Chapter 7: The Child Who Was Never Supposed to Survive
Eleanor's words hung in the hallway.
"Daniel Mercer was never supposed to survive.""
Thomas immediately stood.
"Don't you dare put this on the children.""
Eleanor flinched.
"I didn't mean—"
"You knew what Richard was planning. You signed those papers. You watched Grace lose everything.""
Nathaniel stepped between them.
"Enough. Both of you.""
He looked at his mother.
"I want the truth. No more half-stories. No more protecting Dad's reputation.""
Eleanor lowered her eyes.
Then she handed me the sealed envelope.
"Your mother asked me to give you this if you ever discovered the truth about the three babies.""
I examined the envelope.
My name was written across it in handwriting I recognized instantly.
Grace Carter.
My fingers trembled.
"Where did you get this?""
"Your father left it with me before he disappeared.""
Thomas looked stunned.
"Richard left it with you?""
Eleanor nodded.
"He came to my house three months before his death. He was terrified. He said someone had discovered what happened at the hospital.""
Nathaniel frowned.
"My father died of a heart attack.""
"That's what the doctors reported.""
"What are you saying?""
Eleanor glanced toward the elevator.
"Your father knew his death was coming.""
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a single sheet of paper and a small photograph.
The photograph showed three newborn babies lying side by side.
Their hospital wristbands were visible.
The handwritten letter began:
My dearest Rose,
If this letter has reached you, then the secret your father and I spent our lives hiding has finally come to light.
I need you to understand something before you judge anyone.
You were not the only child I gave birth to.
You were not the only child I lost.
I continued reading.
The night you were born, there were complications. One baby needed immediate surgery. Another had a serious heart condition. The third was healthy.
Richard used the confusion to alter the hospital records.
My eyes moved down the page.
He told me one baby had died. He told me another had been placed in a private adoption. But I later discovered that the child I believed was dead had been taken somewhere else.
I looked up.
"Which child?""
Eleanor wiped her cheeks.
"Daniel.""
Thomas shook his head.
"That's not possible. Daniel was adopted by the Mercers.""
"Not immediately," Eleanor replied.
"He was taken to another hospital first.""
Nathaniel looked at the photograph.
"Why?""
Eleanor hesitated.
"Because Daniel's biological father was a man Richard wanted erased from the family history.""
Thomas slowly turned toward her.
"Who?""
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"James Mercer.""
I stared at the name.
"Daniel's adoptive father?""
"Yes.""
Nathaniel frowned.
"How could James Mercer be his biological father?""
Eleanor looked at him.
"Because James was your father's younger brother.""
Silence.
The revelation seemed to drain the air from the room.
Nathaniel stepped backward.
"My uncle?""
"Richard and James had a terrible relationship. James believed your father had stolen the family company from him. When James became involved with another woman, Richard saw an opportunity to destroy him.""
Thomas clenched his jaw.
"So Richard stole his brother's child?""
"Yes.""
Daniel's voice suddenly came through my phone.
"That's not what happened.""
Everyone turned.
I had forgotten the call was still connected.
Daniel continued.
"James and his wife knew I was adopted. They never hid that from me. But they never told me Richard had arranged the adoption.""
Nathaniel picked up the phone.
"Daniel, come upstairs. We need to talk.""
"No.""
"You're my brother.""
A bitter laugh came through the speaker.
"According to the records, you're not even Richard's son.""
Nathaniel went silent.
Daniel continued.
"Besides, I know what happened to Grace. And I know why Eleanor wants to keep me away from you.""
Eleanor approached the phone.
"Daniel, please. Let me explain.""
"You had thirty years.""
Then the call ended.
I looked at Eleanor.
"What did he mean?""
She sat down heavily.
"Daniel believes I helped Richard arrange the adoption.""
"Did you?""
She didn't answer immediately.
Then she whispered:
"Yes.""
Thomas turned away.
I felt sick.
"Why?""
Eleanor's tears fell onto her hands.
"Because Richard threatened to have all three babies taken away if I refused. He said the family would lose everything. He told me he would make sure none of you ever knew who your parents were.""
Nathaniel stared at her.
"And you let him?""
"I was terrified!""
"You were our mother!""
Eleanor began sobbing.
"I know.""
Nathaniel walked toward the window.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then I noticed something strange in the photograph.
The three babies wore hospital bracelets.
Rose Carter.
Nathaniel Callaway.
Daniel Mercer.
But beneath Daniel's bracelet, there was another label.
A second name.
*JONATHAN BELL.*
I pointed toward it.
"Who is Jonathan Bell?""
Eleanor looked at the photograph.
Her face went completely white.
"That's impossible.""
Thomas leaned closer.
"What?""
Eleanor grabbed the picture.
"Daniel wasn't the third baby.""
I felt my heart stop.
"Then who was?""
She looked at Nathaniel.
Then at me.
May you like
And whispered:
"Jonathan Bell was the third child. Daniel was only the boy Richard wanted everyone to believe was his brother.""
