Chapter 2: Two Babies, One Stolen Identity
I couldn't take my eyes off the photograph.
It showed two newborn babies lying in separate hospital bassinets.
One had a pale pink blanket.
The other had a white blanket with tiny blue stars.
Both wore hospital identification bracelets.
On the back, someone had written a date.
The same date Ava was born.
“Where did you get this?”” I asked.
Maria held the photograph with both hands.
“From the nurse who helped me that night.””
Simone suddenly laughed.
It was a strange sound.
Too loud.
Too quick.
“Daniel, this is ridiculous. Maria is clearly having some kind of breakdown.””
I looked at her.
“Then explain the bracelet.””
“It's a mistake.””
“A mistake?””
“Yes. Hospitals make mistakes all the time.””
“Do they also make mistakes about who gives birth to a child?””
Simone's face tightened.
Maria stepped forward.
“Mr. Carter, please let me finish.””
Simone turned toward her.
“You have no right to speak.””
“I have every right,” Maria replied.
For the first time since I'd known her, Maria wasn't backing away.
Her hands were shaking, but she stood straight.
“I stayed quiet because I was afraid. But I'm done being afraid.””
I moved closer to her.
“Start from the beginning.””
Maria glanced at Ava.
“Not in front of her.””
I looked toward my daughter.
She was sitting on the sofa, holding her teddy bear tightly.
“Sweetheart, would you like to go upstairs with Mrs. Jenkins?””
Ava shook her head.
“I want to stay with you.””
I knelt.
“I'm not going anywhere.””
She searched my face.
“Promise?””
“I promise.””
Maria swallowed.
“Then I'll tell you what I can.””
Simone crossed her arms.
“This is absurd.””
I turned.
“Sit down.””
“Excuse me?””
“Sit down, Simone.””
My wife stared at me as though she had never heard me speak that way.
Then she slowly lowered herself into the armchair.
Maria began.
“Six years ago, I was working at St. Catherine's Medical Center. Not as a housekeeper here. I was employed by the hospital's maternity department.””
I frowned.
“You worked at a hospital?””
She nodded.
“I worked there for almost eleven years. I helped nurses prepare rooms, clean equipment, and care for mothers who needed assistance.””
Simone looked away.
Maria continued.
“The night Ava was born, there were two women in the maternity wing. Simone Carter and me.””
My fingers tightened around the photograph.
“Were you pregnant?””
Maria nodded.
“Yes, sir.””
I looked at Simone.
She stared at the floor.
“You told me you were the one giving birth,” I said.
Simone finally looked up.
“I was pregnant.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I was going to explain.””
“When?””
She didn't answer.
Maria took a breath.
“I was admitted earlier that evening. My labor started unexpectedly. Simone was already there.””
“Why was Simone at the hospital?”” I asked.
Maria hesitated.
“Because she was being treated for complications related to her pregnancy.””
I looked at my wife.
She shook her head.
“Daniel, please don't let her confuse you.””
Maria continued.
“The doctors had told Simone that her pregnancy wasn't progressing normally. She was terrified of losing the baby.””
My mind struggled to catch up.
I remembered those months.
Simone had been unusually private about her medical appointments. She told me her doctor wanted her to rest, so I handled most of the business travel myself.
I remembered bringing her flowers.
I remembered sleeping beside her while she complained about back pain.
I remembered the day she told me the baby had arrived.
But something else was beginning to surface.
I remembered a nurse telling me the delivery had been difficult.
I remembered being kept outside the room for longer than expected.
I remembered hearing a baby cry.
And I remembered Simone holding a little girl when they finally let me in.
Maria pointed to the photograph.
“That night, both of us gave birth.””
I stared at her.
“What happened to your baby?””
Maria's chin trembled.
“My daughter was born first.””
“And Simone's?””
Maria didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she looked at Simone.
My wife lowered her head.
“Your daughter,” Maria finally said, “was the baby I gave birth to.””
The room seemed to tilt.
I looked at Ava.
Then at the woman who had raised her.
Then at Simone.
“Are you saying Ava is your biological daughter?””
Maria nodded.
“Yes.””
“And Simone's baby?””
Maria closed her eyes.
“She died.””
Ava's little fingers tightened around her teddy bear.
I felt the air leave my lungs.
Simone stood abruptly.
“That's enough!””
Her voice cracked.
“You don't know what you're talking about!””
Maria flinched but continued.
“Simone's baby was born with severe complications. The doctors tried everything, but she didn't survive.””
I stared at my wife.
“Is that true?””
