Chapter 5 - The Investigation Deepens
Back in the pediatric wing, the atmosphere had shifted from chaotic drama to grim professionalism. Dr. Harrison intercepted me near the nurses' station, holding a thick manila folder.
“Dr. Hayes,” Dr. Harrison said, lowering his voice. “We have an update on the infant in Room 4.”
“Is he stable?” I asked immediately, pushing my personal family turmoil aside.
“The fever broke an hour ago, thanks to the targeted antibiotic. But social services and hospital legal have uncovered something disturbing regarding the mother’s background.” Dr. Harrison opened the folder. “When state records were cross-referenced with Chloe Vance’s medical intake, they found three previous aliases. She didn't just lie to your family, Clara. She has a history of financial fraud and paternity scams spanning two different states.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. “Paternity scams?”
“Yes. She targets high-earning professionals, entraps them or fabricates pregnancy claims, and then leverages the threat of public scandal or child support to extract settlements. Derek dodged a massive bullet when your marriage ended, even if it didn't feel like it at the time.”
I nodded slowly, remembering the sudden, aggressive way Chloe had inserted herself into our lives during our final months together—how she had constantly pushed me to work late shifts, claiming she would “keep Derek company” so he wouldn't be lonely while I was at the hospital.
“Where is she now?” I asked.
“Holding room B under police observation. The actual biological father was identified through a national database match an hour ago. He’s a venture capitalist from Boston whom Chloe targeted nine months ago. He’s already flying in.”
Just then, Derek walked up beside us, holding two fresh cups of black coffee. He handed one to me.
“I saw the cops escorting a lawyer into holding room B,” Derek said, looking at Dr. Harrison. “Is the real father found?”
“Found and notified,” Dr. Harrison confirmed. He gave us both a sympathetic nod before walking away toward the patient rooms.
Derek leaned against the nurse's station counter, sipping his coffee. “Your parents are still sitting in the cafeteria. Looked like a funeral down there.”
“They made their bed, Derek,” I said, blowing gently on the hot surface of my coffee. “I’m done trying to convince them of my worth. For ten years, I’ve tried to earn their approval while working myself to the bone. Today proved that no matter how much I achieve, they’ll always prefer a comfortable lie over an uncomfortable truth.”
“You deserved better, Clara,” Derek said softly. “You deserved better from them, and... you deserved better from me when our marriage was falling apart. I let Chloe’s noise cloud my judgment too.”
I looked over at him. The bitterness that had poisoned our divorce a year ago felt strangely distant now, washed away by the sheer absurdity of everything that had just unfolded.
“We were both young, stressed, and surrounded by a snake,” I said. “Let’s not rewrite history, Derek. Our marriage had cracks before Chloe ever picked up a hammer.”
“True,” he admitted, a faint, sad smile touching his lips. “But standing in this hallway today... watching you handle my family, your family, and a medical crisis with absolute ice in your veins... I remember why I fell in love with you in the first place.”
May you like
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed in my coat pocket. I pulled it out. It was a text message from an unknown number.
Dr. Hayes. Please come to the hospital exit lobby immediately. We need to talk about your sister’s next move.
