Chapter 6 - Why Claire Said “Whose Baby”
Claire’s poolside line—
“Ask your husband whose baby that is”—
had two meanings.
At the time Claire believed miscarriage tissue might prove embryo mix-up.
She did not know exactly whose embryo.
She knew Ethan was genetically connected according to paternal marker, but maternal mismatch report she had read was based on wrong comparison file.
Wait if final says Emma+Ethan, maternal profile should match Emma. Why had report shown maternal not Emma? We need reconcile. Could be comparison used Emma's outdated cheek swab mislabeled? Better no. Let's adjust: preliminary report said maternal contribution "not attributable to carrier" and patient counsel misread as not Emma? Hmm earlier I said not Emma. Need resolve plausibly: the "Emma reference" file actually belonged to a different Emma Hayes? That's messy. Instead we can say report used PGT profile of EH-17 as comparator and showed mismatch, not direct Emma genotype. The wording Claire interpreted as "not Emma's embryo" but actually only "not EH-17". Let's fix within story: Claire's attorney told her maternal profile inconsistent with EH-17, not with Emma herself. So "whose baby" question was about which embryo, not whether Emma genetic mother. Great.
She carried EH-12.
Genetic mother Emma.
Genetic father Ethan.
Claire was gestational carrier.
Thus no paternity twist.
Then why affair?
Claire and Ethan met after loss.
Both grieving.
Ethan also carrying guilt over unauthorized transfer.
Claire carrying grief + anger at clinic.
They began emotional intimacy.
Then physical.
Claire initially believed Ethan had not knowingly bypassed Emma.
When she learned he had known clearance changed, she almost ended affair.
Did not.
Why?
She had already become attached.
Another bad choice.
Then Ethan’s version.
He did not pursue Claire because she carried embryo? He contacted for gratitude/closure.
But he crossed boundary fast.
He admitted emotional state no excuse.
Emma asked:
“Did you love her?”
Silence.
“Yes.”
Claire looked surprised.
Ethan continued:
“I thought I did.”
Claire hardened.
That hurt.
Emma asked Claire:
“Did you love him?”
Claire said:
“I loved being understood.”
Not same.
The affair had been built partly on shared secret.
Secrets feel intimate.
Then when clinic settlement emerged, Claire realized Ethan might absorb scandal privately again.
She came to mansion.
Why poolside?
Ethan asked meet outside because Emma was supposed away for work.
Emma returned early.
Saw Claire.
Argument escalated.
Claire taunted.
Emma demanded truth.
Claire physically attacked first—kicked Emma into pool.
Why?
Emma had tried grab Claire’s purse containing ultrasound? Need prompt says Claire kicks from behind; maybe Emma turned away to leave, Claire kicked in rage after Emma called her liar. Let's set.
Emma had turned away saying:
“You’re nothing but his mistake.”
Claire snapped and kicked.
No defense.
Then Emma emerged and slapped Ethan.
Why Ethan?
“You knew.”
Because at that moment Emma believed Ethan knew pregnancy before affair.
True.
Then Emma dragged Claire and shoved pool.
Retaliation.
All three could have walked away.
No glorification.
Security footage later reviewed.
Emma and Claire both chose aggression.
Ethan did not strike.
Then legal matters separated.
Claire assault.
Emma retaliation.
No convenient immunity.
But central mystery now bigger:
Why did Dr. Cole and Laura Price initially tell Claire EH-17 was transferred if tank audit showed otherwise?
Because they did not know.
Yet three weeks after miscarriage, Laura had written an internal incident note:
POSSIBLE STRAW ID DISCREPANCY.
That note was never sent to patients.
Who closed incident?
Dr. Cole.
Reason:
Insufficient evidence; avoid unnecessary distress pending annual tank audit.
He buried warning.
Not for money?
Clinic acquisition was underway.
A reportable embryo-identification incident could jeopardize deal.
Now motive emerges.
May you like
Not initial error conspiracy.
Cover-up after suspicion.
