Chapter 9: The DNA Test That Chapter 9: The DNA Test That Changed Everything
At 7: Changed Everything
At 7:15 the following morning, Jasmine sat inside a private15 the following morning, Jasmine sat inside a private DNA testing clinic, watching a DNA testing clinic, watching a technician label two sample tubes.
One belonged to her.
The other belonged to Thomas.
technician label two sample tubes.
One belonged to her.
The other belonged to Thomas.
The results would determine whether she was biologically related to the man who had spent twenty-two years searching for a missing daughter.
But after Patricia's phone call,The results would determine whether she was biologically related to the man who had spent twenty-two years searching for a missing daughter.
But after Patricia's phone call, Jasmine had begun to fear that even the truth might not be what it appeared to be.
Thomas sat beside her, his hands clasped Jasmine had begun to fear that even the truth might not be what it appeared to be.
Thomas sat beside her, his hands clasped between his knees.
Ryan stood near the window, staring at the parking lot.
Denise had refused between his knees.
Ryan stood near the window, staring at the parking lot.
Denise had refused to leave Jasmine's side.
Nobody had slept.
“Ms. Bell,” the technician said to leave Jasmine's side.
Nobody had slept.
“Ms. Bell,” the technician said gently, “the expedited results should be available this afternoon.””
Jasmine nodded.
“Thank you.””
When gently, “the expedited results should be available this afternoon.””
Jasmine nodded.
“Thank you.””
When the technician left, Thomas turned toward her.
“I need to explain something.””
Jasmine looked at him.
“About the night I was born?””
He nodded.
For the technician left, Thomas turned toward her.
“I need to explain something.””
Jasmine looked at him.
“About the night I was born?””
He nodded.
For twenty-two years, Thomas had remembered that night as a terrible but straightforward event. Evelyn had delivered twins. One twenty-two years, Thomas had remembered that night as a terrible but straightforward event.
Evelyn had delivered twins. One baby had died, and the other had survived. Months later, their surviving daughter had disappeared.
It was baby had died, and the other had survived. Months later, their surviving daughter had disappeared.
It was the story he had told himself because it was the only story he could bear.
But the documents in unit 317 had revealed something different.
“I was in the hospital when Evelyn went the story he had told himself because it was the only story he could bear.
But the documents in unit 317 had revealed something different.
“I was in the hospital when Evelyn went into labor,” Thomas began.
“The delivery took longer than expected. Near midnight, a nurse told me there had been complications.””
“What into labor,” Thomas began.
“The delivery took longer than expected. Near midnight, a nurse told me there had been complications.””
“What kind of complications?”” Jasmine asked.
“She said one baby had stopped breathing. Another nurse came out later and told me they had saved the surviving kind of complications?”” Jasmine asked.
“She said one baby had stopped breathing. Another nurse came out later and told me they had saved the surviving child.””
Denise looked down.
“Did you see the baby?””
Thomas nodded.
“I saw a little girl wrapped in a white blanket. Evelyn held her child.””
Denise looked down.
“Did you see the baby?””
Thomas nodded.
“I saw a little girl wrapped in a white blanket. Evelyn held her for a few minutes before they took her back for observation.””
“Was she wearing a necklace?”” Jasmine asked.
for a few minutes before they took her back for observation.””
“Was she wearing a necklace?”” Jasmine asked.
Thomas shook his head.
“No. The necklace was given to her afterward.””
“Did you know there were two braceletsThomas shook his head.
“No. The necklace was given to her afterward.””
“Did you know there were two bracelets?””
“No.””
Jasmine leaned back in her chair.
“Then how do we know which baby you saw?””
Thomas's?””
“No.””
Jasmine leaned back in her chair.
“Then how do we know which baby you saw?””
Thomas's expression tightened.
“We don't.””
The admission hurt more than Jasmine expected.
She had come to the clinic hoping expression tightened.
“We don't.””
The admission hurt more than Jasmine expected.
