Chapter 10: The Secret in the Birth Records
Sarah stood completely still.
For several seconds, she couldn’t understand the words.
They sounded impossible.
Like a sentence from someone else’s life.
“Say that again.””
Daniel looked down.
“Sarah…”
“No.””
Her voice cracked.
“Say exactly what you just said.””
Daniel swallowed.
“I don’t know if Emma is my biological daughter.””
The room went silent.
Sarah felt like the walls had moved closer.
“You don’t know?””
Daniel shook his head.
“I found out something was wrong months after she was born.””
“Months?””
Sarah’s voice rose.
“You knew something about my daughter and you said nothing?””
“I was trying to understand it.””
“You were trying to understand it?””
She stepped closer.
“I gave birth to her.””
“I know.””
“I held her when she cried.””
“I know.””
“I stayed awake every night when she was sick.””
“I know.””
“Then why was I the last person to know?””
Daniel had no answer.
And that answer hurt the most.
Sarah turned away.
Her hand covered her mouth.
Everything she remembered about Emma came rushing through her mind.
The first time she held her.
The first smile.
The first steps.
The first time Emma called her Mommy.
Nothing could change those memories.
Nothing.
But someone had been hiding something.
“Tell me everything.””
Daniel sat down slowly.
“When Emma was born, my father was still involved in my life.””
Sarah frowned.
“You told me he left before we met.””
“He did.””
“Then how?””
Daniel looked at the floor.
“Because he came to the hospital.””
Sarah froze.
“What?””
“He showed up the night Emma was born.””
“Why?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Because he knew something.””
Sarah’s stomach tightened.
“Knew what?””
Daniel looked at her.
“He knew Emma’s mother.””
The words felt wrong.
Sarah stared.
“Emma’s mother?””
He immediately corrected himself.
“You. He knew you.””
Sarah shook her head.
“That makes no sense.””
“I know.””
“Daniel, I met your father once. Before we got married.””
“I know.””
“He barely spoke to me.””
Daniel nodded.
“Because he didn’t want you to remember him.””
Sarah felt a chill.
“Why?””
Before Daniel could answer, Rachel appeared from the hallway.
She had heard enough.
“Because Victoria helped him hide it.””
Sarah turned.
“You knew?””
Rachel looked guilty.
“I suspected.””
Daniel looked at her.
“You knew about the records?””
“No.””
“Then what did you know?””
Rachel placed a folder on the table.
“This.””
Inside were copies of old documents.
Hospital paperwork.
Insurance forms.
A handwritten note.
Sarah picked it up.
The handwriting looked familiar.
Daniel saw her expression.
“What?””
Sarah handed it to him.
“This is your father’s handwriting?””
Daniel looked.
His face changed.
“Yes.””
The note contained only a few words.
*The child must never know the truth.*
Sarah felt sick.
“The truth about what?””
Nobody answered.
Then Rachel spoke.
“There’s something else.””
She pulled out another document.
A DNA test request.
Sarah’s eyes widened.
“Whose?””
Rachel looked at Daniel.
“Yours and Emma’s.””
Sarah looked at Daniel.
“You tested my daughter?””
Daniel looked ashamed.
“I never completed it.””
“Why?””
“Because I was afraid.””
Sarah laughed bitterly.
“You were afraid?””
She held up the paper.
“You were willing to question whether she was yours, but you weren’t willing to tell me?””
Daniel looked like he wanted to disappear.
“I was wrong.””
“Yes.””
Sarah’s answer was immediate.
“You were.””
Emma cried from the bedroom.
All three adults froze.
Sarah immediately walked away.
She didn’t want Emma seeing their faces.
She opened the bedroom door.
Emma was sitting up.
“Mommy?””
Sarah sat beside her.
“I’m here.””
“Are you mad at Daddy?””
Sarah looked at her daughter.
A child who had no idea how many adults had failed her.
“No.””
It was a lie.
But not for Emma.
Sarah kissed her forehead.
“Go back to sleep.””
When Emma finally closed her eyes, Sarah returned to the living room.
She looked at Daniel.
“I want the truth.””
“You deserve it.””
“Then find out.””
Daniel looked confused.
“What?””
“The DNA test.””
Silence.
Sarah’s voice became firm.
“I need to know.””
Daniel nodded slowly.
“Okay.””
But before anyone could move, Sarah’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?””
A woman’s voice responded.
“Mrs. Bennett?””
“Yes.””
“This is Victoria Hale.””
Sarah’s body stiffened.
“What do you want?””
Victoria’s voice remained calm.
“I want to prevent you from making the same mistake twice.””
Sarah frowned.
“What does that mean?””
A pause.
Then Victoria said:
“Your husband isn’t the only person who was lied to.””
Sarah looked at Daniel.
“What are you talking about?””
Victoria lowered her voice.
“The night Emma was born, someone switched more than a record.””
Sarah felt cold.
“What did they switch?””
May you like
Victoria answered:
“Your baby.””
