Chapter 8: The Letter Raymond Never Sent
Adrian arrived at Patricia's house in Atlanta two days later.
He had driven through the night.
Celeste had stayed in Philadelphia with both girls. A trusted family friend watched them while Celeste arranged the next steps.
Before leaving, Adrian had promised Zoe something.
"You're going to be okay, Daddy?"" she had asked.
He knelt and tied her shoelaces.
"Always, sweetheart.""
"Are you going to bring Imani back?""
He smiled.
"She's not going anywhere.""
Zoe hugged him.
"Good. I like having someone who looks like me.""
He held her longer than usual.
Now, standing outside Patricia's house, he wondered whether he would ever look at that hug the same way again.
Patricia opened the door.
She was in her late fifties, wearing a burgundy sweater and reading glasses.
Her face crumpled when she saw him.
"Oh, Adrian.""
He didn't hug her.
"Show me the letter.""
Patricia stepped aside.
The house smelled of cinnamon and furniture polish.
She led him to the dining room.
On the table sat a wooden box.
"I've kept this for six years," she said.
Adrian stared at it.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?""
"Because Raymond made me promise.""
"He was my father.""
"I know.""
"And those were my daughters.""
Patricia lowered her head.
"I know that too.""
She opened the box.
Inside were several documents, a hospital photograph, and a sealed envelope.
Adrian recognized his father's handwriting immediately.
*For my son, Adrian.*
He picked it up.
His fingers shook as he opened it.
My son,
If you're reading this, then Evelyn's decision has finally caught up with us.
I owe you the truth.
Six years ago, when Celeste gave birth, there were two girls. Evelyn believed one belonged to the Cole family and the other to the Reed family.
She was wrong.
Adrian stopped reading.
He looked up.
"Wrong how?""
Patricia sat down.
"Raymond discovered something during the pregnancy.""
"What?""
"Celeste had been told that Daniel was her biological father. But Daniel had never been tested. Raymond suspected the story was more complicated.""
Adrian stared at her.
"What does that have to do with the twins?""
"Daniel had been adopted as a child. His birth certificate was not his original record.""
Adrian frowned.
"Then who was his biological father?""
Patricia swallowed.
"Your grandfather.""
Adrian sat down.
"Wait. What?""
"Raymond's father was Daniel's biological father. Raymond and Daniel were half-brothers, not father and son.""
Adrian looked at her.
"Then why did Dad call him his son?""
"Because Raymond raised him after Daniel's mother died. He loved him as his own.""
Adrian rubbed his forehead.
"So Celeste and I aren't related?""
Patricia shook her head.
"No. Not biologically.""
A breath Adrian hadn't realized he was holding escaped his chest.
But the relief was short-lived.
"Then why did Evelyn say we were?""
"Because she believed the old family records. She never knew the adoption papers existed.""
Adrian looked down at the letter.
He continued reading.
Evelyn believed Celeste was Daniel's biological daughter. She believed the twins carried the same family connection.
When I discovered the adoption record, I wanted to tell you. But Evelyn was already planning to separate the girls.
I should have stopped her.
Adrian's eyes filled.
His father had known.
He had known about the lies.
And he had remained silent.
Patricia reached across the table.
"Raymond was afraid.""
Adrian pulled his hand away.
"Everybody was afraid. Meanwhile, two babies were growing up without knowing they had a sister.""
Patricia nodded.
"You're right.""
He continued reading.
I found the original nurse's notes. Baby A had a crescent-shaped birthmark near her right temple. Baby B did not.
Evelyn changed the identification bands because she wanted Baby A to be the child raised by Adrian.
But she didn't know that the nurse had photographed both babies before the transfer.
Adrian looked at the photograph in the box.
It showed two newborns.
One had a visible crescent-shaped mark.
The other didn't.
He turned it over.
On the back was a handwritten notation.
*Baby A — Zoe.*
*Baby B — Imani.*
His breath caught.
