Chapter 10: The Hospital Recording
I held the hospital report in my hands, but I couldn’t bring myself to open it.
Not because I was afraid of what it contained.
Because some part of me was still trying to protect Claire.
Even after everything.
Even after the lies.
Even after the secrets.
A part of me still remembered the woman who held my hand through my father’s funeral.
The woman who made me soup when I was sick.
The woman who whispered that we would build a family together.
I wanted that woman to be real.
But the paper in my hand felt heavier than any memory.
“Open it.””
Vanessa’s voice was quiet.
I looked at her.
“You knew.””
She nodded.
“Yes.””
“You knew all this time?””
Her eyes filled with guilt.
“I knew something was wrong. I didn’t know everything.””
I looked at my mother.
She looked away.
Another secret.
Another person who had chosen silence.
I opened the report.
The first page was a security record from the night Noah was born.
Patient name: Vanessa Miller.
Time of entry.
Time of exit.
Visitor information.
Then I saw Claire’s name.
Visitor: Claire Carter.
Except Claire wasn’t my wife then.
She was Claire Bennett.
Her maiden name.
I looked at Vanessa.
“She was there.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.””
I turned the page.
There was a handwritten note from a hospital employee.
*Visitor requested access to infant records without parental authorization.*
My stomach tightened.
“She tried to get Noah’s records?””
Vanessa looked down.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
No answer.
I looked at her.
“Why?””
Vanessa took a breath.
“Because she was trying to find out if the baby was really yours.””
The words hurt.
Not because they surprised me.
Because they confirmed my fear.
Claire had been investigating my life before she became part of it.
“She thought I wasn’t the father.””
Vanessa nodded.
“She was afraid.””
“Afraid of what?””
Vanessa looked at my mother.
My mother closed her eyes.
And that made my anger rise.
“Stop looking at each other.””
They both turned to me.
“I’m done watching everyone share a conversation I’m not allowed to be part of.””
Nobody spoke.
I pointed at the report.
“Tell me.””
Vanessa finally answered.
“When Noah was born, Michael was convinced he was his father.””
I nodded.
“I know.””
“But Michael had doubts.””
“Why?””
“Because he knew Vanessa had been seeing someone before him.””
My jaw tightened.
“And Claire?””
Vanessa swallowed.
“Claire found out before anyone else.””
I stared at the hospital report.
“How?””
“She saw the results of an early blood test.””
“What results?””
Vanessa looked at me.
“That Noah’s biological father was not Michael.””
The morning air felt cold.
“So she knew.””
“Yes.””
“She knew there was a possibility I had a son.””
“Yes.””
“And she still married me.””
Vanessa’s expression changed.
“She loved you.””
I almost laughed.
“Don’t defend her.””
“I’m not.””
Vanessa looked at me.
“I’m telling you the truth.””
I looked away.
The truth.
Everyone suddenly loved that word.
But nobody had used it when it mattered.
My phone rang.
I looked at the screen.
Claire.
I didn’t answer.
It rang again.
And again.
Finally, I picked up.
“What?””
Silence.
Then Claire’s voice.
“Daniel.””
I could hear her crying.
“Please don’t believe everything Vanessa says.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then tell me she’s lying.””
She didn’t answer.
“Tell me you never accessed Noah’s records.””
More silence.
My heart sank.
“Claire.””
“I did.””
The admission came softly.
But it destroyed everything.
“Why?””
“Because I needed to know.””
“Know what?””
“If he was yours.””
I laughed bitterly.
“And after you found out?””
She cried harder.
“I was going to tell you.””
“When?””
“I don’t know.””
The same answer.
Again.
I ended the call.
Vanessa watched me.
“She never told you the worst part.””
I looked at her.
“What worse part?””
Vanessa hesitated.
Then she said:
“The night Noah was born, Claire wasn’t just looking at records.””
My stomach tightened.
“What else?””
“She took something.””
I stared.
“What?””
Vanessa’s voice dropped.
“The original DNA results.””
May you like
The world went quiet.
“She stole proof that you were his father.””
