Chapter 6 - THE NAME ON THE FILE
The name was Victor Hale.
Emma had never heard it before.
Daniel immediately looked away.
The officer noticed.
"You know him?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Yes."
Emma's stomach tightened.
"Who is he?"
Daniel didn't answer.
Margaret finally spoke.
"Victor is a private security consultant."
Emma looked at her.
"Why was he investigating me?"
Margaret sighed.
"Because we were concerned about Lily."
"Concerned about what?"
Margaret glanced at Daniel.
"Her father."
Emma frowned.
"Daniel is her father."
Margaret shook her head.
"That's not what I mean."
The room went silent.
Daniel's face changed.
"Mom."
Margaret stopped.
Emma stared at him.
"What does that mean?"
Daniel said nothing.
Emma looked at Lily.
Then back at Daniel.
"Tell me."
The officer interrupted.
"Mr. Carter, this is becoming relevant."
Daniel swallowed.
"Victor was hired to investigate Lily's biological records."
Emma felt the room tilt.
"What records?"
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Her birth records."
Emma remembered Lily's birth.
The hospital.
The long night.
Daniel holding her hand.
The moment Lily was placed against her chest.
Everything suddenly felt different.
"Why?"
Daniel whispered:
"Because there was an error."
Emma stared at him.
"What error?"
Daniel didn't answer.
Margaret stepped forward.
"The hospital made a mistake."
Emma's voice broke.
"What mistake?"
The officer looked between them.
"Let's take this one step at a time."
Emma shook her head.
"No."
She wanted the truth now.
Daniel finally looked at her.
"Lily's original records were altered."
Emma felt numb.
"Why?"
Daniel's eyes filled with regret.
"Because someone wanted her identity changed."
Emma looked down at her daughter.
The little girl had no idea what was happening.
The room suddenly felt too bright.
Too quiet.
Then the officer's phone rang.
He listened.
His expression changed.
He looked at Emma.
"We found Victor."
Emma's heart pounded.
"Where?"
May you like
The officer paused.
"At the hospital where Lily was born."