"That's it?""
Patricia nodded.
"Yes.""
"So Zoe is Baby A.""
"Yes.""
"And Imani is Baby B.""
"Yes.""
Adrian stared at the photograph.
His mother had deliberately selected Zoe.
She had arranged for him to raise the baby she believed belonged to the Cole family.
And she had sent the other child away.
But Patricia was still watching him with a troubled expression.
"What?"" he asked.
"There is one more thing.""
Adrian closed his eyes.
"Of course there is.""
Patricia reached into the wooden box.
She pulled out a small medical report.
"Raymond had this done after the girls were born.""
Adrian took it.
It was a genetic test.
The report contained two names.
Adrian Cole.
Zoe Cole.
And a result.
*Biological paternity excluded.*
He read it again.
Then he looked at Patricia.
"That's impossible.""
She nodded sadly.
"Raymond was devastated.""
"You're telling me Zoe isn't my biological daughter?""
"Yes.""
Adrian stood abruptly.
"Then why did my father say Evelyn wanted to keep the Cole heir?""
"Because she believed Zoe was biologically yours.""
Adrian stared at the report.
He remembered the first time he held Zoe.
Her tiny hand wrapped around his finger.
He remembered whispering that she was perfect.
He remembered promising her that no matter what happened, he would always be her father.
Nothing about that promise had been biological.
And nothing about the report could erase it.
"Who is Zoe's biological father?"" he asked.
Patricia looked down.
"Raymond never found out.""
Adrian placed the report on the table.
"Then we need another test.""
"I agree.""
He looked at her.
"Why didn't Dad tell me?""
Patricia opened the second envelope.
"Because he had a second test performed.""
Adrian froze.
"With whom?""
Patricia pulled out another document.
It was dated four months after Zoe's birth.
The names were partially obscured by a folded corner.
Adrian carefully unfolded it.
The report listed:
*Subject One: Zoe Cole.*
*Subject Two: Daniel Reed.*
*Result: Biological relationship excluded.*
Adrian looked up.
"Daniel?""
Patricia nodded.
"Raymond wanted to know whether the old family connection explained anything.""
"But Daniel wasn't her father.""
"No.""
Adrian turned the page.
A handwritten note appeared beneath the results.
The biological father is not identified in the family records.
He sat down slowly.
"Then who is he?""
Patricia looked at him.
"I don't know.""
Adrian stared at the documents.
For six years, he had believed his family was simple.
He had a daughter.
His parents were grandparents.
His father was gone.
His mother was difficult but loving.
Now every one of those assumptions had cracked.
He gathered the documents.
"I need copies of everything.""
Patricia nodded.
"Take them.""
As he stood, she reached for his sleeve.
"Adrian.""
He turned.
"There is something Raymond told me before he died.""
"What?""
"He said the reason Evelyn was so desperate to keep Zoe was not because she believed Zoe was biologically yours.""
Adrian frowned.
"Then why?""
Patricia looked toward the window.
"Because she knew who Zoe's biological father was.""
Adrian felt his stomach tighten.
"Who?""
Patricia's eyes filled.
"Your father's closest friend.""
Adrian shook his head.
"Who was that?""
Patricia whispered a name.
"Thomas Whitaker.""
Adrian went completely still.
Thomas had been his godfather.
The man who had carried him into church as a baby.
The man who had attended every family birthday.
The man who had given Zoe her first gold bracelet.
The man who still called every Sunday to ask how his little girl was doing.
Adrian stared at the report.
Then at Patricia.
"Where is Thomas now?""
Patricia looked frightened.
"Philadelphia.""
Adrian immediately reached for his phone.
Before he could dial, a message appeared.
*THOMAS: Adrian, we need to talk. Your mother told me you've been asking about the twins. Please don't do anything until you hear my side.*
Adrian read the message.
May you like
Then another arrived.
*THOMAS: I know what happened to Zoe. And I know why Evelyn chose her.*
