“You have no idea what you're doing.””
Andre stood.
“I think I finally do.””
Whitmore looked at Monica.
“Tell him.””
Monica froze.
Whitmore smiled faintly.
“Tell him who brought Jasmine to me.””
Andre looked at Monica.
“Who?””
Monica shook her head.
“I can't.””
Whitmore turned toward the security officers.
“You're making a mistake.””
Calvin stepped closer.
“No.””
Whitmore looked at him.
“The mistake was thinking nobody would keep records.””
Calvin pulled out his phone.
“I have everything.””
Whitmore's smile disappeared.
“What do you have?””
“Your messages.””
Silence.
Calvin lifted the phone.
“Your calls. Your payments. The dates of every test.””
Whitmore stared at him.
Andre's voice was quiet.
“Payments?””
Whitmore didn't answer.
Calvin continued.
“And one conversation with Monica.””
Monica whispered, “Stop.””
Andre looked at her.
“What conversation?””
Calvin looked at Jasmine.
Then at Andre.
“The conversation where Monica was told to choose which person she was willing to lose.””
Jasmine's eyes widened.
Andre's face tightened.
“Who gave her that choice?””
Calvin didn't answer.
Instead, his phone began ringing.
He looked at the screen.
His expression changed.
Andre noticed.
“Who is it?””
Calvin slowly raised his eyes.
“Your brother.””
Andre froze.
“My brother died three years ago.””
Calvin's face went pale.
“I know.””
The phone continued ringing.
May you like
And the caller ID still showed one name:
*Marcus Hayes.*
