Chapter 12: The Second Embryo
I read the inventory report in Robert's office until I knew every line by heart.
The second embryo had never been transferred the inventory report in Robert's office until I knew every line by heart.
The second embryo had never been transferred.
It had remained in cryogenic storage under a legal hold established seven years earlier, shortly after my grandfather learned that the first embryo might have.
It had remained in cryogenic storage under a legal hold established seven years earlier, shortly after my grandfather learned that the first embryo might have been transferred without my consent.
The record contained one final note.
**Release prohibited without written authorization from Charlotte Bennett or been transferred without my consent.
The record contained one final note.
*Release prohibited without written authorization from Charlotte Bennett or a court of competent jurisdiction.*
For the first time since the gala, I felt something other than anger or a court of competent jurisdiction.**
For the first time since the gala, I felt something other than anger or grief.
Hope.
Small and fragile, but real.
"Does this mean the embryo is still viable?"" I asked.
grief.
Hope.
Small and fragile, but real.
"Does this mean the embryo is still viable?"" I asked.
Robert folded his hands.
"The inventory confirms that it was recorded as being in storage. It doesn't establish its current condition. We need the facility's present records and an independent medical assessment.""
"And if it's viable?""
"ThenRobert folded his hands.
"The inventory confirms that it was recorded as being in storage. It doesn't establish its current condition. We need the facility's present records and an independent medical assessment.""
"And if it's viable?""
"Then you would need accurate information about your legal rights, the consent requirements, and the medical options available to you.""
I you would need accurate information about your legal rights, the consent requirements, and the medical options available to you.""
I looked at the report.
For seven years, I had believed my chance to have a biological child with Everett had ended.
Now there might still be an looked at the report.
For seven years, I had believed my chance to have a biological child with Everett had ended.
Now there might still be an embryo created from my egg and his genetic material, preserved because my grandfather had suspected that someone was trying to take control embryo created from my egg and his genetic material, preserved because my grandfather had suspected that someone was trying to take control of my future.
I couldn't stop thinking about the possibility.
Not because I wanted to reconcile with Everett.
That part of my life was over.
of my future.
I couldn't stop thinking about the possibility.
Not because I wanted to reconcile with Everett.
That part of my life was over.
But because the thought of a child existing somewhere in the world, connected to me by something as fundamentalBut because the thought of a child existing somewhere in the world, connected to me by something as fundamental as genetics, had opened a door I thought had been permanently sealed.
"What about the first embryo?"" I asked.
"We need to establish exactly what happened after the transfer to Vanessa, including the reported pregnancy as genetics, had opened a door I thought had been permanently sealed.
"What about the first embryo?"" I asked.
"We need to establish exactly what happened after the transfer to Vanessa, including the reported pregnancy loss. We cannot assume the clinic's records are complete.""
I nodded.
"Then we investigate both.""
Robert reached for his phone.
"I'll contact the independent loss. We cannot assume the clinic's records are complete.""
I nodded.
"Then we investigate both.""
Robert reached for his phone.
"I'll contact the independent trustees and ask them to secure the storage records immediately.""
"Do that. And make sure Everett trustees and ask them to secure the storage records immediately.""
"Do that. And make sure Everett cannot access them.""
"I'll have counsel issue the necessary preservation notices.""
I stood to leave.
" cannot access them.""
"I'll have counsel issue the necessary preservation notices.""
I stood to leave.
"Where are you going?"" Robert asked.
"To see Dr. Rebecca Sloan.""
The address led us to a modest medical office outside Burlington, Vermont.
Rebecca Sloan was no longer practicingWhere are you going?"" Robert asked.
"To see Dr. Rebecca Sloan.""
The address led us to a modest medical office outside Burlington, Vermont.
Rebecca Sloan was no longer practicing reproductive medicine. She worked as a consultant on laboratory compliance and medical-record integrity, according to the limited information our investigator had found.
I reproductive medicine. She worked as a consultant on laboratory compliance and medical-record integrity, according to the limited information our investigator had found.
I arrived with Robert and an independent attorney.
A woman in her early sixties opened the office door.
Her hair was streaked with gray, and her expression changed the moment she saw me.
"Charlotte Bennett arrived with Robert and an independent attorney.
A woman in her early sixties opened the office door.
Her hair was streaked with gray, and her expression changed the moment she saw me.
"Charlotte Bennett?""
"Yes.""
She glanced at Robert.
Then she stepped aside.
"Come in.""
The office was quiet, with?""
"Yes.""
She glanced at Robert.
Then she stepped aside.
"Come in.""
