Chapter 7: The Second Baby Nobody Knew About
“Another baby?””
Marcus stared at his father.
Richard Blackwood nodded weakly.
“Danielle gave birth to twins.””
The room seemed to shrink around me.
Twins?
I gripped the edge of the bedside table.
“No,” I whispered.
“I would remember having two babies.””
Richard closed his eyes.
“You were unconscious for several hours after delivery. There were complications. The doctors told Marcus that one child had died.””
Marcus shook his head.
“I was there. I saw Noah. The nurse told me Danielle had lost the other baby.””
“That's what they wanted you to believe,” Richard replied.
I felt dizzy.
“Where is my other child?””
Nobody answered.
I turned toward Richard.
“Where is my baby?””
His eyes filled with tears.
“I don't know.””
I stepped backward.
“No. You can't say that and expect me to stand here.””
Marcus caught my shoulders.
“Danielle, breathe.””
I pushed his hands away.
“Five years! I've lost five years with Noah. And now you're telling me there's another child somewhere?””
Richard began crying.
“I tried to find the baby. I swear I did.””
“Who took my child?””
Richard looked toward the doorway.
“Eleanor knows.””
Marcus shook his head.
“Stop blaming my mother.””
“Your mother signed the transfer documents.””
The silence was unbearable.
Marcus's face changed.
“Dad, what are you saying?””
Richard reached for the notebook.
“Your mother believed the second child had died. Vanessa convinced her that the baby needed emergency treatment. She presented documents showing that the child had a rare medical condition.””
“And Grandma believed her?””
“She was grieving. She had just lost her husband, and she believed she was protecting her grandchildren.””
I stared at Richard.
“Did Eleanor give away my baby?””
He lowered his eyes.
“She signed the paperwork.””
A sob escaped my throat.
Marcus pulled out his phone and called his mother.
She answered immediately.
“Marcus? Where are you? Is Noah with you?””
“Mother, I need you to answer one question.””
“What is it?””
“Did Danielle give birth to twins?””
Silence.
Then Eleanor whispered, “Oh, God.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“It's true?””
“I can explain.””
“Did you sign documents transferring one of my children?””
Eleanor began crying.
“I thought the baby was dying. Vanessa told me there was no time. She said the hospital needed my authorization.””
“Where is my child?””
“I don't know.””
Marcus slammed his hand against the desk.
“You signed away my baby and you don't know where the child is?””
“I was told the baby had been transferred to a specialist facility.””
“Which facility?””
“I have the paperwork.””
“Then find it!””
The call ended.
I stood motionless.
My mind kept returning to the same question.
Was my other child alive?
Daniel, still restrained by security, suddenly laughed.
“You're all wasting your time.””
Marcus turned toward him.
“What do you know?””
Daniel adjusted his bloodstained collar.
“More than you think.””
“Where is Noah?””
Daniel shrugged.
“Ask Vanessa.””
Marcus grabbed his jacket.
“Tell me where she took him.””
Daniel smiled.
“Your fiancée has always been smarter than you give her credit for.””
One of the guards tightened his grip.
“Mr. Blackwood, the police are on their way.””
Daniel didn't seem concerned.
“Then perhaps you should ask them about the hospital's adoption records.””
I turned toward him.
“What adoption records?””
He looked at me.
“Your second child wasn't buried, Danielle.””
My knees nearly gave way.
Daniel continued.
“Someone arranged a private adoption. The paperwork was completed before you woke up.””
Marcus grabbed him.
“Who adopted my child?””
Daniel's smile widened.
“Someone who wanted a Blackwood heir without having to marry into the family.””
Before Marcus could demand more, a guard's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed immediately.
“Mr. Blackwood, we have information from the hotel.””
Marcus rushed toward him.
“Where is my son?””
“They found Noah's jacket in the underground parking garage.””
My heart stopped.
“What about Noah?””
The guard swallowed.
“There's a security camera recording. A woman took him into a black SUV.””
“Who?””
The guard hesitated.
Then he turned the phone toward Marcus.
The screen showed a woman holding Noah's hand.
She wore a beige coat and sunglasses.
But I recognized her.
So did Marcus.
It was Eleanor.
And beside her stood a little girl wearing a silver bracelet.
A bracelet identical to the one I had once tied around my newborn daughter's wrist.
Marcus stared at the screen.
“Mother…”
I leaned closer.
The little girl turned toward the camera.
She had my eyes.
My nose.
And the same tiny dimple Noah had when he smiled.
I covered my mouth.
“That's my daughter.””
Richard whispered, “No. That's not possible.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
He stared at the screen.
“Because that child…”
May you like
He swallowed.
“Was supposed to be adopted by Daniel and Vanessa.””
