Chapter 6: Two Babies, One Terrible Secret
"Mom.""
Marcus held up the two hospital wristbands.
"Tell me what happened.""
Evelyn stood in the doorway without moving.
For the first time in his life, Marcus saw his mother looking genuinely old.
Not simply tired.
Not worried.
Afraid.
"Where did you find those?""
"In Dad's locked drawer.""
Evelyn entered the study and closed the door.
"Marcus, I need you to listen carefully.""
"Then start talking.""
She looked at the two wristbands.
"Your father had a relationship with a woman named Caroline Bell.""
Marcus frowned.
"Arthur's wife?""
Evelyn nodded.
Marcus slowly lowered the wristbands.
"You're saying Dad had an affair with Arthur's wife?""
"Yes.""
"When?""
"Several years before your father died.""
Marcus paced toward the desk.
"And Jordan?""
Evelyn shook her head.
"I don't know whether Jordan is connected to that relationship.""
"Then why are there two wristbands?""
Evelyn took a deep breath.
"Because there were two babies born at St. Mary's that night.""
Marcus stared at her.
"What?""
"Laura gave birth to a boy. Caroline Bell gave birth to a boy. Both deliveries happened within hours of each other.""
Marcus felt dizzy.
"Why would their wristbands be in Dad's study?""
"Because Arthur believed one of the babies was his.""
Marcus stared at his mother.
"Wasn't he?""
Evelyn didn't answer immediately.
"Arthur suspected that Caroline's baby was not biologically his. He had learned about the relationship between Caroline and Richard.""
Marcus sat down.
"Good Lord.""
"Arthur was furious. He threatened to destroy Richard's business and expose the affair.""
"And the babies?""
Evelyn looked toward the window.
"Arthur believed that the child Caroline had given birth to might have been Richard's.""
Marcus shook his head.
"You're telling me my father had another child?""
"I'm telling you that Arthur believed he did.""
Marcus looked at the wristbands again.
"Then why did Laura's letter say Jordan was innocent?""
"Because Laura discovered that someone was trying to use the hospital records to establish a claim against the Mitchell estate.""
Marcus frowned.
"What kind of claim?""
"Arthur wanted access to Richard's private trust. He believed his son had a right to part of the family fortune.""
Marcus slowly looked up.
"And Vanessa?""
"Vanessa was connected to Arthur. I believe she was helping him locate the original records.""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"Why would Laura have been involved?""
"Because Laura discovered that the hospital records had been altered.""
Marcus stood.
"By whom?""
Evelyn looked at him.
"I don't know.""
The answer seemed to infuriate him more than anything else.
"Mom, you've known about this for years. You kept the records. You knew about Vanessa.
You knew about the money. And you let me live with her without telling me?""
Evelyn's eyes filled.
"I thought I was protecting you.""
"You let my son suffer!""
"I know.""
"You watched him pay rent!""
"I didn't know about the rent!""
"You knew she was dangerous!""
Evelyn lowered her head.
Marcus turned away.
For several seconds, the only sound in the room was the ticking of the old wall clock.
Then Evelyn spoke.
"Laura asked me to make a promise.""
Marcus turned.
"What promise?""
"That I would never reveal the truth about the babies unless Jordan's inheritance was threatened or someone tried to change his identity.""
Marcus looked at the wristbands.
"And now?""
"Now both things have happened.""
The following morning, Helen Carter arrived at the estate.
Marcus had called her at seven.
He showed her the wristbands, Laura's letter, and the anonymous messages.
Helen examined each document carefully.
"These need to be authenticated.""
"Can you arrange that?""
"Yes. But we need the original hospital records.""
Marcus looked at Evelyn.
"Patricia has copies.""
"Copies aren't enough," Helen replied.
"We need the hospital's official archive, including any amendments made to the birth registrations.""
Marcus nodded.
"Get it.""
Helen turned toward Evelyn.
"Mrs. Mitchell, do you know whether the hospital still has those records?""
"I believe so.""
"Then we need a court order if they refuse to release them.""
Marcus looked at the wristbands.
"Do you think Jordan's identity is in question?""
Helen chose her words carefully.
"I think someone wants us to believe it is.""
Marcus frowned.
"What's the difference?""
"An altered record does not automatically mean a child's identity is false. We need to establish what was changed, why it was changed, and who benefited.""
Evelyn nodded.
"That is exactly what Laura wanted.""
Helen opened another folder.
"There's something else.""
She placed a bank statement on the desk.
It showed a transfer of $250,000 from Vanessa's holding company into a trust administered by Arthur Bell's estate.
The transaction date was six weeks earlier.
Marcus stared.
"She's still sending money there?""
Helen nodded.
"Yes. And the transfer was authorized by someone using a digital signature associated with your father.""
Marcus's face hardened.
"My father has been dead for eleven years.""
"Exactly.""
Helen turned the statement around.
"Someone still has access to his old authorization credentials.""
Evelyn looked troubled.
"That shouldn't be possible.""
Marcus picked up his phone.
"Daniel needs to investigate.""
Helen nodded.
"And I recommend we bring in a forensic accountant.""
"Do it.""
Helen gathered her papers.
"One more thing, Mr. Mitchell. Vanessa has hired an attorney.""
Marcus looked up.
"When?""
"Last night.""
"Who?""