She had come to the clinic hoping for a clean answer. A test. A number. A result that could put the past into a box and close for a clean answer.
A test. A number. A result that could put the past into a box and close the lid.
Instead, every answer opened another door.
Ryan approached the chairs.
“Whatever the test says, we'll the lid.
Instead, every answer opened another door.
Ryan approached the chairs.
“Whatever the test says, we'll keep looking.””
Jasmine gave him a tired smile.
“You've been saying that since this keep looking.””
Jasmine gave him a tired smile.
“You've been saying that since this started.””
“Because I mean it.””
She looked at him for a long moment.
Then she asked the question neither of them had wanted started.””
“Because I mean it.””
She looked at him for a long moment.
Then she asked the question neither of them had wanted to discuss.
“If I'm your sister, what happens to us?””
Ryan's expression changed.
“We figure it out.””
“And if I'm not?””
He to discuss.
“If I'm your sister, what happens to us?””
Ryan's expression changed.
“We figure it out.””
“And if I'm not?””
He sat beside her.
“Then we'll figure that out, too.””
Jasmine nodded, but her eyes filled with tears.
“I don't want sat beside her.
“Then we'll figure that out, too.””
Jasmine nodded, but her eyes filled with tears.
“I don't want this to destroy everything.””
Ryan gently took her hand.
“It doesn't have to.””
For the first time that morning, Thomas looked this to destroy everything.””
Ryan gently took her hand.
“It doesn't have to.””
For the first time that morning, Thomas looked away.
He had seen the way his son held Jasmine's hand. He had seen the tenderness between them before either of them knew away.
He had seen the way his son held Jasmine's hand. He had seen the tenderness between them before either of them knew about the missing sister.
And he had been afraid to say aloud what the revelation might mean for their relationship about the missing sister.
And he had been afraid to say aloud what the revelation might mean for their relationship.
He had to know the truth.
Not just for himself.
For both of them.
At 11:40.
He had to know the truth.
Not just for himself.
For both of them.
At 11:40 a.m., a call came from the clinic.
The preliminary results were ready.
They returned to the examination room together a.m., a call came from the clinic.
The preliminary results were ready.
They returned to the examination room together.
The technician placed a sealed envelope on the table.
“Before I explain the results, I want to clarify something,” she said.
“A DNA.
The technician placed a sealed envelope on the table.
“Before I explain the results, I want to clarify something,” she said.
“A DNA relationship test can establish whether two people are biologically related, but it cannot tell us their identities or the relationship test can establish whether two people are biologically related, but it cannot tell us their identities or the circumstances of a birth. For that, we need additional evidence.””
Thomas nodded.
“Understood.””
The technician opened the report circumstances of a birth. For that, we need additional evidence.””
Thomas nodded.
“Understood.””
The technician opened the report.
“Mr. Carter, the results show a parent-child relationship between you and Jasmine Bell, with a probability exceeding 99.99 percent.””
Nobody.
“Mr. Carter, the results show a parent-child relationship between you and Jasmine Bell, with a probability exceeding 99.99 percent.””
Nobody spoke.
Jasmine stared at the report.
Thomas covered his mouth.
Ryan turned away from the window, his eyes shining.
For one extraordinary spoke.
Jasmine stared at the report.
Thomas covered his mouth.
Ryan turned away from the window, his eyes shining.
For one extraordinary moment, the room held nothing but relief.
Thomas rose slowly and approached Jasmine.
“Amelia?””
She looked moment, the room held nothing but relief.
Thomas rose slowly and approached Jasmine.
“Amelia?””
She looked up at him.
“I don't know what name I'm supposed to answer to anymore.””
Thomas's face crumpled up at him.
“I don't know what name I'm supposed to answer to anymore.””
Thomas's face crumpled.
“Then I won't ask you to choose one today.””
He knelt beside her chair.
“Whatever name you use, whatever.
“Then I won't ask you to choose one today.””
