Chapter 6: The Child## Chapter 6: The Child My Mother Saved
My Mother Saved
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
My brother's wordsFor several seconds, I couldn't speak.
My brother's words kept repeating in my head.
*Mom didn't just deliver that baby. She raised her kept repeating in my head.
Mom didn't just deliver that baby. She raised her for a while.
I stood in the hospital parking garage with the birth record trembling in my hand.
“James, what's the woman's name?””
“E for a while.*
I stood in the hospital parking garage with the birth record trembling in my hand.
“James, what's the woman's name?””
“Evelyn Carter.””
I closed my eyes.
“Where does she live?””
“She still has the old house onvelyn Carter.””
I closed my eyes.
“Where does she live?””
“She still has the old house on Maple Street. At least, she did the last time I visited.””
“Does she know Maple Street. At least, she did the last time I visited.””
“Does she know about Catherine Ashford?””
“She knows more than Mom ever told us.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
James sighed.
“Because Mom made us promise. She said the about Catherine Ashford?””
“She knows more than Mom ever told us.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
James sighed.
“Because Mom made us promise. She said the Ashfords were dangerous people, and that if anyone ever came asking about that baby, we were supposed to stay out of it.””
I stared at the concrete wall.
“James, my daughter is being threatened by those Ashfords were dangerous people, and that if anyone ever came asking about that baby, we were supposed to stay out of it.””
I stared at the concrete wall.
“James, my daughter is being threatened by those same people.””
He went silent.
Then his voice softened.
“Maria, what have you gotten yourself into?””
I looked same people.””
He went silent.
Then his voice softened.
“Maria, what have you gotten yourself into?””
I looked at the photograph of Grace inside my phone.
“I'm trying to protect my granddaughter.””
“Then at the photograph of Grace inside my phone.
“I'm trying to protect my granddaughter.””
“Then don't go alone.””
An hour later, James arrived at the hospital.
He was forty don't go alone.””
An hour later, James arrived at the hospital.
He was forty-seven, broad-shouldered, and had the same tired eyes as our mother. He worked as a mechanic and rarely-seven, broad-shouldered, and had the same tired eyes as our mother. He worked as a mechanic and rarely involved himself in family problems.
But when he saw the documents, his expression changed.
“That's Mom's handwriting.””
I nodded.
“ involved himself in family problems.
But when he saw the documents, his expression changed.
“That's Mom's handwriting.””
I nodded.
“Can you take me to Evelyn?””
He studied me.
“NowCan you take me to Evelyn?””
He studied me.
“Now?””
“Now.””
Before leaving, I stopped at Elena's room.
She was sitting upright, reading a?””
“Now.””
Before leaving, I stopped at Elena's room.
She was sitting upright, reading a medical textbook while a nurse adjusted her IV.
“Where are you going medical textbook while a nurse adjusted her IV.
“Where are you going, Mom?””
“I need to visit someone your grandmother, Mom?””
“I need to visit someone your grandmother knew.””
Elena lowered the book.
“Is this about Alex?””
“It's about the other child.””
Her eyes widened.
“Catherine's daughter?””
I nodded.
Elena looked toward Grace's photograph on her bedside knew.””
Elena lowered the book.
“Is this about Alex?””
“It's about the other child.””
Her eyes widened.
“Catherine's daughter?””
I nodded.
Elena looked toward Grace's photograph on her bedside table.
“Do you think she's alive?””
“I hope so.””
“Then find her.””
I kissed her forehead.
“I will.””
The drive to Maple Street took table.
“Do you think she's alive?””
“I hope so.””
“Then find her.””
I kissed her forehead.
“I will.””
The drive to Maple Street took forty minutes.
The neighborhood looked almost exactly as I remembered forty minutes.
The neighborhood looked almost exactly as I remembered it from childhood.
Small brick houses.
Old it from childhood.
Small brick houses.
Old maple trees.
Children's bicycles leaning against fences.
The smell of freshly cut grass drifted through open windows.
Evelyn Carter's house stood at the end of the street.
A white porch.
Blue shutters.
A wind chime hanging beside the front door.
James knocked.
A moment later, an elderly woman opened it maple trees.
Children's bicycles leaning against fences.
The smell of freshly cut grass drifted through open windows.
Evelyn Carter's house stood at the end of the street.
A white porch.
Blue shutters.
A wind chime hanging beside the front door.
James knocked.
A moment later, an elderly woman opened it.
