Chapter 10: The Man Who Changed the DNA
I read Rebecca's message three times.
The person who ordered the switch wasn't Patricia. It was Daniel.
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
James walked into the kitchen carrying two empty glasses.
"Sarah? What's wrong?""
I handed him my phone.
He read the message, then looked at me.
"Are you sure this is accurate?""
"Rebecca says the original technician is willing to speak.""
James pulled out a chair.
"Then we need to hear what he knows.""
I called Rebecca immediately.
She answered on the second ring.
"Sarah, I'm glad you called. I've been trying to organize everything before I speak to you.""
"Just tell me. What did Daniel do?""
Rebecca exhaled.
"The technician's name is Robert Hayes. He worked in the embryology department during your treatment. He says Daniel approached him privately after receiving his fertility results.""
My stomach tightened.
"Why?""
"Daniel wanted to know whether there was a way to create embryos using genetic material from another source without informing you.""
James leaned forward.
"Did Robert agree?""
"Initially, no. But Daniel offered him money.""
I closed my eyes.
"How much?""
"Twenty-five thousand dollars.""
James muttered something under his breath.
Rebecca continued.
"Robert claims Daniel told him that you were emotionally fragile and that revealing his infertility diagnosis would destroy your marriage. He wanted the embryos created using another specimen, but he wanted you to believe they were genetically his.""
I felt something cold settle inside me.
"So he was planning to deceive me even while we were married?""
"That's what Robert says.""
I remembered the day Daniel had held my hand in the fertility clinic.
He had looked into my eyes and promised that we would face everything together.
He had squeezed my fingers while the doctor explained the treatment options.
And all the while, he had been arranging to replace his own genetic material without my knowledge.
"Why would he do that?"" I whispered.
Rebecca answered carefully.
"Robert believes Daniel wanted to become a father without admitting he couldn't produce viable sperm. He was terrified of losing his reputation.""
James shook his head.
"That's not just insecurity. That's calculated deception.""
Rebecca agreed.
"There is more. The third embryo was created using a specimen that Robert says belonged to another patient. He claims Daniel knew exactly whose specimen it was.""
My heart began racing.
"Who?""
"I don't have confirmation yet. Robert wants to meet you with the original laboratory records.""
"Arrange it.""
After the call, James wrapped his arms around me.
"You don't have to do this alone.""
I rested my forehead against his chest.
"I know.""
But I couldn't stop thinking about the woman I had been four years earlier.
The woman who believed she had failed her husband.
The woman who had apologized for her own body.
Daniel hadn't simply lied to me.
He had watched me suffer while knowing the truth.
Two days later, James accompanied me to a small conference room at a law office in Charlotte.
Rebecca was already there.
Beside her sat a thin man in his late fifties with silver hair and nervous hands.
"Sarah Mitchell?"" he asked.
I nodded.
"My name is Robert Hayes.""
He stood and offered his hand.
I shook it.
"I want to understand why you agreed to meet me.""
Robert looked down at the thick envelope in front of him.
"Because I made a terrible mistake, and I can't keep pretending it never happened.""
He opened the envelope.
Inside were laboratory reports, payment records, and several handwritten notes.
Robert pointed to a document.
"This is the original specimen assignment from your treatment cycle.""
I studied it.
There were two patient identification numbers.
One belonged to me.
The other belonged to Daniel.
Robert continued.
"Daniel's sample failed the quality assessment. The doctor recommended additional testing and discussed alternative options. But Daniel didn't want the treatment postponed.""
"So he paid you to switch the sample?""
Robert nodded.
"Yes.""
James leaned forward.
"Whose sample did he use?""
Robert hesitated.
Then he slid another document across the table.
The name was unfamiliar.
*Michael Reeves.*
I looked up.
"Patricia's husband?""
Robert nodded.
"Daniel told me Michael had given permission to use his stored genetic material. He said the family had already discussed it.""
"But Emily says Michael never authorized it.""
Robert rubbed his forehead.
"I know that now. At the time, Daniel showed me a document that appeared to contain Michael's consent.""
Rebecca interrupted.
"That document was never verified.""
Robert nodded.
"I understand that.""
I turned another page.
There was a handwritten note attached to the specimen record.
Use this sample for all three embryos. Patient must not be informed of substitution.
I looked at Robert.
"Who wrote this?""
He swallowed.
"Daniel.""
My hands began to shake.
James reached over and held them.
Then Robert pulled out one final document.
"This is the part I was most afraid to show you.""
It was a payment authorization.
The money hadn't come from Daniel.
It had come from an account belonging to Patricia Mitchell.
I looked at Robert.
"Why would Patricia pay you if Daniel arranged everything?""
Robert's answer made my blood run cold.
"Because she was the one who wanted the third embryo created.""
"Why?""
May you like
Robert looked directly at me.
"She said she needed insurance in case Daniel's marriage to you failed.""