He knelt beside her chair.
“Whatever name you use, whatever you decide about your life, you're my daughter.””
Jasmine began to cry.
She reached for him, and Thomas wrapped his arms you decide about your life, you're my daughter.””
Jasmine began to cry.
She reached for him, and Thomas wrapped his arms around her.
He held her carefully, as though she were still the tiny child he had once carried through the house.
“I looked around her.
He held her carefully, as though she were still the tiny child he had once carried through the house.
“I looked for you,” he whispered.
“God, sweetheart, I looked everywhere.””
Jasmine pressed her face against his shoulder.
“I know.””
“I never for you,” he whispered.
“God, sweetheart, I looked everywhere.””
Jasmine pressed her face against his shoulder.
“I know.””
“I never stopped loving you.””
“I know.””
Ryan stood beside them, wiping his eyes.
Then the technician cleared her throat gently.
“There's stopped loving you.””
“I know.””
Ryan stood beside them, wiping his eyes.
Then the technician cleared her throat gently.
“There's one additional point I'd like to discuss.””
Thomas released Jasmine and turned.
“What is it?””
“The report establishes that Jasmine is your biological daughter. However, it doesn't determine whether she is the child recorded as Amelia Carter in the one additional point I'd like to discuss.””
Thomas released Jasmine and turned.
“What is it?””
“The report establishes that Jasmine is your biological daughter. However, it doesn't determine whether she is the child recorded as Amelia Carter in the historical documents.””
Thomas frowned.
“But if she's my daughter—”
“Your biological daughter could be either historical documents.””
Thomas frowned.
“But if she's my daughter—”
“Your biological daughter could be either twin. If two genetically identical twins were involved, standard DNA testing would not distinguish between them. Even with fraternal twins, the report would establish twin.
If two genetically identical twins were involved, standard DNA testing would not distinguish between them. Even with fraternal twins, the report would establish parentage, not which identity belonged to which child.””
Jasmine went still.
“Are you saying I could be either parentage, not which identity belonged to which child.””
Jasmine went still.
“Are you saying I could be either baby?””
“Based on the evidence currently available, yes.””
The relief in the room dissolved into uncertainty.
Thomas stared at the report.
The test had baby?””
“Based on the evidence currently available, yes.””
The relief in the room dissolved into uncertainty.
Thomas stared at the report.
The test had answered one question.
It had not answered the question that had haunted him for twenty-two years.
Was Jasmine the child who disappeared from their home?
Or had someone given her another answered one question.
It had not answered the question that had haunted him for twenty-two years.
Was Jasmine the child who disappeared from their home?
Or had someone given her another child's name?
The clinic technician returned the report to its envelope.
“I recommend child's name?
The clinic technician returned the report to its envelope.
“I recommend that you preserve all original hospital records and consult a specialist in historical medical documentation. The records may help establish the circumstances of the birth.””
Thomas thanked her, that you preserve all original hospital records and consult a specialist in historical medical documentation. The records may help establish the circumstances of the birth.””
Thomas thanked her, but he barely heard the rest.
As they left the clinic, Denise walked beside Jasmine.
“I'm but he barely heard the rest.
As they left the clinic, Denise walked beside Jasmine.
“I'm sorry,” she whispered.
Jasmine stopped near the car.
“Mom, did you know this was possible?””
Denise shook her head.
“No. I never knew you had a twin until Patricia told sorry,” she whispered.
Jasmine stopped near the car.
“Mom, did you know this was possible?””
Denise shook her head.
“No. I never knew you had a twin until Patricia told me.””
“But you knew the records were wrong.””
“I knew someone had lied. I didn't know how far it went.””
Jasmine me.””
“But you knew the records were wrong.””
“I knew someone had lied. I didn't know how far it went.””
Jasmine studied her face.
For the first time, she could see the difference between the woman who had loved her and the woman who had concealed the studied her face.
For the first time, she could see the difference between the woman who had loved her and the woman who had concealed the truth.
