Chapter 9: The Woman Who Stole My Childhood
I read the nurse's statement three times.
Each time, the words remained the same.
*At Stole My Childhood
I read the nurse's statement three times.
Each time, the words remained the same.
*At approximately 11:40 p.m., Vanessa Hayes entered the maternity ward carrying a signed transfer order. She stated that the child's father had authorized the move. When approximately 11:40 p.m., Vanessa Hayes entered the maternity ward carrying a signed transfer order.
She stated that the child's father had authorized the move. When I questioned the paperwork, she instructed me not to delay the I questioned the paperwork, she instructed me not to delay the transfer.*
The next paragraph was worse.
The infant's mother, Eleanor Carter, was conscious and asked where her daughter was being taken. Mrs. Hayes assured her that the child would be returned transfer.
The next paragraph was worse.
The infant's mother, Eleanor Carter, was conscious and asked where her daughter was being taken. Mrs. Hayes assured her that the child would be returned after the medical examination.
I pressed my hand against my mouth.
My mother had been alive.
She after the medical examination.*
I pressed my hand against my mouth.
My mother had been alive.
She had seen Vanessa take me.
And she had believed I would be returned.
“Keep reading,” Rebecca said softly through had seen Vanessa take me.
And she had believed I would be returned.
“Keep reading,” Rebecca said softly through the phone.
I forced myself to look at the final paragraph.
*I was later informed that the mother had died and the child had been transferred to a relative. I did not the phone.
I forced myself to look at the final paragraph.
I was later informed that the mother had died and the child had been transferred to a relative. I did not report the discrepancy because I feared losing my job. I have carried the memory of that night for seventeen years.
I report the discrepancy because I feared losing my job. I have carried the memory of that night for seventeen years.*
I lowered the paper.
“Why didn't the nurse report this before?””
“She says she was afraid. We need to interview her and verify the statement.””
“Where is lowered the paper.
“Why didn't the nurse report this before?””
“She says she was afraid. We need to interview her and verify the statement.””
“Where is she?””
“She lives in Massachusetts. Martin is arranging a meeting.””
I stood and walked to the window.
Outside, the sky was still dark.
For seventeen years, I had believed my mother had died before I was old enough to know she?””
“She lives in Massachusetts. Martin is arranging a meeting.””
I stood and walked to the window.
Outside, the sky was still dark.
For seventeen years, I had believed my mother had died before I was old enough to know her.
For seventeen years, Vanessa had controlled every detail of my life.
She had taken my father's money, stolen my designs through her.
For seventeen years, Vanessa had controlled every detail of my life.
She had taken my father's money, stolen my designs through her daughter, and taught me to be grateful for scraps.
Now there was evidence that she had carried me out of her daughter, and taught me to be grateful for scraps.
Now there was evidence that she had carried me out of a hospital while my mother was still alive.
“Rebecca,” I whispered, “did my father know?””
“We don't a hospital while my mother was still alive.
“Rebecca,” I whispered, “did my father know?””
“We don't know what he knew at the time. His later notes suggest he suspected Vanessa had interfered with your medical records know what he knew at the time. His later notes suggest he suspected Vanessa had interfered with your medical records.””
“Then why did he leave me with her?””
“He may have believed she was safe. He may have discovered the truth too late. We need more information before we can answer that.””
I closed my.””
“Then why did he leave me with her?””
“He may have believed she was safe. He may have discovered the truth too late. We need more information before we can answer that.””
I closed my eyes.
My father had trusted Vanessa once.
Perhaps he had never understood how far that trust would be betrayed.
Perhaps he had spent the rest of his life trying to repair the damage.
I thought of the photograph hidden eyes.
My father had trusted Vanessa once.
Perhaps he had never understood how far that trust would be betrayed.
Perhaps he had spent the rest of his life trying to repair the damage.
I thought of the photograph hidden in the trophy.
The message written on its back.
He knows what Vanessa did.
My father had known enough to hide the evidence.
And Vanessa had known enough to destroy it.
But she in the trophy.
The message written on its back.
He knows what Vanessa did.
My father had known enough to hide the evidence.
And Vanessa had known enough to destroy it.
But she had made one mistake.
She had destroyed the trophy after I photographed the contents.
The truth had survived.
“I'm had made one mistake.
She had destroyed the trophy after I photographed the contents.
The truth had survived.
“I'm going to meet the nurse,” I said.
Rebecca paused.
“Are you certain?””
“Yes.””
“ going to meet the nurse,” I said.
