Chapter 2: The Woman Holding My Medical Records
The first thing I noticed about the Whitmore Estate was that Daniel had changed almost nothing.
The marble floor was still the same pale gray I had selected seven years earlier.
The staircase still curved toward the upstairs landing.
Even the enormous crystal chandelier above the entrance was the one I had spent three months convincing Daniel to purchase.
But the house felt different.
Perhaps because it was filled with people celebrating a life I had once imagined having.
A long table held miniature cupcakes, blue macarons, and silver trays of food. Gifts were stacked beneath a balloon arch. Someone had placed a wooden sign near the fireplace.
WELCOME, LITTLE WHITMORE.
I stared at it for a moment.
Then Daniel appeared beside me.
“Beautiful, isn't it?””
I turned.
“What?””
“The decorations.””
“They are.””
He smiled.
“Vanessa has excellent taste.””
I almost laughed.
I had designed the entire room.
Daniel knew that.
He also knew that I knew.
“I'm sure she does,” I replied.
He took a champagne glass from a passing server.
“Would you like something?””
“Water.””
“Still don't drink?””
“I never did.””
“Right.””
He looked around, seemingly pleased with himself.
“Things have worked out rather well, haven't they?””
I looked at him.
“Have they?””
He lowered his voice.
“Claire, I know the invitation upset you.””
“That's an interesting way to describe it.””
“I thought you might appreciate seeing that I finally got the family I wanted.””
I stared at him.
“You mean the family you said I couldn't give you?””
His expression barely changed.
“Don't twist my words.””
“I don't have to. You wrote them down.””
He took a sip.
“Life moves on.””
“Yes, Daniel. It does.””
He looked toward Vanessa, who was speaking with several guests near the dining room.
“She's everything I ever wanted.””
“Then I hope you treat her better than you treated me.””
His smile vanished.
“Be careful.””
I tilted my head.
“Why? Are you afraid someone might hear the truth?””
Before he could respond, Melissa appeared beside us.
She wore a dark green dress and carried a glass of water.
“Claire, come with me.””
Daniel looked annoyed.
“She's perfectly capable of standing here.””
Melissa ignored him.
“Actually, Daniel, I need to speak to her.””
She took my arm and led me toward the hallway.
When we were out of earshot, she exhaled.
“Are you all right?””
“I'm fine.””
“You look like you're about to throw that glass at him.””
“I'm considering it.””
Melissa gave a nervous laugh.
Then her expression changed.
“Did you see the woman near Dr. Harris?””
“The one with the photograph?””
“Yes.””
“Who is she?””
“Her name is Rachel Morgan. She used to work at the fertility clinic.””
My heart skipped.
“What?””
Melissa glanced over her shoulder.
“She was one of the nurses who handled patient records. She left the clinic two years ago.””
“Why is she here?””
“I don't know.””
I looked toward the living room.
Rachel was still standing near Dr. Harris.
She was in her early forties, with dark hair pulled into a loose bun. She wore a plain gray dress and held a cream-colored envelope against her chest.
When our eyes met, she looked away.
“Melissa, I think I need to speak to her.””
“Maybe wait until—”
“No.””
I started toward them.
Dr. Harris saw me approaching and straightened immediately.
“Claire.””
His voice sounded strained.
“Dr. Harris.””
He offered his hand.
I didn't take it.
“It's been a long time.””
“Yes. It has.””
I looked at Rachel.
“And you are?””
“Rachel Morgan.””
She swallowed.
“We met briefly at the clinic.””
I studied her face.
“I don't remember.””
“You wouldn't. I worked mostly behind the scenes.””
She looked down at the envelope.
“I'm sorry.””
“For what?””
Before she could answer, Daniel appeared.
“There you are.””
He placed a hand on Dr. Harris's shoulder.
“Doctor, I was just telling everyone that you're going to say a few words later.””
Dr. Harris looked uncomfortable.
“Daniel, perhaps we should speak privately first.””
“There's no need.””
“Daniel—”
“Everyone is here to celebrate.””
He turned to me.
“Claire, you remember Rachel?””
“No.””
“She helped us during the treatments.””
I looked at him.
“You remember her?””
He smiled.
“Of course.””
Something about that answer bothered me.
For seven years, Daniel had complained about the clinic, the appointments, and the endless waiting rooms.
He had barely remembered the names of the nurses.
But he remembered Rachel.
I turned toward her.
“Did you send me the messages?””
Her eyes widened.
Daniel immediately stepped forward.
“What messages?””
Rachel's face drained of color.
I didn't answer him.
I kept looking at her.
“Did you tell me to come here?””
She nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
Daniel laughed.
“That's ridiculous.””
He reached for the envelope.
Rachel pulled it against her chest.
“Don't.””
The single word stopped him.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Rachel looked at me.
“Claire, I need you to know that the records from your final treatment were not handled correctly.””
My mouth went dry.
“What records?””
Dr. Harris stepped forward.
“Rachel, this is not the appropriate time.””
She looked at him.
“Then when is?””
Daniel's voice became sharp.
“Enough.””
He turned toward me.
“Claire, don't listen to this nonsense. Rachel left the clinic under questionable circumstances.””
Rachel flinched.
“That's not true.””
“Really? Because I remember the investigation.””
“What investigation?”” I asked.
Daniel looked at me.
“It's none of your concern.””
I almost smiled.
“Medical records from my marriage aren't my concern?””
He leaned closer.
“Not anymore.””
I stared at him.
Then Rachel opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed two newborn babies lying side by side in hospital bassinets.
Both wore white hats.
One had a small blue blanket.
The other had a pink one.
I felt my knees weaken.
Rachel held the photograph toward me.
“Claire, these children were born six months ago.””
I stared at their tiny faces.
“Why are you showing me this?””
Rachel's eyes filled with tears.
“Because one of them is connected to your medical records.””
The room seemed to tilt.
Daniel suddenly reached for the photograph.
“That's enough!””
Rachel stepped backward.
“Don't touch me.””
He lowered his voice.
“You have no idea what you're doing.””
“I know exactly what I'm doing.””
Dr. Harris moved between them.
“Everyone needs to calm down.””
I looked at the photograph again.
“Who are these babies?””
Rachel opened her mouth.
Daniel answered first.
“They're nobody.””
Rachel stared at him in disbelief.
Then she looked at me.
“They're not nobody, Claire.””
Her voice trembled.
“One of them is yours.””
I couldn't breathe.
Daniel grabbed her arm.
“Stop talking!””
A glass shattered somewhere behind us.
Guests began turning toward the commotion.
Rachel pulled free.
Then she said the words that would change everything.
“Your embryo was never destroyed, Claire.””
My fingers went numb.
“What?””
Rachel looked at Dr. Harris.
He lowered his eyes.
May you like
And for the first time in four years, I saw something on his face that I recognized immediately.
Guilt.