They were the same person.
That made everything harder.
“I need some time,” Jasmine said.
Denise nodded.
“You can have all the time you need.””
Jasmine climbed truth.
They were the same person.
That made everything harder.
“I need some time,” Jasmine said.
Denise nodded.
“You can have all the time you need.””
Jasmine climbed into Ryan's car.
Thomas followed in his own vehicle, carrying the DNA report and the photograph of the two newborn into Ryan's car.
Thomas followed in his own vehicle, carrying the DNA report and the photograph of the two newborns.
They drove to the hospital named in the original transfer documents.
The building had changed namess.
They drove to the hospital named in the original transfer documents.
The building had changed names twice since 2004, but the medical records department still maintained an archive of older patient files.
Thomas presented the documents he twice since 2004, but the medical records department still maintained an archive of older patient files.
Thomas presented the documents he had recovered and explained that he was investigating a family medical history involving falsified records.
The records supervisor, a had recovered and explained that he was investigating a family medical history involving falsified records.
The records supervisor, a woman named Mrs. Coleman, listened without interrupting.
When he finished, she studied the photograph of the two babies.
“Mr woman named Mrs. Coleman, listened without interrupting.
When he finished, she studied the photograph of the two babies.
“Mr. Carter,” she said, “these records should not have been accessible to anyone outside the hospital administration. Carter,” she said, “these records should not have been accessible to anyone outside the hospital administration.””
Thomas leaned forward.
“Can you tell us whether two girls were born that night?””
Mrs. Coleman hesitated.
“The original delivery.””
Thomas leaned forward.
“Can you tell us whether two girls were born that night?””
Mrs. Coleman hesitated.
“The original delivery summary lists twins. Both were recorded as living.””
Jasmine's breath caught.
“Both?””
“Yes.””
Thomas gripped the edge of the desk.
“Then why was I told one had died?””
Mrs. Coleman summary lists twins. Both were recorded as living.””
Jasmine's breath caught.
“Both?””
“Yes.””
Thomas gripped the edge of the desk.
“Then why was I told one had died?””
Mrs. Coleman looked down at the papers.
“Someone amended the record three days later.””
“Who?””
She turned the page.
The looked down at the papers.
“Someone amended the record three days later.””
“Who?””
She turned the page.
The amendment carried the name of the attending physician.
Dr. Samuel Reeves.
Thomas recognized the name from the confession.
amendment carried the name of the attending physician.
Dr. Samuel Reeves.
Thomas recognized the name from the confession.
“Is he still alive?””
Mrs. Coleman shook her head.
“He died in 2018.””
Ryan leaned forward.
““Is he still alive?””
Mrs. Coleman shook her head.
“He died in 2018.””
Ryan leaned forward.
“Was there an investigation?””
“Not that I can see.””
JWas there an investigation?””
“Not that I can see.””
Jasmine stared at the record.
“If both babies were alive, why did everyone say one had died?””
Mrs. Coleman opened another folder.
“This isasmine stared at the record.
“If both babies were alive, why did everyone say one had died?””
Mrs. Coleman opened another folder.
“This is unusual. The original nursery log shows two bassinets, two identification bracelets, and two separate discharge authorizations.””
She paused unusual. The original nursery log shows two bassinets, two identification bracelets, and two separate discharge authorizations.””
She paused.
“But only one discharge authorization was completed.””
Thomas felt a chill run down his spine.
“Which child went home?””
Mrs.
“But only one discharge authorization was completed.””
Thomas felt a chill run down his spine.
“Which child went home?””
Mrs. Coleman looked at the final page.
“The surviving discharge record identifies Baby B as being released to Thomas and Evelyn Carter. Coleman looked at the final page.
“The surviving discharge record identifies Baby B as being released to Thomas and Evelyn Carter.””
Jasmine touched her pendant.
“That's me.””
“Possibly,” Mrs. Coleman replied.
“But the record doesn't tell us whether.””