Rebecca paused.
“Are you certain?””
“Yes.””
“Then Martin and I will accompany you. You won't be alone.””
I hung up and sat on the edge of the bed.
The championship trophy gleThen Martin and I will accompany you. You won't be alone.””
I hung up and sat on the edge of the bed.
The championship trophy gleamed beside me.
I had won a scholarship.
I had proved my talent.
But the most important discovery of myamed beside me.
I had won a scholarship.
I had proved my talent.
But the most important discovery of my life had nothing to do with fashion.
It was the knowledge that someone had stolen seventeen years of my childhood before I was old enough life had nothing to do with fashion.
It was the knowledge that someone had stolen seventeen years of my childhood before I was old enough to remember.
And I was going to find out why.
The nurse's name was Margaret Lewis to remember.
And I was going to find out why.
The nurse's name was Margaret Lewis.
She was seventy-two, with silver hair and careful hands. She lived in a small house surrounded by rose bushes, and when she opened the door, she looked as.
She was seventy-two, with silver hair and careful hands. She lived in a small house surrounded by rose bushes, and when she opened the door, she looked as though she had been expecting us for years.
“You must be Nia,” she said.
I nodded.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, sweetheart.””
She stepped aside to though she had been expecting us for years.
“You must be Nia,” she said.
I nodded.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, sweetheart.””
She stepped aside to let us enter.
We sat in her living room, where family photographs covered the mantelpiece. Margaret offered tea, but I couldn't imagine let us enter.
We sat in her living room, where family photographs covered the mantelpiece. Margaret offered tea, but I couldn't imagine swallowing anything.
Martin placed the statement on the table.
“Mrs. Lewis, we'd like you swallowing anything.
Martin placed the statement on the table.
“Mrs. Lewis, we'd like you to explain what happened the night Nia was removed from the hospital.””
Margaret folded her hands.
“I've told myself for to explain what happened the night Nia was removed from the hospital.””
Margaret folded her hands.
“I've told myself for years that I was doing the right thing by staying quiet.””
“Why did you remain silent?”” Martin asked.
“Vanessa told me the transfer years that I was doing the right thing by staying quiet.””
“Why did you remain silent?”” Martin asked.
“Vanessa told me the transfer had been authorized. She had paperwork, and she spoke as though everything had already been arranged. When I questioned her, she said the child was being moved for had been authorized.
She had paperwork, and she spoke as though everything had already been arranged. When I questioned her, she said the child was being moved for her own safety.””
I leaned forward.
“Did my mother believe that?””
Margaret looked at me.
“No. Eleanor knew something was wrong.””
“What did she say?””
Margaret's her own safety.””
I leaned forward.
“Did my mother believe that?””
Margaret looked at me.
“No. Eleanor knew something was wrong.””
“What did she say?””
Margaret's eyes filled again.
“She kept asking where you were going. She tried to sit eyes filled again.
“She kept asking where you were going. She tried to sit up, but she was weak from the delivery. Vanessa told her that Daniel had approved the transfer.””
I felt my stomach twist.
“My father wasn't there?””
up, but she was weak from the delivery. Vanessa told her that Daniel had approved the transfer.””
I felt my stomach twist.
“My father wasn't there?””
“Not at first. He arrived shortly afterward. By then, you were gone.””
“What did he do?””
“He demanded to“Not at first. He arrived shortly afterward. By then, you were gone.””
“What did he do?””
“He demanded to know who had authorized the transfer. He was furious. He shouted at the staff, called the hospital administrator, and refused to leave until someone told him where you had been know who had authorized the transfer.
He was furious. He shouted at the staff, called the hospital administrator, and refused to leave until someone told him where you had been taken.””
I gripped the edge of the chair.
“And my mother?””
Margaret lowered her eyes.
“She was still alive taken.””
I gripped the edge of the chair.
“And my mother?””
Margaret lowered her eyes.
“She was still alive when Daniel arrived. She asked him to find you.””
My throat closed.
“What happened to her?””
“The when Daniel arrived. She asked him to find you.””
My throat closed.
“What happened to her?””
“The hospital records say she died that night. But I never saw a physician examine her after Vanessa took you away hospital records say she died that night. But I never saw a physician examine her after Vanessa took you away. I was reassigned before dawn, and by the time I returned to the ward, Eleanor's room was empty.””
Martin. I was reassigned before dawn, and by the time I returned to the ward, Eleanor's room was empty.””
Martin leaned forward.
“Did you see a death certificate?””
“No.””