She had silver hair, deep brown eyes, and a small scar near her chin.
When she saw James, she smiled.
“.
She had silver hair, deep brown eyes, and a small scar near her chin.
When she saw James, she smiled.
“James Bennett. I haven't seen you in years.””
Then she noticed me.
Her smile disappeared.
“Maria?””
I nodded.
“Hello, Evelyn.””
She lookedJames Bennett. I haven't seen you in years.””
Then she noticed me.
Her smile disappeared.
“Maria?””
I nodded.
“Hello, Evelyn.””
She looked from me to James.
Then she stepped backward.
“Come inside.””
The house smelled like cinnamon and old books.
Photographs covered the walls.
There were pictures of children, weddings, birthdays, and from me to James.
Then she stepped backward.
“Come inside.””
The house smelled like cinnamon and old books.
Photographs covered the walls.
There were pictures of children, weddings, birthdays, and family vacations.
I noticed one photograph on the mantel.
A baby wrapped in a yellow blanket.
Beside the baby family vacations.
I noticed one photograph on the mantel.
A baby wrapped in a yellow blanket.
Beside the baby stood my mother.
I moved closer.
“That's Mom.””
Evelyn followed stood my mother.
I moved closer.
“That's Mom.””
Evelyn followed my gaze.
“Yes.””
I pointed to the baby.
“Who is that?””
She looked at me my gaze.
“Yes.””
I pointed to the baby.
“Who is that?””
She looked at me for a long moment.
Then she answered.
“Catherine's daughter.””
I turned.
“Where for a long moment.
Then she answered.
“Catherine's daughter.””
I turned.
“Where is she now?””
Evelyn sat down slowly.
“Before I tell you anything, I is she now?””
Evelyn sat down slowly.
“Before I tell you anything, I need to know why you're asking.””
I placed the hospital record on the table.
“Because Viv need to know why you're asking.””
I placed the hospital record on the table.
“Because Vivienne Ashford is threatening my daughter. She's trying to erase her baby, and I think theienne Ashford is threatening my daughter. She's trying to erase her baby, and I think the same thing happened to another child seventeen years ago.””
Evelyn's fingers tightened around the photograph.
“Viv same thing happened to another child seventeen years ago.””
Evelyn's fingers tightened around the photograph.
“Vivienne.””
The name came out like something bitter.
“She hasn'tienne.””
The name came out like something bitter.
“She hasn't changed, then.””
“Please. Tell me what happened.””
Evelyn looked changed, then.””
“Please. Tell me what happened.””
Evelyn looked toward the window.
Then she began.
Seventeen years earlier, Catherine Ashford had arrived at a small private hospital under an assumed name.
She was frightened, heavily pregnant, and accompanied by a nurse who had toward the window.
Then she began.
Seventeen years earlier, Catherine Ashford had arrived at a small private hospital under an assumed name.
She was frightened, heavily pregnant, and accompanied by a nurse who had worked for the Ashford family.
My mother, Mariah, was on duty that night worked for the Ashford family.
My mother, Mariah, was on duty that night.
Catherine delivered a healthy baby girl.
But before the child could be registered properly, Vivienne arrived with two lawyers.
She claimed Catherine was.
Catherine delivered a healthy baby girl.
But before the child could be registered properly, Vivienne arrived with two lawyers.
She claimed Catherine was mentally unstable and that the baby needed to be placed under family supervision.
Catherine refused.
She wanted to mentally unstable and that the baby needed to be placed under family supervision.
Catherine refused.
She wanted to leave with her daughter.
The argument became so intense that hospital security leave with her daughter.
The argument became so intense that hospital security was called.
“My mother intervened,” Evelyn explained.
“She told Viv was called.
“My mother intervened,” Evelyn explained.
“She told Vivienne that a newborn wasn't a company asset.””
I almost smiled.
That sounded exactly like my mother.
“Whatienne that a newborn wasn't a company asset.””
I almost smiled.
That sounded exactly like my mother.
“What happened next?””
“Catherine was taken to another facility. They said she had suffered a psychiatric episode happened next?””
“Catherine was taken to another facility. They said she had suffered a psychiatric episode. Your mother discovered that the transfer papers were false.””
James. Your mother discovered that the transfer papers were false.””
James leaned forward.
“False?””
Evelyn nodded.
“The hospital had been instructed to leaned forward.
“False?””
Evelyn nodded.
“The hospital had been instructed to record the infant as deceased.””
My stomach twisted.
“They declared the baby dead?””