The office was quiet, with bookshelves lining one wall and a large window overlooking a parking lot covered in autumn leaves.
Rebecca offered us coffee, but I declined.
"I bookshelves lining one wall and a large window overlooking a parking lot covered in autumn leaves.
Rebecca offered us coffee, but I declined.
"I need to know what happened to my embryos.""
She sat across from me.
"I've been expecting this conversation for years.""
"Then please don't need to know what happened to my embryos.""
She sat across from me.
"I've been expecting this conversation for years.""
"Then please don't make me drag the truth out of you.""
She looked down at her hands.
"Seven years ago, I discovered that a consent form associated make me drag the truth out of you.""
She looked down at her hands.
"Seven years ago, I discovered that a consent form associated with your treatment had been altered. The signature appeared to be yours, but the document metadata indicated that the file had been created after with your treatment had been altered. The signature appeared to be yours, but the document metadata indicated that the file had been created after the date printed on it.""
"Who altered it?""
"I couldn't establish that at the time. The request came through an administrative channel and the date printed on it.""
"Who altered it?""
"I couldn't establish that at the time. The request came through an administrative channel and included a letter from counsel claiming that you had consented to a transfer.""
"Which counsel?""
"Robert Hayes's former included a letter from counsel claiming that you had consented to a transfer.""
"Which counsel?""
"Robert Hayes's former law partner.""
Robert stiffened.
"Daniel Foster?""
Rebecca nodded.
"He represented a company connected to the Whitmore law partner.""
Robert stiffened.
"Daniel Foster?""
Rebecca nodded.
"He represented a company connected to the Whitmore family. I contacted him to request confirmation of the authorization. He told me the matter had already been reviewed and that I should follow family.
I contacted him to request confirmation of the authorization. He told me the matter had already been reviewed and that I should follow the written instructions.""
Robert took out his notebook.
"Did you speak to him directly?""
"Yes. I documented the call.""
"Do the written instructions.""
Robert took out his notebook.
"Did you speak to him directly?""
"Yes. I documented the call.""
"Do you still have that record?""
"I preserved it.""
She rose and unlocked a cabinet.
From a folder, she removed you still have that record?""
"I preserved it.""
She rose and unlocked a cabinet.
From a folder, she removed a printed email and a handwritten laboratory note.
"The first embryo was viable at the time of transfer. I refused to approve the transfer until I received the final authorization.""
"But a printed email and a handwritten laboratory note.
"The first embryo was viable at the time of transfer. I refused to approve the transfer until I received the final authorization.""
"But it happened anyway," I said.
"Yes. Another administrator processed the release using the it happened anyway," I said.
"Yes. Another administrator processed the release using the altered paperwork. I reported the incident internally.""
"What happened to my complaint?""
Rebecca's mouth tightened.
"The altered paperwork. I reported the incident internally.""
"What happened to my complaint?""
Rebecca's mouth tightened.
"The clinic's management told me the matter had been resolved. They said the receiving physician had verified the patient's clinic's management told me the matter had been resolved. They said the receiving physician had verified the patient's consent.""
"Was that true?""
"I later learned that the receiving clinic had relied on documents supplied by the Whit consent.""
"Was that true?""
"I later learned that the receiving clinic had relied on documents supplied by the Whitmore family's legal representative.""
I looked at the papers.
"Did you ever find out whether Vanessa knew?""
"No. I hadmore family's legal representative.""
I looked at the papers.
"Did you ever find out whether Vanessa knew?""
"No. I had no direct contact with her.""
"Do you know what happened to the first embryo after the transfer?""
Rebecca hesitated.
"I know what no direct contact with her.""
"Do you know what happened to the first embryo after the transfer?""
Rebecca hesitated.
"I know what the records say. They show an implantation attempt and an early pregnancy loss.""
"Can we verify that?""
"Possibly, if the records say. They show an implantation attempt and an early pregnancy loss.""
"Can we verify that?""
"Possibly, if the receiving clinic still has its original records and the relevant parties authorize access or a court orders disclosure.""
I swallowed.
"And the the receiving clinic still has its original records and the relevant parties authorize access or a court orders disclosure.""
I swallowed.
"And the second embryo?""
Rebecca's expression softened.
"Your grandfather contacted me after I reported the altered consent. He was furious. He said he had been second embryo?""
Rebecca's expression softened.
"Your grandfather contacted me after I reported the altered consent. He was furious. He said he had been assured that no transfer could occur without your written authorization.""
"Did he know about the first embryo?""
"Yes. I believe he suspected it assured that no transfer could occur without your written authorization.""
"Did he know about the first embryo?""