“Did you leaned forward.
“Did you see a death certificate?””
“No.””
“Did you see her body?””
Margaret shook her head.
“No.””
The room seemed to shrink around me.
My mother had supposedly died shortly after my birth.
But the nurse who had cared see her body?””
Margaret shook her head.
“No.””
The room seemed to shrink around me.
My mother had supposedly died shortly after my birth.
But the nurse who had cared for her had never seen a physician confirm the death. She had never seen a body. She had simply been told that Eleanor was gone.
I looked at Margaret.
“Did you believe she was dead?””
“I wanted for her had never seen a physician confirm the death. She had never seen a body. She had simply been told that Eleanor was gone.
I looked at Margaret.
“Did you believe she was dead?””
“I wanted to believe the hospital had handled everything properly. I was young, and I was afraid. Vanessa knew the to believe the hospital had handled everything properly.
I was young, and I was afraid. Vanessa knew the administrators. She threatened to report me for violating patient privacy if I continued asking questions.””
“What did my father do administrators. She threatened to report me for violating patient privacy if I continued asking questions.””
“What did my father do?””
“He searched for you. He came back several times. He asked me to sign a statement, but I refused. I was ashamed of?””
“He searched for you. He came back several times. He asked me to sign a statement, but I refused. I was ashamed of myself for years.””
I looked down at my hands.
“Why are you telling me now?””
Margaret took a trembling myself for years.””
I looked down at my hands.
“Why are you telling me now?””
Margaret took a trembling breath.
“Because I saw your name in the news after you won the championship. I recognized your father's name breath.
“Because I saw your name in the news after you won the championship. I recognized your father's name. Then I saw Adrian Vale standing beside you in a photograph, and I knew the past had finally caught up. Then I saw Adrian Vale standing beside you in a photograph, and I knew the past had finally caught up with me.””
She reached into a drawer and removed a small envelope.
“Your mother asked me with me.””
She reached into a drawer and removed a small envelope.
“Your mother asked me to keep this before she was taken away.””
My heart stopped.
Inside was a tiny strip of white fabric to keep this before she was taken away.””
My heart stopped.
Inside was a tiny strip of white fabric.
A name had been embroidered across it in blue thread.
*Nia.*
I touched the.
A name had been embroidered across it in blue thread.
*Nia.*
I touched the letters.
My mother had embroidered my name before I was old enough to hold a needle.
The stitching was uneven in letters.
My mother had embroidered my name before I was old enough to hold a needle.
The stitching was uneven in places, but the letters were beautiful.
“She wanted you to have it,” Margaret whispered.
I pressed the fabric against my palm.
For the first time in my places, but the letters were beautiful.
“She wanted you to have it,” Margaret whispered.
I pressed the fabric against my palm.
For the first time in my life, I had something made by my mother.
Not a story.
Not a photograph.
Something her hands had touched.
“Did life, I had something made by my mother.
Not a story.
Not a photograph.
Something her hands had touched.
“Did she say anything else?””
Margaret nodded.
“She said that if anything happened to her, I should tell Daniel to look she say anything else?””
Margaret nodded.
“She said that if anything happened to her, I should tell Daniel to look for the silver bird.””
I looked at Martin.
“The pendant?””
“Possibly,” he said.
Margaret continued for the silver bird.””
I looked at Martin.
“The pendant?””
“Possibly,” he said.
Margaret continued.
“She told me that the bird would lead him to the truth. I didn't understand what she meant.””
I remembered.
“She told me that the bird would lead him to the truth. I didn't understand what she meant.””
I remembered the silver pendant Adrian had shown me.
The bird engraved on the thimble.
The hidden compartment in the trophy the silver pendant Adrian had shown me.
The bird engraved on the thimble.
The hidden compartment in the trophy.
Perhaps my father had known exactly what she meant.
Perhaps the trophy had contained the next piece of the puzzle.
“Did you ever.
Perhaps my father had known exactly what she meant.
Perhaps the trophy had contained the next piece of the puzzle.
“Did you ever hear from my mother again?”” I asked.
Margaret shook her head.
“No. I'm sorry hear from my mother again?”” I asked.
Margaret shook her head.
“No. I'm sorry.””
I looked at the strip of fabric.
I wanted to ask a thousand questions.
Where had my mother been taken?
Why had Vanessa removed me from the hospital?
What had my father discovered.””
I looked at the strip of fabric.
I wanted to ask a thousand questions.
Where had my mother been taken?
Why had Vanessa removed me from the hospital?
