Chapter 4: The Signature That Wasn't Hers to Make
I stared at the document in my hands.
The hospital corridor suddenly seemed too bright.
At the bottom of the prescription authorization form was Claire's signature, written in the same elegant handwriting she used on birthday cards, school forms, and Christmas invitations.
Above it was the name of Maya's pediatrician.
Dr. Reynolds' colleague, Dr. Lewis, pointed to a section near the middle.
“This prescription was originally issued at a lower dosage for a limited period. However, the records we received indicate that the dosage was increased without authorization.””
I looked up.
“What does that mean?””
“It means we need to establish exactly what Maya has been taking and when.””
Claire stepped forward.
“This is being blown out of proportion.””
Dr. Lewis didn't look at her.
“Mrs. Bennett, the medication is a prescription appetite suppressant. It requires careful monitoring, particularly in children. We have no record of the physician approving the increased dosage.””
Claire folded her arms.
“She was gaining weight. I was trying to help her.””
My stomach turned.
“She was twelve.””
“She was becoming unhealthy.””
“Who told you that?””
Claire's lips tightened.
“I did my research.””
I looked at Dr. Lewis.
“Can this medication cause abdominal pain?””
“Depending on the medication and the circumstances, it can cause significant side effects. But we won't speculate until we review her records and test results.””
I looked back at Claire.
“How long?””
She shook her head.
“Marcus, not here.””
“How long have you been giving our daughter this medication?””
“Several months.””
The answer hit me like a physical blow.
Several months.
I remembered Maya's appetite changing. I remembered her complaining about headaches. I remembered Claire saying she was becoming a picky eater.
I remembered asking whether we should schedule a pediatrician appointment.
Claire had told me there was no need.
“She just needs a healthier routine,” she'd said.
I'd believed her.
Dr. Lewis continued.
“Did Maya know what the medication was?””
Claire looked uncomfortable.
“She knew it was a vitamin.””
I felt my hands go cold.
“You told her it was a vitamin?””
“She wouldn't have taken it otherwise.””
I stared at her.
“You lied to our daughter about what you were putting into her body?””
Claire's eyes flashed.
“Don't act like you're some perfect father. You weren't even here most afternoons.””
“That doesn't give you permission to drug our child.””
Her expression changed.
“I was trying to protect her.””
“From what?””
“From becoming like the girls at school who don't take care of themselves. From being unhealthy. From being teased.””
“Maya was being teased?””
Claire looked away.
That was when I understood something.
She wasn't simply trying to manage Maya's health.
She was trying to manage how Maya looked.
And she had decided that her daughter had to pay the price.
Dr. Lewis gently took the document back.
“We're going to investigate the medication history. For now, I need to speak with Maya's medical team and make sure they have all the information.””
He walked away.
Claire immediately reached for my arm.
“Marcus, listen to me.””
I pulled away.
“No.””
“Please. We need to think about what happens next.””
“What happens next is that our daughter gets better.””
“And after that?””
I looked at her.
“After that, we find out exactly what you've been doing.””
She lowered her voice.
“You can't destroy our marriage over a misunderstanding.””
I almost laughed.
A misunderstanding.
Our daughter had been in pain for more than a day.
She had tried to call me.
Claire had taken her phone.
She had told Maya to keep quiet.
And now I was discovering that she had been giving her medication under false pretenses.
“What part of this is a misunderstanding?”” I asked.
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
“I didn't want her to suffer.””
I shook my head.
“You didn't want her to embarrass you.””
Her expression hardened.
“You have no idea what you're talking about.””
Before I could respond, a nurse appeared.
“Mr. Bennett? Maya is awake.””
Everything else disappeared.
I hurried toward the recovery room.
Maya was lying beneath a white blanket, her cheeks pale and her eyes half-open.
An IV ran into her arm.
When she saw me, she tried to smile.
“Daddy?””
I reached for her hand.
“Hey, princess.””
“Did they fix it?””
“They did. The doctor says the surgery went well.””
She blinked slowly.
“Can I go home?””
“Not yet. You need some rest.””
Her eyes moved toward the doorway.
“Is Mom here?””
I glanced back.
Claire was standing several feet behind me.
“Yes, sweetheart.””
Maya looked down at her blanket.
Then she whispered, “Are you mad?””
I pulled a chair closer.
“No. Nobody is mad at you.””
“Mom said I wasn't supposed to tell you about the medicine.””
My chest tightened.
I looked at Claire.
She stood frozen.
I turned back to Maya.
“You can tell me anything. Anything at all. You never have to hide something that happens to you.””
Maya's lower lip trembled.
“I thought it was vitamins.””
I squeezed her hand.
“I know.””
“She said I had to take it because I was getting too big.””
I felt my eyes burn.
“You don't have to change your body to make anybody happy.””
Maya stared at me.
“But Mom said people wouldn't like me if I stayed this way.””
I leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
“Your body isn't a problem, sweetheart.””
She started crying.
Not loudly.
Just small, exhausted sobs that shook her shoulders.
I stayed beside her until she fell asleep again.
When I finally stepped into the corridor, Claire was waiting.
She had stopped crying.
Her face was composed.
“We need to talk,” she said.
I looked at her.
“Not here.””
“Then come home with me.””
“I'm staying with Maya.””
“Marcus, she's asleep.””
“I'm staying.””
Claire looked toward the recovery room.
Then she said something that made my blood run cold.
“If you start telling people about the medication, you're going to make things much worse for her.””
I stared at my wife.
“Are you threatening me?””
“I'm telling you to think carefully.””
She adjusted her handbag and walked away.
I watched her disappear around the corner.
Then I went back into Maya's room.
Her pink phone was sitting on the bedside table.
I picked it up to turn off the notifications.
The screen lit up.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
Claire, I need the remaining payment by Friday. I won't keep covering for you.
I read it twice.
Then another message arrived.
And please make sure Marcus doesn't see the original clinic paperwork.
My fingers tightened around the phone.
The sender's name appeared beneath the number.
May you like
*Dr. Evelyn Hart.*
And suddenly, I knew the signature on that prescription wasn't the only thing Claire had been hiding.