"Yes. I believe he suspected it had already been released.""
"Then why didn't he tell me?""
"That question is better directed at had already been released.""
"Then why didn't he tell me?""
"That question is better directed at him.""
I looked away.
She was right.
No matter how much I wanted to protect my grandfather's memory, he had him.""
I looked away.
She was right.
No matter how much I wanted to protect my grandfather's memory, he had made choices that had shaped my life without giving me the chance to make my own.
"What did he ask made choices that had shaped my life without giving me the chance to make my own.
"What did he ask you to do?""
Rebecca opened another folder.
"He asked me to preserve the second embryo and prevent any further transfer until the you to do?""
Rebecca opened another folder.
"He asked me to preserve the second embryo and prevent any further transfer until the consent issue was resolved. He provided a copy of the trust agreement and instructions from his attorneys.""
"Was he legally entitled consent issue was resolved. He provided a copy of the trust agreement and instructions from his attorneys.""
"Was he legally entitled to do that?""
"He was not the patient, so his authority was limited. The storage facility agreed to to do that?""
"He was not the patient, so his authority was limited. The storage facility agreed to maintain the legal hold while the dispute was reviewed. The hold was not intended to give him permanent control over your reproductive decisions maintain the legal hold while the dispute was reviewed. The hold was not intended to give him permanent control over your reproductive decisions.""
I nodded slowly.
"At least he understood that.""
Rebecca looked directly at me.
"He wanted to protect your right to decide.""
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I asked the question that had haunted me since the gala.
"Why would Everett do this.""
I nodded slowly.
"At least he understood that.""
Rebecca looked directly at me.
"He wanted to protect your right to decide.""
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I asked the question that had haunted me since the gala.
"Why would Everett do this?""
Rebecca's face became guarded.
"I can tell you what I witnessed. I cannot tell you what was in his mind.""
"Then tell me what you witnessed.""
She removed a final?""
Rebecca's face became guarded.
"I can tell you what I witnessed. I cannot tell you what was in his mind.""
"Then tell me what you witnessed.""
She removed a final document from the folder.
It was an internal memorandum dated six days before the first embryo was transferred.
The author was Daniel document from the folder.
It was an internal memorandum dated six days before the first embryo was transferred.
The author was Daniel Foster, the attorney Robert had mentioned.
The subject line read:
*Whitmore Succession Arrangement — Medical Documentation.*
The memorandum stated Foster, the attorney Robert had mentioned.
The subject line read:
*Whitmore Succession Arrangement — Medical Documentation.*
The memorandum stated that the existence of a biological heir could strengthen Everett's position in a dispute concerning the Bennett reserve, although it did not automatically transfer ownership or that the existence of a biological heir could strengthen Everett's position in a dispute concerning the Bennett reserve, although it did not automatically transfer ownership or control.
Below that was a handwritten note.
**Everett understands that Charlotte's consent is the only unresolved obstacle control.
Below that was a handwritten note.
*Everett understands that Charlotte's consent is the only unresolved obstacle.*
I stared at the words.
He had known that my consent mattered.
He had known he couldn't legally obtain control of my inheritance through a child without it.**
I stared at the words.
He had known that my consent mattered.
He had known he couldn't legally obtain control of my inheritance through a child without it.
And he had proceeded anyway.
Rebecca watched me carefully.
"Charlotte, there's something else you should know. Before your grandfather died, he asked.
And he had proceeded anyway.
Rebecca watched me carefully.
"Charlotte, there's something else you should know. Before your grandfather died, he asked me to make a copy of every document connected to the case. He believed the original records might disappear.""
She handed me a sealed envelope me to make a copy of every document connected to the case. He believed the original records might disappear.""
She handed me a sealed envelope.
Inside was a copy of an email from Everett to Richard Cole.
The message was dated the night before the first embryo transfer.
*.
Inside was a copy of an email from Everett to Richard Cole.
The message was dated the night before the first embryo transfer.
*Once the transfer is complete, the family will have its heir. Charlotte never needs to know the details. By the time she discoversOnce the transfer is complete, the family will have its heir.
Charlotte never needs to know the details. By the time she discovers what happened, the trust will have no reason to interfere.*
I closed my eyes.
This wasn't a desperate mistake made in a moment what happened, the trust will have no reason to interfere.*
I closed my eyes.
This wasn't a desperate mistake made in a moment of panic.
It was a plan.
And Everett had put it in writing.
Robert photographed the email and placed it in a protective folder of panic.
It was a plan.
And Everett had put it in writing.
Robert photographed the email and placed it in a protective folder.
"We'll provide this to the investigators and preserve the original evidence," he said.