What had my father discovered before he died?
But the answers were still buried beneath years of altered records and frightened silence.
before he died?
But the answers were still buried beneath years of altered records and frightened silence.
I stood and thanked Margaret.
At the door, she caught my hand.
“Your mother loved you, NiaI stood and thanked Margaret.
At the door, she caught my hand.
“Your mother loved you, Nia. I want you to know that. Whatever happened afterward, she loved you.””
I nodded because I couldn't speak. I want you to know that. Whatever happened afterward, she loved you.””
I nodded because I couldn't speak.
Outside, I sat in the car and held the fabric strip against my chest.
Rebecca waited until I was ready before speaking.
“We have enough to request a formal investigation into the hospital.
Outside, I sat in the car and held the fabric strip against my chest.
Rebecca waited until I was ready before speaking.
“We have enough to request a formal investigation into the hospital transfer and the estate records.””
I looked out the window.
“What if Vanessa denies everything?””
“Then we let the evidence speak.””
I transfer and the estate records.””
I looked out the window.
“What if Vanessa denies everything?””
“Then we let the evidence speak.””
I nodded.
For the first time, I wasn't afraid of hearing the truth.
I was afraid of what it would mean.
We nodded.
For the first time, I wasn't afraid of hearing the truth.
I was afraid of what it would mean.
We returned to Boston that afternoon.
Adrian was waiting in Rebecca's office.
When I showed him the strip of fabric, he stared at it for returned to Boston that afternoon.
Adrian was waiting in Rebecca's office.
When I showed him the strip of fabric, he stared at it for a long time.
“Eleanor embroidered this,” he said quietly.
“You knew her well?””
“She a long time.
“Eleanor embroidered this,” he said quietly.
“You knew her well?””
“She was one of the most determined people I ever met. She believed that a person's worth came from what they created and how they treated others.””
I looked at him.
“Why was one of the most determined people I ever met. She believed that a person's worth came from what they created and how they treated others.””
I looked at him.
“Why did she trust you?””
“Because I promised her I would help protect you.””
did she trust you?””
“Because I promised her I would help protect you.””
“Did you keep that promise?””
His face tightened.
“I failed to find you.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
He looked down at the fabric.
“No,” he“Did you keep that promise?””
His face tightened.
“I failed to find you.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
He looked down at the fabric.
“No,” he said.
“I didn't keep it the way I should have.””
I appreciated that he didn't try to excuse himself.
I sat across said.
“I didn't keep it the way I should have.””
I appreciated that he didn't try to excuse himself.
I sat across from him.
“Do you know where she went after the hospital?””
“No. But the investigator has found a from him.
“Do you know where she went after the hospital?””
“No. But the investigator has found a second record. Someone used a different name to arrange a transfer from the hospital to a private medical facility.””
“Whose name?””
Adrian placed a document second record. Someone used a different name to arrange a transfer from the hospital to a private medical facility.””
“Whose name?””
Adrian placed a document on the table.
The name was unfamiliar.
*E. Morgan.*
“Was that my mother?””
“We on the table.
The name was unfamiliar.
*E. Morgan.*
“Was that my mother?””
“We don't know. But the date matches the night she disappeared from the hospital.””
Rebecca examined the record.
“We'll request the facility's archived don't know. But the date matches the night she disappeared from the hospital.””
Rebecca examined the record.
“We'll request the facility's archived files. If the transfer occurred, there may be a patient registration or billing record.””
I looked at Adrian.
“What if she's alive?””
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, “If she is, we will find her.””
I held the fabric strip tighter.
files. If the transfer occurred, there may be a patient registration or billing record.””
I looked at Adrian.
“What if she's alive?””
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, “If she is, we will find her.””
I held the fabric strip tighter.
I wanted to believe him.
I wanted to imagine a woman somewhere who had spent seventeen years wondering what had happened to her daughter.
But II wanted to believe him.
I wanted to imagine a woman somewhere who had spent seventeen years wondering what had happened to her daughter.
But I had learned not to build my future on hope alone.
“Until we have proof,” I said, “I want to focus on the evidence we can verify.””
Rebecca nodded.
had learned not to build my future on hope alone.
“Until we have proof,” I said, “I want to focus on the evidence we can verify.””
Rebecca nodded.
“That's the right approach.””
I stood.
“I need to go back to the house.””
Adrian's expression sharpened.
“Why?””
“Because Vanessa still has my father's documents, his“That's the right approach.””
I stood.
“I need to go back to the house.””
Adrian's expression sharpened.
