Chapter 4: The Child Who Was Never Supposed to Exist
The birth certificate was fake.
At least that was what I wanted to believe.
But Detective Harris didn’t look like a man delivering good news.
He looked like a man preparing me for something impossible.
We sat in the police station while the rain hammered against the windows.
“David,” he said, “we need you to stay calm.””
I laughed bitterly.
“My son was trapped under my floor for eight months. I’m past calm.””
He placed the document on the table.
The name at the top made my stomach twist.
*Leo Michael Carter.*
Same name.
Same birthday.
Same father.
Mine.
But the mother’s name wasn’t Sarah.
It was Elina.
“No.””
I pushed the paper away.
“That’s impossible.””
Harris watched me.
“Did Elina ever tell you anything about Leo’s birth?””
“No.””
“Did Sarah ever mention complications?””
I swallowed.
Sarah had always avoided talking about the pregnancy.
She said it was difficult.
She said she didn’t want to remember the hospital.
I had respected that.
Now I wondered if I should have asked more questions.
When I got home, Leo was awake.
He was sitting on the couch with Mia.
The moment he saw me, he ran over.
I hugged him tightly.
“Daddy?””
“Yes?””
“Is Grandma angry?””
I looked at him.
“Why would you ask that?””
He lowered his voice.
“Because she said you would be.””
I knelt down.
“Leo, what did Grandma tell you?””
He looked around nervously.
“She said you weren’t my real dad.””
My heart cracked.
“What?””
“She said my real dad left before I was born.””
I held his shoulders.
“Leo, listen to me. I am your dad.””
He nodded.
“I know.””
Then he whispered:
“But Grandma said Mommy knew.””
That night, I searched through every box Sarah had left behind.
Letters.
Photos.
Medical records.
Anything.
At midnight, I found an envelope hidden inside an old journal.
My wife’s handwriting was on the front.
*For David. Open only if I cannot tell you myself.*
My hands shook as I opened it.
Inside was a letter.
David,
If you are reading this, something happened that I was afraid would happen.
Please believe me.
I loved you.
I loved Leo.
But there is something about his birth you deserve to know.
I never told you because I was scared.
Elina was obsessed with having a grandchild.
When I found out I couldn’t carry another baby after my miscarriage, she started acting strangely.
Then she told me she had a solution.
My eyes moved faster.
My breathing stopped.
Sarah had known.
She had known something was wrong.
The letter continued.
She said she found out Elina had been hiding medical records.
She said there was another child.
A child Elina had kept secret.
I reached the final paragraph.
*David, if Leo ever disappears, do not trust anyone who says they are trying to bring him home. They may be the reason he is gone.*
A noise came from behind me.
I turned.
Mia stood in the doorway.
“Daddy?””
I quickly folded the letter.
“What are you doing awake?””
She looked scared.
“Someone was outside.””
My body went tense.
“Who?””
She pointed toward the window.
“The lady who looks like Grandma.””
I walked toward the glass.
The street was empty.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message.
A photo.
It showed Mia sleeping.
Taken tonight.
From inside our house.
May you like
Under the picture were four words:
*I was always here.*
