Chapter 11: The Baby They Were Fighting For
I couldn’t sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same images.
Mark’s hand hitting my face.
The baby shoes disappearing into the gutter.
My mother standing alive after fifteen years of being gone.
Daniel admitting he had carried secrets.
And now this.
*The baby is the final piece.*
I sat in the guest room of Daniel’s apartment, one hand resting on my stomach.
My baby moved gently.
A tiny reminder that despite everything falling apart, there was still someone innocent depending on me.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
The words surprised me.
I didn’t know if I was apologizing to my baby or myself.
A knock came at the door.
Daniel entered.
He looked exhausted.
“Did you sleep?””
I shook my head.
“Did you catch him?””
“No.””
I looked away.
“Of course.””
Daniel sat across from me.
“Emma.””
I didn’t respond.
“I need you to understand something.””
“What?””
“Mark may not be the person you think he is.””
I looked at him.
“That’s the most confusing sentence anyone has said to me.””
Daniel sighed.
“He was involved with Richard’s business years ago.””
“I know.””
“But he also tried to stop him.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“Because Mark found out what Richard had done.””
I laughed softly.
“So he married me out of guilt?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
That was enough.
My heart sank.
“He didn’t love me.””
“I don’t know.””
I looked at him.
“You don’t know anything.””
The words hurt him.
But he accepted them.
“You’re right.””
That surprised me.
Daniel had always been confident.
Now he looked like someone carrying a lifetime of regret.
My phone rang.
Mark.
I stared at the screen.
Daniel noticed.
“Don’t answer.””
I picked up.
“Hello?””
For a few seconds, there was only silence.
Then Mark spoke.
“Are you safe?””
The question irritated me.
“Why do you care?””
“Because someone is watching you.””
“You?””
“No.””
His voice was serious.
“Emma, listen to me.””
“I listened to you for three years.””
A pause.
“I know.””
The sadness in his voice almost made me angry.
Almost.
“What do you want?””
“I want to explain.””
“Explain why you lied?””
“Yes.””
“Explain why you controlled my life?””
“Yes.””
“Explain why you investigated my baby?””
Silence.
That silence was the answer.
“Mark.””
“I was scared.””
“Of what?””
Another pause.
Then:
“That the baby wasn’t safe.””
I stood.
“What does that mean?””
“Emma, there’s something you don’t know about your pregnancy.””
My hand moved to my stomach.
“What?””
“I found something in your medical records.””
My heart raced.
“What?””
“You were given medication without your knowledge.””
The room went silent.
Daniel stood immediately.
“What did he say?””
I ignored him.
“Who gave me medication?””
Mark’s voice lowered.
“That’s why I requested the paternity test.””
I felt sick.
“You thought I was cheating?””
“No.””
The answer came instantly.
“No, Emma. That wasn’t it.””
“Then why?””
“Because I found another record.””
“What record?””
Mark breathed out.
“A prenatal test request.””
I frowned.
“I had tests done by my doctor.””
“Not that one.””
Cold spread through me.
“What are you saying?””
“I’m saying someone was trying to alter your pregnancy records.””
My knees weakened.
“Who?””
Mark whispered:
“I don’t know.””
For once, I believed him.
Because fear sounded different from manipulation.
This was real.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I thought I could handle it.””
I closed my eyes.
The same excuse.
Always.
“I could have been hurt.””
“I know.””
“You could have protected me by trusting me.””
Silence.
Then Mark said:
“I’m sorry.””
The apology was small.
Almost invisible.
But it was the first real one I had ever heard from him.
Before I could answer, Daniel grabbed the phone.
“Where are you?””
Mark didn’t respond.
“Mark!””
Finally:
“Emma cannot know this.””
My blood ran cold.
“Know what?””
The line went silent.
Then Mark said:
“The baby’s DNA matches a record that should not exist.””
Daniel froze.
“What record?””
Mark whispered:
“Your father’s archive.””
The call ended.
I looked at Daniel.
“What does that mean?””
He didn’t answer.
Because his face had already told me.
Something about my baby was connected to my father’s hidden secret.
And then my mother walked into the room holding a file.
Her hands were shaking.
“Emma.””
I turned.
“What?””
She looked at my stomach.
May you like
Then at me.
“I need to tell you something about your baby.””