“Why?””
“Because Vanessa still has my father's documents, his tools, and the rest of his things. If she realizes the investigation is moving forward, she may destroy more evidence.””
“We can tools, and the rest of his things. If she realizes the investigation is moving forward, she may destroy more evidence.””
“We can arrange for an officer to accompany you.””
“Good.””
I looked at the fabric strip one last time before placing it in a protective envelope.
Then I turned toward the door.
I had spent seventeen years arrange for an officer to accompany you.””
“Good.””
I looked at the fabric strip one last time before placing it in a protective envelope.
Then I turned toward the door.
I had spent seventeen years believing that my life began when my father brought me home.
Now I knew there was a chapter before that.
A chapter someone had tried to erase.
And I wasn't going believing that my life began when my father brought me home.
Now I knew there was a chapter before that.
A chapter someone had tried to erase.
And I wasn't going to let them write the ending.
Vanessa was waiting in the foyer when I arrived with Rebecca and a uniform to let them write the ending.
Vanessa was waiting in the foyer when I arrived with Rebecca and a uniformed officer.
Her face changed when she saw the officer.
“What is this?””
Rebecca stepped forward.
“We're here to collect Nia's personal belongings and documents. She willed officer.
Her face changed when she saw the officer.
“What is this?””
Rebecca stepped forward.
“We're here to collect Nia's personal belongings and documents. She will be staying elsewhere while the investigation continues.””
Vanessa laughed sharply.
“Investigation? This is absurd.””
The be staying elsewhere while the investigation continues.””
Vanessa laughed sharply.
“Investigation? This is absurd.””
The officer spoke calmly.
“Ma'am, we're not here to arrest anyone. We're here to ensure there are no further disputes over property.””
Vanessa turned toward me.
“You have become completely officer spoke calmly.
“Ma'am, we're not here to arrest anyone. We're here to ensure there are no further disputes over property.””
Vanessa turned toward me.
“You have become completely ungrateful.””
I looked at her.
“You took me from my mother.””
The words fell into ungrateful.””
I looked at her.
“You took me from my mother.””
The words fell into the foyer like a dropped glass.
Vanessa went still.
Then she smiled.
“What nonsense have they told you?””
“The hospital records. Margaret Lewis's statement. The the foyer like a dropped glass.
Vanessa went still.
Then she smiled.
“What nonsense have they told you?””
“The hospital records. Margaret Lewis's statement. The transfer order.””
For the first time, I saw genuine fear cross her face.
It lasted only a second transfer order.””
For the first time, I saw genuine fear cross her face.
It lasted only a second.
Then her expression hardened.
“You don't know what happened that night.””
“Then tell me.””
She stepped closer.
“You were a baby. You have no idea how.
Then her expression hardened.
“You don't know what happened that night.””
“Then tell me.””
She stepped closer.
“You were a baby. You have no idea how complicated things were.””
“Was my mother alive when you took me?””
Vanessa's lips parted complicated things were.””
“Was my mother alive when you took me?””
Vanessa's lips parted.
She looked at the officer, then at Rebecca.
Finally, she looked back at me.
“You should be careful about.
She looked at the officer, then at Rebecca.
Finally, she looked back at me.
“You should be careful about the questions you ask.””
I felt my hands tremble.
“Why?””
“Because some the questions you ask.””
I felt my hands tremble.
“Why?””
“Because some answers destroy everything.””
She turned toward the staircase.
“Get your things and leave.””
I watched her climb the stairs.
For seventeen answers destroy everything.””
She turned toward the staircase.
“Get your things and leave.””
I watched her climb the stairs.
For seventeen years, I had wanted her approval.
Now I wanted only the truth.
But as years, I had wanted her approval.
Now I wanted only the truth.
But as I entered my bedroom, I discovered that someone had already searched it.
My drawers were open.
My sketchbooks were scattered across the floor.
The space beneath my mattress had I entered my bedroom, I discovered that someone had already searched it.
My drawers were open.
My sketchbooks were scattered across the floor.
The space beneath my mattress had been emptied.
And the small box containing the broken pieces of my father's trophy was gone.
On my desk lay a handwritten been emptied.
And the small box containing the broken pieces of my father's trophy was gone.
On my desk lay a handwritten note.
Stop digging, Nia. Your mother made her choice.
I stared note.
Stop digging, Nia. Your mother made her choice.
I stared at the words.
Then I turned the paper over.
May you like
At the bottom was a second sentence.
Ask Adrian what he promised her.