Helen slid a business card across the desk.
Marcus read the name.
*Richard Coleman.*
He recognized it immediately.
Coleman had represented Arthur Bell's estate.
Marcus looked at his mother.
"Vanessa hired Arthur's lawyer?""
Evelyn nodded slowly.
"Then she knows we're getting close.""
At noon, Vanessa returned to the estate.
This time, she didn't come alone.
A tall man in a charcoal suit walked beside her.
Marcus recognized him from photographs in old business files.
Richard Coleman.
"Marcus," the attorney said, extending his hand.
Marcus didn't take it.
"What are you doing here?""
Coleman lowered his hand.
"My client wishes to discuss the terms of her separation.""
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
"She can discuss that through her attorney.""
"Unfortunately, there are some matters that require your attention.""
"What matters?""
Coleman placed a document on the table.
"Your wife's marital property interests.""
Marcus glanced at it.
"She has a lawyer. I have a lawyer. There is nothing to discuss here.""
Coleman opened his briefcase.
"Actually, there is.""
He removed another document.
"This concerns a claim against the Mitchell family trust.""
Marcus looked at the page.
It was a formal notice of beneficial interest.
The claimant was Caroline Bell.
The supporting statement alleged that a child born to Caroline and Richard Mitchell had been denied his rightful inheritance.
Marcus stared at the document.
"Where did this come from?""
Coleman calmly adjusted his tie.
"My client has been assisting Mrs. Bell with the matter.""
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
"You knew about this.""
She lifted her chin.
"I've known about it for a long time.""
Evelyn stood.
"You're trying to steal Jordan's inheritance twice.""
Vanessa smiled.
"No, Evelyn. I'm trying to correct a historical injustice.""
Marcus looked at Coleman.
"Who is Caroline Bell?""
Coleman closed his briefcase.
"That is not something I can discuss without my client's authorization.""
Vanessa interrupted.
"Caroline is the woman who gave birth to Richard's child.""
Marcus felt his chest tighten.
"And where is that child?""
Vanessa looked toward the staircase.
Then she said something that made everyone go silent.
"He's been living in this house for fourteen years.""
Marcus stared at her.
"No.""
Vanessa smiled.
"Yes.""
"That's impossible.""
"Is it?""
She took a folded photograph from her handbag.
It showed two newborn babies lying in hospital bassinets.
One was wearing a blue wristband.
The other wore a white one.
On the back were two names.
Jordan Mitchell.
And Daniel Bell.
Marcus looked at the photograph.
Then at the wristbands in his father's study.
His mind raced.
"Which baby is Jordan?""
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
"That's what Laura was trying to hide.""
Evelyn stepped forward.
"You're lying.""
Vanessa turned toward her.
"Am I?""
Coleman placed another paper on the table.
It was a preliminary genetic testing report.
The names were partially obscured.
But the conclusion was visible.
*Biological relationship inconsistent with recorded parental information.*
Marcus felt the room tilt.
"Where did you get this?""
Vanessa looked directly at him.
"From someone who knows the truth.""
Marcus grabbed the document.
"Who?""
Vanessa leaned closer.
"Your father.""
Marcus stared at her.
"He's dead.""
Vanessa's expression changed.
"Not everything your father arranged ended when he died.""
She turned toward the door.
Then paused.
"Oh, and Marcus?""
He looked up.
"Caroline wants to meet the boy she believes belongs to her.""
Vanessa walked away with Coleman.
Marcus remained frozen.
Jordan appeared at the top of the staircase.
He had heard enough to understand that something was wrong.
"Dad?""
Marcus quickly folded the document.
"Go back to your room, son.""
"Am I still your son?""
The question shattered him.
Marcus crossed the room in three steps and pulled Jordan into his arms.
"Yes. Always.""
Jordan clung to him.
"But Vanessa said I might not be.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"Listen to me. No paper, no test, and no person on earth can change the fact that I raised you, I love you, and you're my son.""
Jordan nodded against his shoulder.
Evelyn watched them.
She looked devastated.
Then her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Her expression changed immediately.
"Marcus.""
He turned.
"What's wrong?""
Evelyn answered the call.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice came through the speaker.
Even from across the room, Marcus could hear the anger.
"Mrs. Mitchell, this is Caroline Bell. I understand Vanessa has spoken to you.""
Evelyn didn't respond.
Caroline continued.
"I want to see my son.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Which son?""
There was a pause.
Then Caroline said something that made Evelyn grip the phone.
"The one you stole from me.""
Marcus looked at Jordan.
Then at his mother.
Caroline's voice became colder.
"And if you don't bring him to me voluntarily, I'll have the court order a DNA test.""
The call ended.
Marcus stood in the center of the room, holding his son.
And for the first time, he understood the real danger.
Vanessa wasn't simply trying to steal Jordan's inheritance.
She was trying to convince the world that Jordan belonged to someone else.
But Evelyn knew something Caroline didn't.
Something Laura had hidden for fourteen years.
Something that could destroy the entire claim.
Evelyn slowly reached for the old photograph.
"Marcus," she whispered, "there is one more person we need to find.""
"Who?""
Evelyn looked at the photograph of the two babies.
"The nurse who switched the wristbands.""
May you like
And somewhere in the city, that nurse had just received a message from an unknown number.
*They know about the babies. You need to disappear before they find you.*
