Chapter 8: The Other Daughter
I didn't sleep that night.
Maya eventually drifted off after the doctors gave her something to help with the discomfort.
Rebecca sat beside her while I stood near the window, staring at the hospital parking lot.
The rain had started again.
I kept thinking about a little girl named Lily.
Eight years.
Eight birthdays.
Eight Christmas mornings.
Eight years of memories that should have included another daughter.
I turned toward Claire.
She was sitting in the corner, holding a paper cup of untouched coffee.
"Where is she?""
Claire looked up.
"I told you. North Carolina.""
"Where exactly?""
"I don't know the current address.""
"That's convenient.""
"Marcus, Daniel moved her between facilities.""
"How many facilities?""
She lowered her head.
"Three, I think.""
I stared at her.
"Three?""
"He said the treatment required it.""
"What treatment?""
"I told you. I don't know everything.""
I walked closer.
"Then tell me what you do know.""
Claire put down the coffee.
"When Lily was born, Daniel said she had an inherited metabolic condition. He believed there was a way to manage it, but he needed access to specialized equipment.""
"Was that diagnosis confirmed?""
She nodded.
"Several tests showed something was wrong.""
"And Maya?""
"She didn't show the same symptoms at birth.""
I remembered Dr. Patel mentioning conflicting medical histories.
"So Daniel separated the twins, changed their records, and secretly monitored Maya?""
Claire nodded.
"That's what he told me was necessary.""
"Why did Mom agree to help?""
Claire's eyes filled again.
"Your mother knew about the affair.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"What affair?""
Claire looked at Rebecca.
Then back at me.
"Daniel was my boyfriend before you and I met.""
"I know that.""
"No, Marcus. You don't understand.""
She took a shaky breath.
"I was already pregnant when I met you.""
I stared at her.
The room seemed to grow smaller.
"What?""
She covered her mouth.
"I found out after we started dating.""
I felt Rebecca move behind me.
"Marcus," she whispered.
I raised a hand.
"Don't.""
I looked directly at Claire.
"Are you telling me Maya and Lily aren't biologically mine?""
Claire started crying.
"Daniel is their biological father.""
I stepped backward.
For eight years, I had believed I was building a family with my wife.
I had painted Maya's nursery.
I had sat through every ultrasound.
I had cried when I first held her.
And the man whose name kept appearing in the hospital documents had apparently been there from the beginning.
"Did you know before our wedding?""
Claire nodded.
"Yes.""
I turned away.
"Get out.""
"Marcus—"
"Get out of this room.""
Rebecca stepped forward.
"Claire, you should go.""
But Claire didn't move.
Instead, she reached inside her handbag and removed a photograph.
It showed two newborn girls lying side by side.
Both had tiny pink hats.
Both had the same round cheeks.
One was Maya.
The other had to be Lily.
On the back was a message.
Two sisters. One promise.
Claire handed it to me.
"Your mother took this photograph.""
I examined it.
"She knew both babies existed.""
"Yes.""
"And she helped you hide them?""
Claire nodded.
"She said she would protect Maya's future, but she wouldn't let Lily disappear forever.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"Then why didn't she tell me?""
"Because she believed Daniel would destroy our family if the truth came out.""
I almost laughed.
"Apparently, he managed to do that anyway.""
Claire reached for my arm.
I stepped away.
Just then, Rebecca's phone rang.
She checked the screen.
"Marcus, it's an unknown number.""
I took it.
"Hello?""
A familiar voice answered.
"Mr. Bennett. Daniel Reed.""
My jaw tightened.
"What do you want?""
"To prevent you from making a terrible mistake.""
"Where is my daughter?""
There was silence.
Then he replied:
"Which one?""
I gripped the phone.
"Don't play games with me.""
"Lily is safe. She's receiving care. That's more than you can say for the way Maya was treated tonight.""
"You're the one who gave her the medicine.""
"I didn't force anyone to administer anything.""
"You're going to explain everything to the authorities.""
Daniel chuckled.
"You think the authorities will understand what happened?""
"Try me.""
"Marcus, you need to stop looking at me as the villain. Your mother knew everything. She signed the original authorization.""
I glanced at the photograph.
"Why did my mother sign it?""
"Because she understood that the girls needed protection.""
"Protection from whom?""
"From a situation you know nothing about.""
"Then tell me.""
Daniel went quiet.
When he finally spoke, his voice sounded different.
"Claire hasn't told you what happened during the delivery, has she?""
I looked toward my wife.
She had gone completely pale.
"What about the delivery?""
Daniel sighed.
"One of the babies stopped breathing.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"What?""
"They believed Lily was dead.""
I looked at Claire.
She was shaking her head.
Daniel continued.
"Your mother insisted we keep trying. She refused to let the doctors stop.""
I couldn't speak.
"Eventually, Lily responded. But she needed immediate specialized care. That's why I took responsibility for her.""
"Then why hide her?""
"Because the clinic's funding was under investigation, and Claire was terrified of losing both girls.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"You're still not explaining the false records.""
"Because there are things you shouldn't discuss on an unsecured phone.""
Then he said:
"Bring Claire to the clinic. Tomorrow. Alone.""
I almost hung up.
But he added:
"There's someone there who has been asking about Maya every day.""
"Who?""
Daniel hesitated.
Then a faint child's voice came through the phone.
"Dr. Reed? Is that my sister's daddy?""
I stopped breathing.
The little voice spoke again.
"Is Maya coming home?""
The line disconnected.
I stared at the screen.
Rebecca was crying.
Claire had her hands over her mouth.
And I realized something.
Lily wasn't just alive.
May you like
She knew about Maya.
She had been waiting for her.