Rebecca nodded.
"I'll.
"We'll provide this to the investigators and preserve the original evidence," he said.
Rebecca nodded.
"I'll cooperate fully.""
I stood to leave, but she called me back.
"Charlotte?""
I turned.
"Your cooperate fully.""
I stood to leave, but she called me back.
"Charlotte?""
I turned.
"Your grandfather left one final instruction with the storage facility. He requested that you be informed of the second embryo's existence if the original grandfather left one final instruction with the storage facility. He requested that you be informed of the second embryo's existence if the original consent dispute was ever formally reopened.""
"Why didn't anyone contact me?""
"Because the dispute consent dispute was ever formally reopened.""
"Why didn't anyone contact me?""
"Because the dispute was marked confidential, and the legal hold was never formally lifted. The facility believed it was preserving your was marked confidential, and the legal hold was never formally lifted. The facility believed it was preserving your rights by waiting for proper authorization.""
I looked at the inventory report in my hand.
Seven years of silence.
rights by waiting for proper authorization.""
I looked at the inventory report in my hand.
Seven years of silence.
Seven years of grief.
Seven years during which the people closest to me had treated my consent as an obstacle to be managed rather than a right toSeven years of grief.
Seven years during which the people closest to me had treated my consent as an obstacle to be managed rather than a right to be respected.
My phone rang.
Robert answered it.
His expression changed almost immediately.
"What do you mean Everett be respected.
My phone rang.
Robert answered it.
His expression changed almost immediately.
"What do you mean Everett has filed an emergency petition?""
He listened, then covered the microphone.
"Charlotte, he's asking a court to block the release of the original has filed an emergency petition?""
He listened, then covered the microphone.
"Charlotte, he's asking a court to block the release of the original medical records and transfer the remaining embryo into a family trust.""
My stomach tightened.
"Can he do that?""
medical records and transfer the remaining embryo into a family trust.""
My stomach tightened.
"Can he do that?""
"He can ask. Whether the court grants it is another matter.""
I took the phone from him.
"Who"He can ask. Whether the court grants it is another matter.""
I took the phone from him.
"Who is representing him?""
Robert checked the message.
"Daniel Foster.""
The same attorney who had helped process the questionable authorization.
I is representing him?""
Robert checked the message.
"Daniel Foster.""
The same attorney who had helped process the questionable authorization.
I looked at the email in Rebecca's folder.
Everett had spent seven years making sure I never knew the truth.
Now that I was close looked at the email in Rebecca's folder.
Everett had spent seven years making sure I never knew the truth.
Now that I was close to uncovering it, he was trying to take control of the one thing my grandfather had successfully protected.
The second embryo.
My final choice.
I handed to uncovering it, he was trying to take control of the one thing my grandfather had successfully protected.
The second embryo.
My final choice.
I handed the phone back to Robert.
"Tell the trustees to secure the storage records. Tell our attorneys to oppose the phone back to Robert.
"Tell the trustees to secure the storage records. Tell our attorneys to oppose the petition. And make sure the court understands that I never authorized any transfer.""
Robert nodded.
I looked out the window at the the petition. And make sure the court understands that I never authorized any transfer.""
Robert nodded.
I looked out the window at the leaves drifting across the parking lot.
For ten years, I had believed that loving Everett meant trusting him.
Now I understood that loving someone could not leaves drifting across the parking lot.
For ten years, I had believed that loving Everett meant trusting him.
Now I understood that loving someone could not mean surrendering the right to know what they had done.
I had not yet decided whether I wanted to use the embryo.
That decision mean surrendering the right to know what they had done.
I had not yet decided whether I wanted to use the embryo.
That decision belonged to me alone.
But Everett would never make it for me.
And as we prepared to leave Vermont, a message arrived from an belonged to me alone.
But Everett would never make it for me.
And as we prepared to leave Vermont, a message arrived from an unknown number.
**You have the wrong person. Everett didn't create the plan. Your grandfather did. Ask unknown number.
*You have the wrong person. Everett didn't create the plan. Your grandfather did. Ask who paid for the original laboratory arrangement.*
Beneath the message was a photograph of a bank transfer dated who paid for the original laboratory arrangement.**
Beneath the message was a photograph of a bank transfer dated twenty-three years earlier.
The sender was Arthur Bennett.
The recipient was Charles Whitmore.
And the reference line contained three twenty-three years earlier.
The sender was Arthur Bennett.
The recipient was Charles Whitmore.
And the reference line contained three words that changed everything.
May you like
*Inheritance contingency fund.* words that changed everything.
*Inheritance contingency fund.*