Jasmine touched her pendant.
“That's me.””
“Possibly,” Mrs. Coleman replied.
“But the record doesn't tell us whether the bracelets were switched before discharge.””
Ryan stared at the document.
“Who signed it?””
Mrs. Coleman turned the paper around.
Thomas looked the bracelets were switched before discharge.””
Ryan stared at the document.
“Who signed it?””
Mrs. Coleman turned the paper around.
Thomas looked at the signature.
His heart seemed to stop.
The authorization had been signed by Evelyn Carter.
Beneath it, in smaller handwriting, was a at the signature.
His heart seemed to stop.
The authorization had been signed by Evelyn Carter.
Beneath it, in smaller handwriting, was a witness signature.
*Denise Bell.*
Jasmine turned toward her mother.
Denise had gone witness signature.
*Denise Bell.*
Jasmine turned toward her mother.
Denise had gone completely still.
“You said you never met my birth parents,” Jasmine completely still.
“You said you never met my birth parents,” Jasmine whispered.
Denise's lips trembled.
“I didn't.””
“Then why is your signature on a hospital document from the night I was born?””
Denise shook her head frantically.
“I whispered.
Denise's lips trembled.
“I didn't.””
“Then why is your signature on a hospital document from the night I was born?””
Denise shook her head frantically.
“I don't know.””
Thomas pointed to the date.
“This document is from October 18, 2004. You said you found Jasmine outside the church that don't know.””
Thomas pointed to the date.
“This document is from October 18, 2004. You said you found Jasmine outside the church that night.””
“I did!””
“Then how could you have signed a hospital discharge authorization before you found her?””
Denise began to cry.
night.””
“I did!””
“Then how could you have signed a hospital discharge authorization before you found her?””
Denise began to cry.
“I don't know!””
Mrs. Coleman carefully took the paper back.
“I can arrange for a formal“I don't know!””
Mrs. Coleman carefully took the paper back.
“I can arrange for a formal review of the original records, but I cannot authenticate this signature or explain the discrepancy.””
Jasmine stepped review of the original records, but I cannot authenticate this signature or explain the discrepancy.””
Jasmine stepped away from the desk.
Her face was pale.
“Mom, look at me.””
Denise raised away from the desk.
Her face was pale.
“Mom, look at me.””
Denise raised her eyes.
“Did you ever enter this hospital before you found me?””
“No.””
“Did you ever meet Evelyn Carter?””
“No.””
“Did you ever sign anything her eyes.
“Did you ever enter this hospital before you found me?””
“No.””
“Did you ever meet Evelyn Carter?””
“No.””
“Did you ever sign anything for my biological parents?””
“No, Jasmine. I swear.””
Jasmine stared at her.
Then she looked at for my biological parents?””
“No, Jasmine. I swear.””
Jasmine stared at her.
Then she looked at the document again.
The signature was unmistakably Denise's.
Thomas could see the resemblance even without being an expert.
Someone had the document again.
The signature was unmistakably Denise's.
Thomas could see the resemblance even without being an expert.
Someone had either forged the signature or Denise was lying.
There was no third possibility.
As they left the records department, Jasmine's phone either forged the signature or Denise was lying.
There was no third possibility.
As they left the records department, Jasmine's phone rang.
An unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice spoke softly.
“Jasmine, my name is Patricia Bell.””
Jasmine rang.
An unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice spoke softly.
“Jasmine, my name is Patricia Bell.””
Jasmine stopped walking.
“You're alive?””
“Yes.””
“Where are you?””
“I can't tell you that yet.””
Jasmine's voice stopped walking.
“You're alive?””
“Yes.””
“Where are you?””
“I can't tell you that yet.””
Jasmine's voice rose.
“Then why are you calling me?””
“Because you need to know the truth about the night you were born.””
Thomas reached rose.
“Then why are you calling me?””
“Because you need to know the truth about the night you were born.””
