Chapter 7: The Man Who Visited Both Babies
The letter M had been scratched into the hospital visitor log so violently that the paper had nearly torn.
I stared at it until the room seemed to tilt.
My husband, Marcus Brooks, had been dead for eight years. Yet every new document suggested that the night he died had been connected to something far more complicated than the car accident described in the police report.
"Who was the unknown visitor?"" I asked.
My mother sat motionless across from me.
"I don't know.""
"Was it someone from the hospital?""
"I don't know, Naomi.""
"Was it someone from Marcus's family?""
Her eyes flickered toward the photograph of the two babies.
That tiny movement told me more than her words had.
"Mom.""
She rubbed her palms together.
"Your husband's brother used to visit the hospital frequently. He was involved in the family business, and Evelyn trusted him with everything.""
"Marcus didn't have a brother.""
"He had a half brother.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
"His name was Michael. They shared a father. Marcus rarely spoke about him because they hadn't been close for years.""
I gripped the visitor log.
"Why have I never heard this name?""
"Because Marcus asked me not to bring him up.""
"Why?""
My mother looked down.
"Michael had been accused of stealing money from the family business. Marcus believed he had forged documents and used their father's illness to take control of several accounts. They argued shortly before your wedding.""
I remembered Marcus coming home late one night, his jaw tight, his phone clutched in his hand.
When I asked what was wrong, he had kissed my forehead and said, "Family trouble. Nothing you need to carry.""
I had never pushed him.
Now I wished I had.
Daniel Price turned the visitor log toward himself.
"Do you have any photographs of Michael?""
My mother shook her head.
"Not with me.""
"Then we need to establish whether the hospital retained visitor records, security logs, or other documentation from that period.""
He began making notes.
I pulled out my phone and called the police department that had handled Marcus's accident. I explained that I had obtained documents suggesting his hospital visit might be relevant to an unresolved identity dispute involving two newborns.
The officer who answered listened carefully.
"Mrs. Brooks, I can't reopen a case based on suspicion alone," he said.
"But you can submit the documents for review. Don't alter the originals, and don't attempt to investigate anyone yourself.""
"I understand.""
"Do you have reason to believe your husband was harmed?""
I looked at the crossed-out name.
"I have reason to believe someone has spent eight years making sure I didn't ask the right questions.""
He gave me an incident reference number and explained how to submit the material.
When I ended the call, my mother was crying silently.
"Why didn't you tell me Marcus had a half brother?""
"Because I promised him I wouldn't.""
"He is dead, Mom.""
"I know!""
She struck the table with her palm.
The sudden sound made all three of us jump.
Then she lowered her hand, staring at the red mark left by the impact.
"I thought I was keeping my promise. I thought I was protecting you from a family that could destroy itself over money and pride. And then the hospital records appeared, and Evelyn told me to stay quiet.""
"What did she threaten you with?""
My mother shook her head.
"She didn't threaten me. She reminded me that you were alone, that Marcus was gone, and that you had a newborn to raise. She said the hospital might question your ability to care for him if the records became a scandal.""
I felt cold all over.
"So she used my grief.""
"Yes.""
"And you let her.""
My mother bowed her head.
"Yes.""
For once, she offered no excuse.
Daniel gathered the documents and placed them in a protective folder.
"We should stop here until the hospital confirms whether the archive can be accessed lawfully.""
I looked at the brass key.
"How long?""
"I can't say.""
I couldn't accept another indefinite promise.
"I've waited eight years.""
"And we don't want to compromise evidence by rushing into a restricted area.""
He was right, and I hated him for it.
I agreed to let him contact the hospital's records department and arrange an authorized search.
Before we left, I asked him one more question.
"Did Evelyn leave anything about the person whose name begins with M?""
Daniel hesitated.
"She mentioned Michael in a separate letter, but I have not been authorized to disclose its contents until the related records are reviewed.""
"Does it say he was involved?""
"I cannot tell you that.""
I stood.
"Then find out.""
Outside, the afternoon sunlight fell across the sidewalk, bright and indifferent. I called Denise, who confirmed that Eli and Jayden were safe and that a social worker was helping establish Jayden's immediate needs.
When I arrived, Eli ran toward me.
"Mom!""
I knelt and caught him.
He held on tightly.
"Did you find out if he's my brother?""
I looked over his shoulder.
Jayden stood beside Denise, clutching the faded blanket.
"I found out that people made decisions they shouldn't have made," I said.
"But I don't have the final answer yet.""
Eli frowned.
"That's not fair.""
"No," I whispered.
"It isn't.""
Jayden approached us slowly.
"Did your mother tell you who my mom is?""
I swallowed.
"Not yet.""
He looked down at the blanket.
"Grandma said grown-ups would try to make me wait forever.""
I gently touched his shoulder.
"I'm not going to ask you to trust me just because I say I care. I'll have to show you.""
He studied my face.
Then he nodded once.
That evening, Denise helped coordinate a safe, supervised meeting so the boys could spend time together while the family questions were investigated.
Eli brought a deck of cards.
Jayden had never played the game before, so Eli explained the rules with exaggerated seriousness.
"You have to keep your cards hidden," Eli said.
"Otherwise, everybody knows what you're doing.""
Jayden examined his hand.
"Like lying?""
Eli paused.
"Not exactly.""
"Because adults keep hiding things.""
Eli looked at me.
I had no defense.
Later, when Jayden went to wash his hands, Eli sat beside me.
"Mom, if he turns out to be my brother, will he live with us?""
I took a slow breath.
"We'll listen to the professionals, find out what he needs, and make sure every decision is safe for both of you.""
"That's not a yes.""
"It's the honest answer I have.""
He stared at the cards.
"I want him to have a home.""
My throat tightened.
"So do I.""
A knock sounded at the door.
Daniel stood outside, holding his phone and a newly printed document.
"The hospital has located a surviving archive index," he said.
"The records room itself is restricted, but the index identifies the original bracelet log as an item that was never officially checked back in.""
I stood immediately.
"Can we access it?""
"Not tonight. The hospital has agreed to an authorized review tomorrow morning, with compliance personnel present.""
He looked at me carefully.
"There's something else. The archive index identifies the person who last signed for the log.""
He turned the paper toward me.
The signature was clear.
*Michael Brooks.*
Underneath it was the date.
October 16, eight years ago.
Two days after the boys were born.
May you like
And beside his signature, someone had written a final instruction.
*DO NOT RETURN TO MATERNITY RECORDS.*
