Chapter 13: The Daughter Nobody Knew About
Marcus enlarged the photograph until the image became blurry.
Elena was unmistakable.
Her face was thinner than he remembered, but her smile was the same. She was holding a newborn girl wrapped in a white blanket.
Beside her stood a tall man with dark hair.
Marcus had never seen him before.
And around the baby's wrist was a silver bracelet.
The same bracelet Elena had left for Maya.
Marcus immediately called Patricia.
She answered on the first ring.
"Marcus?""
"I received a photograph. Elena is holding a newborn baby. The date says six weeks before she died.""
Patricia went silent.
"Send it to me.""
He forwarded the photograph.
A few seconds passed.
Then Patricia spoke.
"Where did this come from?""
"An anonymous email.""
"Don't respond to it.""
"Patricia, who is that baby?""
"I don't know yet.""
Marcus stared at the photograph.
"Then find out.""
By morning, Patricia had contacted the hospital, the fertility clinic, and Elena's former obstetrician.
The photograph was genuine.
The baby had been born at a private maternity clinic six weeks before Elena died.
But the birth records were unusual.
The child had been registered under a temporary name, and the mother listed was not Elena.
Patricia explained the situation over the phone.
"The clinic received a request to protect the identity of a newborn whose biological mother was involved in a complicated medical and legal dispute.""
Marcus paced across his kitchen.
"Was the baby Elena's?""
"We're trying to establish that.""
"How could my wife have another child without me knowing?""
Patricia hesitated.
"Marcus, the medical records suggest the child may have been born through a gestational arrangement.""
He stopped walking.
"What does that mean?""
"Another woman may have carried the baby using an embryo created from genetic material connected to Elena and you.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
They had undergone fertility treatment years earlier.
Several embryos had been frozen.
After Maya's birth, Elena had told him they had decided not to use the remaining embryos.
He had assumed the clinic had destroyed them.
Apparently, that wasn't true.
"Who authorized the procedure?""
"That's what we're investigating.""
Marcus looked at the photograph again.
"If that baby is ours, where is she?""
Patricia answered quietly.
"Her current legal guardian is listed as a woman named Olivia Bennett.""
The name meant nothing to him.
But then Patricia added something else.
"Daniel Whitmore is listed as the emergency financial contact.""
Marcus slammed his hand against the counter.
"Of course he is.""
That afternoon, Marcus met Olivia at a small café outside the city.
She was in her early thirties, with brown hair tied into a loose ponytail. She carried a folder and looked nervous when Marcus approached.
"Mr. Hayes?""
"Yes.""
"I'm Olivia.""
They sat opposite each other.
Marcus placed the photograph on the table.
"Is this your daughter?""
Olivia looked at it.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Yes.""
Marcus swallowed.
"What's her name?""
"Grace.""
"How old is she?""
"Three months.""
Marcus stared at her.
"Why is she wearing Elena's bracelet?""
Olivia opened her folder.
"Because Elena gave it to her.""
Marcus felt his heart pounding.
"Did you know my wife?""
Olivia nodded.
"I worked at the maternity clinic. Elena contacted me after she learned the remaining embryos had been transferred without her permission.""
Marcus leaned forward.
"Without her permission?""
Olivia looked down.
"Daniel arranged the procedure. He claimed he had authorization from Elena's medical representative.""
"Vanessa.""
Olivia nodded.
"He told the clinic that Elena wanted another child and that the baby would be placed with a trusted family.""
Marcus shook his head.
"Elena never told me.""
"She didn't know the procedure had been completed until she was already very ill.""
Olivia took a breath.
"She came to see Grace when she was born. She held her for almost an hour.""
Marcus looked at the photograph.
"Why didn't she tell me?""
Olivia's voice trembled.
"She wanted to. But she was afraid Daniel would use the baby to gain control over the trust.""
"Why?""
"Because he believed Grace was the key to accessing the remaining embryos and the insurance arrangements.""
Marcus frowned.
"What insurance arrangements?""
Olivia removed another document.
It was a policy connected to Grace's medical care.
Elena had established a separate fund for the baby.
But the account had been frozen shortly after Elena's death.
The administrator was Daniel.
Marcus felt sick.
"Has he contacted you?""
Olivia nodded.
"Several times.""
"What did he want?""
"Custody.""
Marcus stared.
"Of Grace?""
"Yes. He claimed he was her biological father.""
Marcus looked at the photograph.
Then he understood.
Daniel hadn't simply wanted Maya's inheritance.
He had been using the family secrets to position himself as the controlling figure in both children's lives.
"Why did you agree to meet me?"" Marcus asked.
Olivia reached into her bag and produced a sealed envelope.
"Because Elena left something for you.""
Marcus recognized the handwriting.
His hands trembled as he opened it.
Marcus,
If you are reading this, Grace has been born.
I wanted to tell you myself. I wanted to see your face when you held her. I wanted Maya to meet her little sister.
But Daniel has discovered the embryos and the insurance fund. He believes he can use the children to control everything.
I have made arrangements for Grace to remain with someone who loves her. Please don't blame Olivia. She has protected our little girl.
There is something else you must know.
Daniel isn't the person who arranged the illegal embryo transfer.
It was Vanessa.
Marcus looked up.
Olivia was crying.
"Elena told me Vanessa had arranged everything. She said Vanessa wanted another child connected to the family because she believed it would give her more control over the inheritance.""
Marcus couldn't speak.
Then Olivia placed a second photograph on the table.
It showed Vanessa holding newborn Grace.
On the back was a message.
*The children will never know who arranged their birth.*
Marcus stared at it.
His wife had been trying to protect two daughters while everyone around her was plotting to control them.
He folded the letter carefully.
"Where is Grace now?""
"With me.""
"Is she safe?""
Olivia nodded.
"For now.""
Marcus looked at her.
"I want to meet my daughter.""
Olivia wiped her eyes.
"There's something else, Mr. Hayes.""
"What?""
She took out her phone.
A message appeared on the screen.
It was from Daniel.
*Bring Grace to the old Hayes property tomorrow. If Marcus wants the original will, he'll have to come alone.*
Olivia looked terrified.
"He knows we're meeting.""
Marcus stood.
"Then we're not going to that house.""
He called Patricia.
And for the first time since Elena's death, he knew exactly what he was fighting for.
May you like
Not one daughter.
Both of them.