“Yes.””
record the infant as deceased.””
My stomach twisted.
“They declared the baby dead?””
“Yes.””
“But she was alive.””
“Very much alive.””
Evelyn's eyes filled.
“Your mother carried her out through“But she was alive.””
“Very much alive.””
Evelyn's eyes filled.
“Your mother carried her out through the service entrance. She brought the baby to me that night.””
I stared at her.
“Why you?””
“Because I couldn't have children. Your mother knew I had spent years trying.””
She the service entrance. She brought the baby to me that night.””
I stared at her.
“Why you?””
“Because I couldn't have children. Your mother knew I had spent years trying.””
She touched the photograph.
“I raised that little girl for eleven months.””
“Where is she now?””
Evelyn stood and walked toward a touched the photograph.
“I raised that little girl for eleven months.””
“Where is she now?””
Evelyn stood and walked toward a cabinet.
She removed a thick folder.
Inside were adoption papers, medical records, and a handwritten letter.
“The baby's name became Maya Carter.””
I looked at the adoption document.
The date was seventeen years earlier.
The adoptive mother was Evelyn Carter.
The biological mother was Catherine Ashford.
The father's name was listed as unknown.
I swallowed.
“Did Catherine ever see her daughter again?””
Evelyn cabinet.
She removed a thick folder.
Inside were adoption papers, medical records, and a handwritten letter.
“The baby's name became Maya Carter.””
I looked at the adoption document.
The date was seventeen years earlier.
The adoptive mother was Evelyn Carter.
The biological mother was Catherine Ashford.
The father's name was listed as unknown.
I swallowed.
“Did Catherine ever see her daughter again?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“She came to my house twice. The first time, she was crying. The second time, she brought a small silver locket.””
Evelyn opened the folder.
Inside was a photograph shook her head.
“She came to my house twice. The first time, she was crying. The second time, she brought a small silver locket.””
Evelyn opened the folder.
Inside was a photograph of a silver heart-shaped pendant.
“Catherine told me to give it to Maya when she was old enough to understand.””
“Where is Maya now?””
Evel of a silver heart-shaped pendant.
“Catherine told me to give it to Maya when she was old enough to understand.””
“Where is Maya now?””
Evelyn's eyes moved toward the hallway.
Then she saidyn's eyes moved toward the hallway.
Then she said, “She's at Harvard.””
My entire body went cold.
“What?””
“She received a full scholarship. She's studying biomedical engineering, “She's at Harvard.””
My entire body went cold.
“What?””
“She received a full scholarship. She's studying biomedical engineering.””
I gripped the table.””
I gripped the table.
“What's her full name?””
“Maya Carter.””
James looked at me.
“Maria…”
Evelyn continued.
“She was.
“What's her full name?””
“Maya Carter.””
James looked at me.
“Maria…”
Evelyn continued.
“She was selected for a neonatal research fellowship. Her supervisor was Dr. Lorraine Whitmore.””
The room seemed selected for a neonatal research fellowship. Her supervisor was Dr. Lorraine Whitmore.””
The room seemed to shrink.
Elena.
Maya.
The same university.
The same research network.
The same woman to shrink.
Elena.
Maya.
The same university.
The same research network.
The same woman.
I looked at Evelyn.
“Does Maya know who she really is?””
“No.””
“Does she know Catherine is her mother?””
“She.
I looked at Evelyn.
“Does Maya know who she really is?””
“No.””
“Does she know Catherine is her mother?””
“She knows she was adopted. That's all.””
I looked down at the papers.
Then I noticed a photograph near the bottom.
Maya stood in front of a university building wearing a crimson Harvard sweatshirt.
She looked about knows she was adopted. That's all.””
I looked down at the papers.
Then I noticed a photograph near the bottom.
Maya stood in front of a university building wearing a crimson Harvard sweatshirt.
She looked about seventeen.
She had dark eyes and a small dimple in her left cheek.
I recognized the face immediately.
Not because I had ever met her.
Because I had seen her before.
In the background of the gala photograph.
Standing seventeen.
She had dark eyes and a small dimple in her left cheek.
I recognized the face immediately.
Not because I had ever met her.
Because I had seen her before.
In the background of the gala photograph.
Standing behind Alex and Vivienne.
The woman Vivienne had tried to keep invisible.
I picked up my phone.
“Evelyn, I need to speak to her.””
She shook her head.
“Not yet.””
“Why?””
“Because yesterday, someone came here asking about her.””
