Chapter 15 - CHARLES'S SECRET
Everything changed again.
If Charles knew about Evan’s embryo transfer, then Margaret had lied about acting against his wishes.
Martin looked devastated.
“I never saw this document.”
The judge recessed the hearing.
We went into a conference room.
Claire sat across from us.
She stared at Charles’s signature.
“I never met him.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“He was dead before you became pregnant.”
“Then the signature is forged.”
Sarah disagreed.
“I compared it to verified samples.”
James looked at her.
“And?”
“It is almost certainly authentic.”
Nobody spoke.
Martin suddenly stood.
“There is one possibility.”
“What?”
“Charles signed blank medical authorizations.”
“Why would he do that?”
“He had cancer.”
Martin paced.
“In his final year he signed dozens of documents relating to tissue storage, genetic samples, experimental therapies.”
Margaret could have obtained one.
But Sarah shook her head.
“The ink is consistent across the page.”
Meaning Charles probably signed after the form was completed.
Claire looked terrified.
“Then somebody lied to me about when the embryo transfer plan began.”
I thought about Charles’s letter.
He warned me about the embryo.
He claimed he wanted it destroyed.
But maybe Charles had secrets too.
Martin opened his briefcase.
“There was another letter.”
James snapped his head toward him.
“You have got to be kidding.”
“It was not addressed to Emily.”
“To whom?”
“Margaret.”
Martin removed a sealed copy.
“I kept it because Charles ordered me to.”
“Did Margaret receive the original?”
“Yes.”
“What did it say?”
Martin hesitated.
Then he read.
Margaret,
If you proceed with the pregnancy plan after my death, understand that no resulting child will restore our marriage, repair your choices, or become a weapon against James.
James looked confused.
“Against me?”
Martin continued.
You are correct that James is not biologically ours.
You are wrong that this makes him less my son.
If you create another child because you believe blood deserves more than love, I will make certain your obsession costs you the thing you value most.
The company.
Silence.
Charles knew Margaret wanted a biological child.
He had not authorized it.
He had anticipated it.
Then why was his signature on Claire’s form?
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I almost ignored it.
Then I answered.
“Emily Whitmore?”
“Yes.”
“This is Dr. Sarah Patel at St. Catherine’s Hospital.”
My stomach dropped.
“Is this about Reeves?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“He regained consciousness.”
Relief hit me.
Then she continued.
“He asked us to contact you.”
“Why?”
“He says he lied to you last night.”
I gripped the phone.
“About what?”
“Charles Whitmore’s signature.”
I looked at James.
The doctor continued.
“Dr. Reeves says Charles never signed Claire Marsh’s embryo-transfer form.”
“Then who did?”
“He says there was only one person who could reproduce Charles Whitmore’s signature perfectly.”
“Who?”
May you like
There was a pause.
“James.”
