Chapter 4: The Hospital Room
I didn't sleep that night.
I sat between two hospital beds while Sophie and Ruby slept in a room that smelled of disinfectant and warm plastic.
The girls had refused to be separated.
They held hands even in their sleep.
Every time one moved, the other stirred.
I watched them for hours.
My daughters.
I wanted to believe that without hesitation.
But Evelyn's words had planted a terrible seed.
One of them isn't yours.
At six in the morning, Officer Harris returned.
He had a folder.
“Mr. Cole, we located the woman from the sidewalk.””
I stood immediately.
“Is she awake?””
“Yes. She's asking for you.””
“What's her name?””
“Claire Bennett.””
I recognized the name.
The woman had introduced herself as Ruby's mother.
“Can I see her?””
Harris nodded.
“Just remember, she's frightened. Don't pressure her.””
I looked back at the sleeping girls.
A nurse agreed to stay with them.
Then I followed Harris down the corridor.
Claire was sitting upright in her hospital bed.
A bandage covered her forehead. Her left arm was in a sling.
When she saw me, she began crying.
“I'm sorry.””
I pulled a chair beside her.
“Who are you?””
“Claire Bennett.””
“Are you Ruby's mother?””
She nodded.
“Where is Olivia?””
Claire closed her eyes.
“Alive.””
“Where?””
“I don't know exactly. She moves around.””
“Why?””
“Because she knows they're looking for her.””
“Who?””
Claire swallowed.
“Your mother. Her lawyers. The people who work for your family.””
I leaned forward.
“Tell me everything.””
Claire stared at the hospital blanket.
“Six years ago, Olivia was taken to a private clinic outside Savannah. She had gone into labor early. Your mother arranged for her to be transferred there after she started having complications.””
“Why would my mother arrange that?””
“Because she was already involved in the pregnancy.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Claire took a shaky breath.
“Your father had been hiding money for years. Money that belonged to your family company. Olivia discovered it when she was working on the books.””
I remembered Olivia's job.
She had been a financial analyst before our wedding.
She was exceptionally good with numbers.
“She found something?””
Claire nodded.
“Your father had created a private trust. It contained millions of dollars. He wanted Olivia to inherit it for the children.””
“Why didn't I know about it?””
“Because the trust had conditions. Your father believed your mother would try to take control of the money if she knew about it.””
I stared at her.
“And what does that have to do with the girls?””
“Everything.””
Claire shifted painfully.
“Your mother believed the trust belonged to her. She wanted the children placed under her control because the trust would eventually become theirs.””
I shook my head.
“My mother is wealthy. She doesn't need their money.””
“It's not about needing money. It's about control.””
Claire looked toward the window.
“Your father knew what she was capable of.””
I sat back.
“Why didn't Olivia tell me?””
“She tried.””
I remembered the argument at our kitchen table.
The phone call.
The words.
They're my children.
Claire continued.
“When Olivia gave birth, your mother was there. She had arranged everything through a doctor named Dr. Richard Hale.””
“Was he the doctor who delivered the babies?””
“Yes.””
“Where is he now?””
“I don't know.””
Claire paused.
“Olivia had twins. Both girls were healthy. But shortly after delivery, your mother told her that one baby had died.””
I gripped the chair.
“What?””
“Olivia was exhausted. She'd lost a lot of blood. They gave her medication. When she woke up, the second baby was gone.””
I couldn't speak.
Claire continued.
“Your mother told her the baby had suffered complications. She showed her a death certificate.””
“But Ruby survived.””
“Yes.””
“Who took her?””
“Your mother arranged for a nurse to take her. She intended to place Ruby with another family.””
I stared at Claire.
“And you?””
Claire's eyes filled.
“I was that nurse.””
The room seemed to grow smaller.
“You took my daughter?””
“I did.””
Her voice broke.
“I was young. I had debts. Your mother offered me money to follow instructions. She told me the baby would be raised by a wealthy family and would never want for anything.””
“Then why is Ruby with you?””
Claire wiped her face.
“Because I heard Olivia screaming when they told her the baby was dead. She kept begging them to let her see her daughter. She knew something was wrong.””
Claire looked at me.
“I couldn't do it. I couldn't hand Ruby over to strangers.””
“So you kept her?””
“I took her to a friend. I left the hospital that night. I thought I could disappear with her.””
“And Olivia?””
“Your mother made sure she couldn't leave.””
I closed my eyes.
“What happened to her?””
Claire's voice dropped.
“She was told you had died in a car accident.””
I looked up.
“What?””
“Your mother told her that you and the baby had died on your way to the hospital.””
I couldn't breathe.
“That's why she didn't come home?””
Claire nodded.
“She believed she had lost you.””
For six years, I had believed Olivia had abandoned me.
For six years, she had believed I was dead.
And my mother had built an entire wall between us.
“Why did Olivia disappear from the hospital?””
“Because she eventually discovered the truth.””
Claire explained that Olivia had found evidence of the stolen trust, the falsified hospital records, and the arrangements made for Ruby.
She escaped with the help of a hospital employee.
But she couldn't take Ruby.
Not safely.
Claire had already fled with the baby, and Olivia believed the authorities were being monitored.
“So she let you raise Ruby?””
“She knew I had her. She contacted me months later.””
I looked at her.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Claire started crying harder.
“I wanted to. I swear I did.””
“But you didn't.””
“Your mother threatened me. She showed me photographs of Ruby at daycare. She knew where we lived. She said if I ever contacted you, Ruby would disappear.””
I stood and walked toward the window.
A nurse entered quietly and checked Claire's blood pressure.
When she left, Claire reached beneath her pillow.
“There is something else.””
She pulled out a small envelope.
“I've kept this for six years.””
I opened it.
Inside was a hospital wristband.
It read:
*BABY GIRL COLE — TWIN B*
Beneath it was a handwritten note.
If Damien ever finds you, give him this. Tell him I never stopped loving him.
The signature was Olivia's.
I sat down.
“Where did you get this?””
“Olivia gave it to me.””
I held the wristband in my palm.
Then I looked at Claire.
“Where is she?””
Claire hesitated.
“Before I tell you, you need to understand something.””
“What?””
“Olivia has been preparing to come back.””
“When?””
“Tomorrow.””
I froze.
“Tomorrow?””
Claire nodded.
“She was supposed to meet me today. But when I saw you on that sidewalk, I panicked.””
“Why?””
“Because I recognized your mother’s car.””
I leaned closer.
“What car?””
“The black SUV.””
She looked directly into my eyes.
“Damien, that wasn't the first time they followed Ruby.””
My stomach tightened.
“How long have they been watching her?””
“Since she was born.””
I looked toward the door.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps in the corridor.
A nurse entered.
“Mr. Cole?””
“Yes?””
“There's a woman downstairs asking for you.””
My heart began pounding.
“What's her name?””
May you like
The nurse checked her clipboard.
“Olivia Cole.””