I stopped.
“Who?””
“A woman in a black car. She showed me a photograph of Maya and asked whether I had kept any old medical records.””
My heart began pounding.
“What did you tell her?””
“That I didn't know what she was talking about.””
E behind Alex and Vivienne.
The woman Vivienne had tried to keep invisible.
I picked up my phone.
“Evelyn, I need to speak to her.””
She shook her head.
“Not yet.””
“Why?””
“Because yesterday, someone came here asking about her.””
I stopped.
“Who?””
“A woman in a black car. She showed me a photograph of Maya and asked whether I had kept any old medical records.””
My heart began pounding.
“What did you tell her?””
“That I didn't know what she was talking about.””
Evelyn opened another drawer.
She removed a small envelope.
“Your mother left this with me before she died. She said that if anyone ever came looking for the baby, I should give it to the Bennett girl.””
I took it.
My name was written across the front.
Mariavelyn opened another drawer.
She removed a small envelope.
“Your mother left this with me before she died. She said that if anyone ever came looking for the baby, I should give it to the Bennett girl.””
I took it.
My name was written across the front.
Maria.
My mother's handwriting.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a letter.
My darling Maria,
If you are reading this, then the Ashfords have started looking for the truth again.
*There is.
My mother's handwriting.
I opened it carefully.
Inside was a letter.
My darling Maria,
If you are reading this, then the Ashfords have started looking for the truth again.
There is something I never told you.
The baby I saved was not the only child Catherine something I never told you.
The baby I saved was not the only child Catherine gave birth to that night.
My gave birth to that night.*
My fingers went numb.
I read the sentence again.
Then I looked at Evelyn.
“Another child?””
Evelyn's face crumpled.
She nodded.
“Twins.””
I fingers went numb.
I read the sentence again.
Then I looked at Evelyn.
“Another child?””
Evelyn's face crumpled.
She nodded.
“Twins.””
I looked back at the letter.
One baby went home with Evelyn. The other was taken by Vivienne.
*I looked back at the letter.
One baby went home with Evelyn. The other was taken by Vivienne.
I tried to stop her. I failed.
And I have spent the rest of my life wondering whether that little tried to stop her. I failed.
And I have spent the rest of my life wondering whether that little boy survived.
I lowered the letter.
A boy.
Another child.
Vivienne hadn't just hidden Catherine's daughter.
She had taken her boy survived.*
I lowered the letter.
A boy.
Another child.
Vivienne hadn't just hidden Catherine's daughter.
She had taken her son.
James stood.
“Maria, we need to get the police.””
But Evelyn was already shaking her head.
“There's more.””
She reached into the folder and removed a final document.
A hospital discharge son.
James stood.
“Maria, we need to get the police.””
But Evelyn was already shaking her head.
“There's more.””
She reached into the folder and removed a final document.
A hospital discharge record.
The infant's temporary name was listed as Baby A.
Under destination record.
The infant's temporary name was listed as Baby A.
Under destination was a private Ashford medical residence.
And under the person authorizing the transfer was one name.
*Vivienne Ashford.*
was a private Ashford medical residence.
And under the person authorizing the transfer was one name.
*Vivienne Ashford.*
Then I noticed the date.
The boy had been born exactly seventeen years ago.
The same night Catherine'sThen I noticed the date.
The boy had been born exactly seventeen years ago.
The same night Catherine's daughter was born.
And the same night my mother had tried to save both children.
My phone rang.
An daughter was born.
And the same night my mother had tried to save both children.
My phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A young man's voice came through.
“Mrs. Bennett?””
“Yes?””
“My name is Alex Ash unknown number.
I answered.
A young man's voice came through.
“Mrs. Bennett?””
“Yes?””
“My name is Alex Ashford.””
I stopped breathing.
He sounded exhausted.
But he was alive.
“Alex?””
“Please listen carefully. I know where the other babyford.””
I stopped breathing.
He sounded exhausted.
But he was alive.
“Alex?””
“Please listen carefully. I know where the other baby is.””
Then the call abruptly ended.
And before I could call him back, a black SUV pulled into Evelyn's is.””
Then the call abruptly ended.
And before I could call him back, a black SUV pulled into Evelyn's driveway.
Two men stepped out.
One of them was carrying a photograph of Maya.
The other was holding a driveway.
Two men stepped out.
One of them was carrying a photograph of Maya.
May you like
The other was holding a document with my daughter's name on it.
document with my daughter's name on it.
