Chapter 4: The Name on the Missing Report
"That sample was supposed to have been destroyed.""
Daniel's words hung in the living room.
I looked at him.
"What sample?""
He didn't answer.
Instead, he turned toward Marcus.
My husband had stopped pacing. His hands were clenched at his sides, and the color had drained from his face.
"Daniel," Marcus said quietly.
"You need to leave.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Not until she knows.""
I stepped between them.
"Nobody is leaving until someone tells me what is happening.""
My phone vibrated again.
Dr. Carter had sent another message.
*I have located the original laboratory record. You need to come to my office. Bring identification, and please do not let Marcus access your medical records again.*
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Marcus.
"Why would my doctor warn me about you?""
He shook his head.
"She's confused. Those records are complicated.""
"Then explain them.""
"Nia, listen to me. Daniel is trying to destroy my business. He has been doing this for months.""
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"You really are going to blame everyone except yourself?""
Marcus pointed at him.
"You signed the agreement.""
"And I regret it.""
Vanessa stood near the sofa, one hand pressed against her stomach.
"Can someone please tell me whether this baby is safe?""
For the first time, her question sounded genuine.
I turned toward her.
"Have you received proper prenatal care?""
She nodded.
"Yes. My doctor says the baby is developing normally.""
"Good. Then you should keep following your doctor's advice.""
Marcus stepped toward her.
"Don't involve yourself in this.""
Vanessa stared at him.
"You don't get to decide that anymore.""
I picked up my handbag.
"I'm going to Dr. Carter's office.""
Marcus immediately moved toward the front door.
"You're not going anywhere.""
I stopped.
"Excuse me?""
"We need to settle this as a family.""
I looked at the woman carrying his supposed child.
Then at Daniel.
Then back at him.
"Which family, Marcus?""
He had no answer.
I walked past him.
Outside, the afternoon sunlight was painfully bright.
My hands shook as I started the car.
I wasn't afraid of losing my marriage anymore.
I was afraid of discovering how much of my life had been built on a lie.
Dr. Helen Carter's office was on the fourth floor of a medical building downtown.
She was waiting when I arrived.
She closed the consultation room door behind me.
"Mrs. Bennett, thank you for coming.""
"Please tell me what my husband has been hiding.""
She opened a locked cabinet and removed a thick medical file.
"I reviewed your husband's original testing history after receiving a request for clarification. There are inconsistencies between the records you were given and the laboratory's archived documentation.""
"Such as?""
She placed two reports on the desk.
"The first report confirmed severe male-factor infertility. The second was a separate investigation involving a specimen submitted under your husband's authorization.""
I looked at the page.
There was a patient reference number.
A date.
And a name.
My name.
*NIA BENNETT.*
I frowned.
"Why is my name here?""
Dr. Carter folded her hands.
"Because the sample was originally submitted as part of a joint fertility investigation.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"Was it mine?""
"Yes. Your blood sample was used for genetic compatibility testing.""
I stared at her.
"What does that have to do with the missing specimen?""
She turned another page.
"The records indicate that your husband requested an additional comparison using a separate sample. That sample was submitted under a donor identification number.""
I leaned forward.
"Whose?""
Dr. Carter hesitated.
"Daniel Cross.""
The room became completely silent.
I remembered Daniel standing in my living room.
His confession.
His involvement in the donor arrangement.
But something still didn't make sense.
"Why would my blood be compared with Daniel's sample?""
Dr. Carter looked at me carefully.
"Because there was an earlier fertility investigation that Marcus requested before he began his relationship with Vanessa.""
I blinked.
"An earlier investigation?""
She nodded.
"Your husband asked whether a donor specimen could be evaluated for a potential fertility procedure involving you.""
My mouth went dry.
"With Daniel?""
"According to the archived paperwork, yes.""
I sat back.
"Did I agree to that?""
Dr. Carter shook her head.
"Your consent form was never completed.""
I looked down at my hands.
Marcus had been planning something involving Daniel and me without telling me.
But why?
"Was the specimen destroyed?""
"That is what the clinic's original record indicates. However, a subsequent inventory review shows that the disposal documentation was never finalized.""
My heart began racing.
"So it might still exist?""
"We cannot confirm that yet.""
I stared at the report.
Then I noticed another name printed near the bottom.
Not Daniel's.
Not Marcus's.
A third name.
*THOMAS BENNETT.*
My father's name.
I stopped breathing.
"My father?""
Dr. Carter looked surprised.
"You recognize this name?""
I nodded slowly.
"Thomas Bennett was my father. He died seven years ago.""
She closed the file.
"Then I believe you should speak with the records department before drawing any conclusions.""
I looked at her.
"Why would my father's name appear in my husband's fertility investigation?""
She didn't answer.
Instead, she handed me a photocopy.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
Historical specimen reference. Family authorization required.
I felt the room spinning.
My father had been dead for years.
And somehow, his name was connected to a medical investigation my husband had never told me about.
When I returned home, Marcus was waiting in the driveway.
He stood beside his black SUV, staring at my car.
I parked and stepped out.
"Where have you been?""
"Seeing my doctor.""
His eyes narrowed.
"What did she tell you?""
I held up the photocopy.
"Why is my father's name on your medical records?""
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he looked toward the house.
"Nia, we need to talk.""
I walked toward the front door.
"That's what you said before.""
He followed me inside.
May you like
And when I placed the document on the kitchen counter, he finally whispered something I had never expected to hear.
"Your father wasn't supposed to be involved.""
