Chapter 7: The Plan to Take My Daughter
Eleanor didn't sleep that night.
Neither did I.
By midnight, three security officers were stationed outside the guest residence, Richard Bennett had contacted the hospital's administration, and an emergency meeting had been arranged with the trust's independent legal team.
But none of that could erase the photograph on my phone.
The plan starts before she gives birth.
I kept reading those words, hoping they would somehow become less terrifying.
They didn't.
At 1:17 a.m., Richard called.
Eleanor answered immediately.
"Richard, what have you found?""
"We traced the photograph to an account associated with Vivian's consulting company. The hospital document appears to have been accessed through an unauthorized login.""
"Whose login?""
"An employee credential belonging to Daniel Mercer's office.""
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"That man has finally gone too far.""
Richard continued.
"There's another issue. Marcus contacted the hospital earlier today requesting information about Natalie's expected delivery date and the possibility of changing the authorized pickup arrangements after birth.""
My stomach dropped.
"Pickup arrangements?""
Richard paused.
"Apparently, he asked whether he could arrange for a private medical transport service to collect the baby after delivery.""
I stared at Eleanor.
"Why would he need a private transport service?""
Eleanor didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she asked Richard, "Did the hospital approve anything?""
"No. They flagged the request and contacted their legal department.""
I pressed both hands against my stomach.
My daughter moved gently beneath my palms.
"Can Marcus take her without me knowing?""
Richard's voice softened.
"Not through a legitimate hospital process. We are arranging additional safeguards, and you should discuss your delivery preferences directly with your medical team.""
After the call, Eleanor sat beside me.
"I promise nobody is taking your child.""
I wanted to believe her.
But the fear had already settled inside my chest.
At eight the following morning, we arrived at the hospital for a meeting with Dr. Collins and the patient safety coordinator.
I was exhausted.
Eleanor stayed beside me while Richard reviewed the documents with the hospital's legal representative.
Dr. Collins examined me before speaking.
"Your daughter is doing well. However, I want you to avoid unnecessary stress. If you experience contractions, bleeding, or reduced fetal movement, contact us immediately.""
I nodded.
The patient safety coordinator, a woman named Angela, explained the additional security procedures.
"Your medical information will be restricted to authorized personnel. We can also place a privacy alert on your record.""
"Can my husband still visit?""
Angela looked at me carefully.
"That's your decision. We can document your preferences and follow the hospital's security procedures.""
I thought about Marcus standing between me and Vivian.
I remembered his expression when I asked whether he had used my signature.
And I remembered the photograph.
"No," I said.
"Not unless I specifically authorize it.""
Eleanor squeezed my hand.
"That's your choice, sweetheart.""
Just as the meeting ended, a nurse entered.
"Mrs. Hale, there's someone downstairs asking to see you.""
I immediately stiffened.
"Who?""
The nurse checked her tablet.
"Mr. Marcus Hale.""
Eleanor stood.
"Tell security he isn't authorized.""
But the nurse looked uncomfortable.
"He says he has an appointment with the attending physician.""
I looked at Dr. Collins.
"I didn't arrange that.""
Dr. Collins frowned.
"Neither did I.""
Angela left to investigate.
A few minutes later, my phone rang.
Marcus.
I didn't answer.
Then a message appeared.
I know you're there. We need to talk about our daughter.
Another message followed.
Please don't let my mother turn you against me.
Eleanor read the messages over my shoulder.
"He still thinks this is about me.""
Before I could respond, the door opened.
Angela returned with a security officer.
"Mrs. Hale, Mr. Marcus is downstairs with an attorney. They are requesting access to your medical records.""
My blood ran cold.
"Why?""
"They claim he has parental rights and needs information concerning the expected delivery.""
Eleanor turned toward Richard.
"Can he legally demand that information?""
Richard shook his head.
"Not through an informal request, and certainly not by bypassing her medical privacy.""
He looked at me.
"Natalie, I recommend that we document everything and have the hospital's legal department handle the request.""
I nodded.
Then Eleanor's phone rang.
She answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through the speaker.
"Mrs. Hale, this is Daniel Mercer. I believe we need to discuss your daughter's financial situation.""
Eleanor's face hardened.
"She is not your daughter.""
"I understand. But I am representing Marcus in a personal capacity.""
"After submitting documents containing forged signatures?""
There was a pause.
"Those allegations are unproven.""
Eleanor looked at Richard.
"Everything is being investigated.""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Perhaps we can avoid unnecessary complications. Marcus is prepared to make a substantial financial settlement if Natalie agrees to withdraw her objections.""
I almost laughed.
"How much?""
Eleanor placed the phone on speaker.
Daniel hesitated.
"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""
I stared at the phone.
"You're offering me money to stop investigating the person who forged my signature?""
"We're discussing a private resolution.""
"No. You're discussing buying my silence.""
Daniel sighed.
"Mrs. Hale, you should consider your daughter's future. Legal disputes can become expensive.""
I leaned closer.
"My daughter deserves a father who doesn't use her name to steal money.""
The call ended.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Richard's phone vibrated.
He read the notification and looked up.
"There's been a development.""
"What?"" Eleanor asked.
"The bank has identified the destination account for the attempted transfer.""
"Where?""
Richard turned the screen toward us.
The account belonged to a company registered under Vivian's name.
But the account's authorized financial controller was someone else.
I looked closer.
The name appeared beneath the company details.
Marcus Hale.
Richard scrolled down.
"There are also records of a second planned transfer. This one is significantly larger.""
Eleanor frowned.
"How large?""
"Approximately six million dollars.""
My stomach tightened.
"Six million?""
"Yes. The transaction was scheduled for the morning after the baby's expected delivery.""
I felt dizzy.
They hadn't merely planned to steal the inheritance.
They had planned the timing around my daughter's birth.
Then Richard noticed another attachment.
He opened it.
It was an email exchange between Marcus and Daniel.
One sentence stood out.
Once the child is born, we need to ensure Natalie cannot challenge the guardianship arrangement.
I looked at Eleanor.
"What guardianship arrangement?""
She didn't answer.
Richard opened the attached document.
And the first line made my entire body go numb.
It was an application requesting temporary guardianship of my unborn daughter.
May you like
The proposed guardian was Marcus Hale.
The second proposed guardian was Vivian Cross.
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