Chapter 6 - The Birth Record
Aaron demanded a DNA test.
Laura didn't resist.
“I gave birth to you.”
“You just saw the photograph.”
“I remember delivering you.”
“Then prove it.”
The words hurt her.
But Aaron was right.
Truth required evidence now.
The maternity records showed Laura Mitchell delivered a male infant on October 11, 2007.
But the hospital had closed years ago.
Several archived pages were missing.
Aaron's original newborn screening had been amended three days after birth.
Why?
No explanation.
Then DNA results arrived.
Laura was Aaron's biological mother.
Aaron cried with relief.
So did Laura.
Rebecca had not given birth to him.
Then why the message?
Because it was designed to make someone question Aaron's identity.
Michael's notes provided another clue.
Rebecca had been pregnant around the same time as Laura.
Her child was also a boy.
Born within days of Aaron.
Two sisters.
Two baby boys.
One officially dead woman.
One public mother.
Laura whispered:
“She had a son.”
Aaron understood.
The message did not mean nobody knew which woman gave birth to Aaron.
It meant outsiders were deliberately confusing the boys' identities.
“Where is Rebecca's son?”
Nobody knew.
Then Brent suddenly looked ill.
“My birthday.”
Aaron turned.
“What?”
Brent was born six months before Rebecca's supposed death.
So not him.
But Daniel and Brent's mother, Susan, later adopted a second child.
A boy named Evan.
Evan was seventeen.
Daniel claimed Evan's biological parents were unknown.
Brent called home.
No answer.
Then Susan called back crying.
Police had arrived.
Evan was gone.
His room had been emptied.
On his pillow was the silver bracelet from Michael's cedar box.
The bracelet supposedly belonged to Rebecca.
Aaron whispered:
“Evan is her son.”
Possibly.
DNA confirmed it two days later.
Rebecca was Evan's biological mother.
Daniel Calloway was his biological grandfather.
And Susan had unknowingly raised her husband's hidden grandson.
Daniel had arranged the adoption.
Brent stared at the result.
“My dad knew?”
Laura whispered:
“He must have.”
That explained Daniel's disappearance.
But not Evan's.
Then Aaron received a message.
From Evan.
STOP LOOKING FOR MY MOTHER.
Aaron called immediately.
Evan answered.
“Where are you?”
“Safe.”
“Is Rebecca with you?”
Silence.
Aaron's heartbeat accelerated.
“Evan.”
Then a woman's voice came through.
Older.
Calm.
Familiar somehow despite Aaron never hearing it before.
“Hello, little brother.”
Aaron froze.
May you like
Rebecca.
Alive.
