Chapter 6 - The Other Baby
Marianne initially thought she misunderstood.
Another embryo?
No.
Another newborn.
Helixor’s contract used deliberately vague language, but investigators tracing associated companies found a private adoption facilitator.
Bright Harbor Family Services.
Evan had opened a file with them four months before Marianne delivered.
Without Claire?
Claire swore she knew nothing.
Documents supported her.
Evan had listed himself as prospective adoptive parent and claimed his surrogacy arrangement was “medically uncertain.”
Marianne confronted him.
“You had a replacement baby waiting?”
His face remained controlled.
“That's an offensive description.”
“Then give me a better one.”
“A contingency.”
Marianne almost laughed.
“A child is not a contingency.”
Evan claimed he feared H-17 would be born seriously ill.
He wanted options.
“If our daughter had a catastrophic condition—”
“She doesn't.”
“We didn't know that.”
“You rejected her before a doctor diagnosed anything.”
“The mark confirmed—”
“Confirmed what?”
He stopped.
There.
He knew the mark proved nothing medically.
So what did it confirm to him?
Marianne stepped closer.
“You weren't scared she was sick.”
Silence.
“You were scared she was recognizable.”
Evan's expression changed.
Only slightly.
Enough.
Marianne felt cold.
“Recognizable to whom?”
He walked away.
That night the baby’s preliminary evaluations came back reassuring.
No neurological symptoms.
No immediate medical concerns.
The genetic variant required follow-up but did not establish disease.
Claire cried when told.
Relief?
Guilt?
Marianne couldn't tell.
Then Claire asked to hold her daughter.
Marianne hesitated.
A nurse supervised.
Claire cradled the baby.
The newborn opened her eyes.
Claire broke.
“I’m sorry.”
Marianne watched.
She wanted to believe her sister.
Then Claire touched the birthmark.
And whispered:
“You look exactly like her.”
Marianne heard.
“Like who?”
Claire froze.
“Margaret?”
Claire shook her head.
“No.”
“Then who?”
Before she answered, Evan entered.
Again, silence.
Marianne had enough.
She requested Claire be interviewed separately.
Rebecca agreed.
So did hospital social work.
Claire finally whispered a name.
“Lily.”
“Who is Lily?”
Claire covered her face.
“A baby Evan showed me.”
“When?”
“Six months ago.”
Photograph.
Newborn.
Same crescent-shaped mark.
Marianne's heart pounded.
“Where did he get the photograph?”
“I don't know.”
“Was Lily the replacement child?”
Claire shook her head violently.
“No. Lily died.”
“How?”
Claire whispered:
“That’s what Evan told me.”
May you like
Then:
“He said she was the reason we could never take home a baby with that mark.”