Simone's eyes filled.
“Daniel, I lost a child.””
For a moment, anger gave way to something more complicated.
I remembered how much we had wanted a baby.
I remembered the nursery Simone had decorated.
I remembered the tiny yellow shoes she had placed beside the crib.
I had thought those were memories we shared.
But if Maria was telling the truth, the woman I married had been living with a grief I had never understood.
That still didn't explain the bracelet.
“Why was Ava given to Simone?”” I asked.
Maria wiped her cheeks.
“Because Simone couldn't bear to leave the hospital without a baby.””
I turned toward my wife.
“What does that mean?””
Maria's voice became quieter.
“After her baby died, Simone asked the doctor to let her hold mine. She said she only wanted a few minutes.””
“And?””
“She wouldn't give her back.””
Simone jumped to her feet.
“That's a lie!””
Maria shook her head.
“You told me the hospital would make sure nobody knew. You said the baby would have a better life with you.””
“I was grieving!””
“You offered me money.””
“I was trying to help you!””
“You offered me money to disappear!””
The two women stood facing each other.
Ava looked frightened.
I walked over and picked her up.
“That's enough. Both of you.””
I carried my daughter out of the room and into the hallway.
Behind me, I heard Simone crying.
But I couldn't bring myself to comfort her.
Twenty minutes later, Ava was sitting in my bedroom while I called my attorney.
I told him I needed someone who specialized in family law and hospital records.
He asked whether there was an immediate emergency.
I looked at the closed bedroom door.
“Yes,” I said.
“I think there is.””
When I hung up, Ava was watching me.
“Daddy?””
I sat beside her.
“Yes, sweetheart?””
“Does that mean Mommy isn't my mommy?””
I struggled to answer.
“Simone has been your mother for a long time. Nothing changes how much I love you.””
Ava looked at the teddy bear in her lap.
“But Maria said she was my first mommy.””
I brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead.
“Maria gave birth to you. We need to understand what happened before we know what everything means.””
Ava nodded slowly.
Then she asked the question I wasn't prepared for.
“If Maria is my mommy, why did she let Simone keep me?””
I had no answer.
And somehow, that question hurt more than the photograph.
A soft knock interrupted us.
Maria stood in the doorway.
“Mr. Carter?””
I stood.
“Come in.””
She looked at Ava.
“Sweetheart, can I speak with your father for a minute?””
Ava nodded.
Maria approached her slowly.
“Do you remember the little song I used to sing when you were younger?””
Ava smiled faintly.
“The moon song?””
Maria nodded.
“Yes.””
“You used to sing it when I couldn't sleep.””
Maria's eyes filled again.
“I did.””
Ava reached out and touched her hand.
“Can you sing it tonight?””
Maria covered her mouth.
“Of course, baby.””
I turned away for a moment.
The tenderness between them was impossible to fake.
Then Maria looked at me.
“There's something else you need to know.””
“What?””
“Simone didn't act alone.””
I stared at her.
“What are you talking about?””
Maria glanced toward the hallway.
“The doctor who handled the paperwork was Dr. Richard Hale.””
I recognized the name.
He had been Simone's obstetrician.
Maria continued.
“He was the one who changed the records.””
I took a step toward her.
“Are you certain?””
“I saw him remove the original identification bands. I saw him sign the transfer form.””
“Why would a doctor risk his career?””
Maria looked at Ava.
“Because Simone's father owned part of the hospital.””
My stomach tightened.
Simone's father, William Brooks, had died three years earlier.
He had been a wealthy investor and one of the most influential men in the city.
I remembered him as a charming man who loved expensive cars and expensive conversations.
He had also been the person who introduced me to Simone.
“Was he involved?”” I asked.
Maria nodded.
“He arranged everything.””
Before I could ask another question, my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I answered.
“Daniel Carter.””
A man's voice came through.
“Mr. Carter, this is Dr. Richard Hale.””
I looked at Maria.
She had gone completely pale.
“How did you get my number?”” I asked.
“Your wife contacted me. She says Maria has been making serious allegations.””
I said nothing.
The doctor continued.
“Listen carefully. You need to stop asking questions about that night.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“Why?””
There was a pause.
Then he said something I would never forget.
“Because the child you believe is your daughter may not be the only child whose identity was changed.””
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Maria slowly lowered herself into the nearest chair.
“Mr. Carter,” she whispered.
“What?””
Her eyes filled with terror.
“There were two babies in those bassinets.””
May you like
She looked at Ava.
“And there was a third woman who came to the hospital that night.””