Thomas reached for the phone, but Jasmine stepped away.
“Tell me.””
Patricia took a shaky breath.
“Denise didn't steal for the phone, but Jasmine stepped away.
“Tell me.””
Patricia took a shaky breath.
“Denise didn't steal you from the hospital. She was supposed to take you home.””
Jasmine's eyes widened.
“What does that mean?””
“It means your biological mother knew exactly where you were going.””
Thomas froze.
Pat you from the hospital. She was supposed to take you home.””
Jasmine's eyes widened.
“What does that mean?””
“It means your biological mother knew exactly where you were going.””
Thomas froze.
Patricia continued.
“Evelyn arranged for one of her daughters to disappear because she believed it was the only wayricia continued.
“Evelyn arranged for one of her daughters to disappear because she believed it was the only way to save the other.””
Jasmine shook her head.
“No. That doesn't make sense.””
“I know.””
“Which daughter?””
Pat to save the other.””
Jasmine shook her head.
“No. That doesn't make sense.””
“I know.””
“Which daughter?””
Patricia was silent.
Then she said, “The one who was never supposed to survive.””
The call ended.
Jasmine stood in thericia was silent.
Then she said, “The one who was never supposed to survive.””
The call ended.
Jasmine stood in the hospital corridor, staring at her phone.
Thomas reached for her shoulder.
“Jasmine?””
She slowly turned toward him.
“Dad, I think hospital corridor, staring at her phone.
Thomas reached for her shoulder.
“Jasmine?””
She slowly turned toward him.
“Dad, I think my mother chose between us.””
Thomas's face crumpled.
“No. Your mother loved both of you.””
“Then my mother chose between us.””
Thomas's face crumpled.
“No. Your mother loved both of you.””
“Then why did she sign the papers?””
He had no answer.
A few minutes later, Mrs. Coleman hurried out of the records department why did she sign the papers?””
He had no answer.
A few minutes later, Mrs. Coleman hurried out of the records department carrying a newly discovered file.
“Mr. Carter!””
Thomas turned.
“I found something else.””
She opened the file carrying a newly discovered file.
“Mr. Carter!””
Thomas turned.
“I found something else.””
She opened the file and showed him a copy of a handwritten hospital note.
The writing was hurried, almost illegible.
But the final and showed him a copy of a handwritten hospital note.
The writing was hurried, almost illegible.
But the final sentence was clear.
*Mother insists Baby A must remain with the family. Baby B is sentence was clear.
Mother insists Baby A must remain with the family. Baby B is to be released under the alternate identity.
Thomas stared at the words.
Jasmine leaned closer.
“Baby B was released to Denise?””
to be released under the alternate identity.*
Thomas stared at the words.
Jasmine leaned closer.
“Baby B was released to Denise?””
Mrs. Coleman nodded.
“According to this note, yes.””
Thomas felt his knees weaken.
JasmineMrs. Coleman nodded.
“According to this note, yes.””
Thomas felt his knees weaken.
Jasmine had been raised by Denise.
The DNA test proved she was his daughter.
And the hospital record suggested that she had been the baby deliberately sent away had been raised by Denise.
The DNA test proved she was his daughter.
And the hospital record suggested that she had been the baby deliberately sent away.
But the final line of the note made everything worse.
*Mother states that Baby B is the one who must never.
But the final line of the note made everything worse.
Mother states that Baby B is the one who must never learn what happened to her sister.
Jasmine covered her mouth.
Thomas looked at the handwriting.
It wasn't learn what happened to her sister.*
Jasmine covered her mouth.
Thomas looked at the handwriting.
It wasn't Evelyn's.
It belonged to Arthur Whitmore.
And beneath the note was a final instruction, written in red ink.
**IF Evelyn's.
It belonged to Arthur Whitmore.
May you like
And beneath the note was a final instruction, written in red ink.
*IF THE GIRL EVER RETURNS, DO NOT LET HER MEET HER SISTER.*