Chapter 13: The Nurse Who Knew the Truth
“Someone switched the babies before you woke up.””
I couldn't breathe.
The voice on the phone sounded old, frightened, and desperate.
“Who are you?”” I repeated.
“My name is Patricia Wells. I was a maternity nurse at St. Catherine's Medical Center six years ago. I delivered your children.””
Marcus moved closer.
“Put her on speaker.””
I did.
Patricia continued.
“Mrs. Blackwood, you must understand that what happened that night was not a medical mistake. It was organized.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Tell me the truth. Were my three babies alive?””
“Yes.””
“Were they all mine?””
“Yes. Three healthy babies, although the smallest needed immediate treatment.””
I started crying.
“Then why did I wake up believing I had only one?””
Patricia was silent for several seconds.
“Because somebody wanted you to believe you had lost everything.””
Marcus leaned toward the phone.
“Who switched the records?””
“I have evidence. But I need to see you in person.””
“Where are you?””
“An apartment near downtown Atlanta. I'll send you the address.””
The call ended.
Marcus immediately contacted the police.
Within minutes, two officers were assigned to accompany us.
Ethan sat beside Lily in the back of the SUV, holding her hand. Noah was explaining how he had learned to tie his shoes without help.
I watched them through the rearview mirror.
Three children.
Three beautiful children.
And someone had stolen years that we could never recover.
“Mommy?”” Ethan whispered.
I turned.
“Yes, baby?””
“Are you sad because of me?””
My heart broke.
I reached back and held his hand.
“No, sweetheart. I'm crying because I'm happy I found you.””
He smiled.
“Then I can stay with you?””
“Always.””
Marcus glanced at us.
His eyes were red.
“I promise,” he said quietly.
“All three of you are coming home.””
We reached Patricia's apartment twenty minutes later.
It was a modest building above a small grocery store.
A woman in her late sixties opened the door.
Her hair was gray, her shoulders slightly bent, and she held a thick folder against her chest.
The moment she saw me, she began crying.
“Danielle.””
I stared at her.
“Do I know you?””
She nodded.
“You held my hand while you were giving birth. You told me to make sure your babies were safe.””
I covered my mouth.
Patricia stepped aside.
“Please come in.””
The apartment was crowded with old medical books, photographs, and filing cabinets.
She placed the folder on the dining table.
“I kept copies of everything.””
Marcus opened it.
Inside were three original birth records.
One for Noah.
One for Lily.
One for Ethan.
All three listed Marcus Blackwood as the biological father.
Marcus exhaled.
“Then the DNA report was false.””
Patricia nodded.
“Someone altered the laboratory results. The original samples were destroyed, and replacement samples were submitted.””
I stared at the documents.
“Who?””
Patricia pointed to a signature.
“Dr. Samuel Whitmore.””
Marcus slammed his hand against the table.
“That man has been involved in everything.””
Patricia continued.
“After the birth, Dr. Whitmore told the family that one child had died. But all three babies were alive. He arranged separate transfers.””
“Why?”” I asked.
“Because Daniel wanted to control the inheritance.””
Marcus shook his head.
“But why would he need to separate three children?””
Patricia looked at him.
“Because your father had changed his will.””
Richard had secretly divided a substantial portion of his estate among his grandchildren.
Three equal trusts.
One for each child.
But Daniel had learned about the arrangement.
If the children were declared dead or their identities concealed, he could manipulate the inheritance.
Marcus stared at the folder.
“Where are the original trust documents?””
Patricia pulled out another envelope.
“Your father gave them to me before he disappeared.””
Inside was a letter.
Richard's handwriting.
If my grandchildren are ever separated, the person who reunites them must receive the truth.
Marcus read the final paragraph.
His expression changed.
“What is it?”” I asked.
He handed me the letter.
It contained a confession.
Richard had discovered Daniel's theft before my accident. He had confronted him, threatening to remove him from the company.
But Daniel had a secret weapon.
He knew about a child born before Marcus and I married.
A child Richard had fathered during an affair decades earlier.
I looked at Marcus.
“Your father had another child?””
Patricia nodded.
“Yes.””
Marcus looked stunned.
“Who?””
Before Patricia could answer, a knock sounded at the door.
Three hard knocks.
Then a familiar voice called from the hallway.
“Patricia? It's Samuel.””
The nurse went completely pale.
“That's impossible.””
Marcus motioned for the police officers to take positions.
The doorknob slowly turned.
Then a man's voice spoke again.
“Open the door, Patricia. I know Danielle is inside.””
Patricia grabbed my arm.
“Whatever happens, don't let him take that letter.””
The police officers moved toward the entrance.
A second later, the door burst open.
Dr. Samuel Whitmore stood outside.
He was holding a photograph.
He looked directly at me.
May you like
“Danielle,” he said calmly.
“You have no idea who your real father is.””
