Chapter 6: What Luke Was Hiding
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
The rain tapped against the hospital window.
June slept peacefully in my arms, completely unaware that strangers had been planning her life before she had even taken her first breath.
I looked at Eli.
“If it wasn't about selling babies, what was it about?””
He closed the laptop.
“I need to verify something first.””
“No.””
My voice shook.
“You've been protecting me for weeks. Not anymore.””
Eli looked at Detective Harris.
The detective nodded.
Eli reopened the file.
“There were seven babies.””
He pointed to the list.
“Each one was connected to a different mother.””
Rachel nodded.
“Mine.””
“Olivia's.””
She nodded.
“And yours, Emily.””
I waited.
“What connects them?””
Eli scrolled.
“Money.””
“That isn't enough.””
“No.””
He clicked another file.
“Genetic records.””
Jasmine stepped closer.
“What kind of genetic records?””
“Blood type. DNA profiles. Family history.””
I felt cold.
“They were testing the babies?””
Eli nodded.
“But not randomly.””
He opened a chart.
Seven names appeared.
Next to each was a series of numbers.
Rachel stared.
“What are those?””
“Genetic matches.””
“With whom?””
Eli looked at me.
“With people who aren't listed as the fathers.””
I stared at him.
“Then who are the fathers?””
Luke suddenly stood.
“Don't.””
Everyone turned toward him.
Eli's voice became quiet.
“That's why June was the primary target.””
Luke shook his head.
“Eli, please.””
I stepped toward my husband.
“Tell me.””
Luke's eyes were wet.
“I can't.””
“You've lied to me for months.””
“I know.””
“You put my baby in danger.””
“I know.””
“Then tell me the truth.””
Luke looked at June.
“Her father isn't who you think.””
My entire body went still.
“What?””
Rachel looked confused.
Olivia stared at Luke.
Eli's jaw tightened.
“Say it.””
Luke shook his head.
“I can't.””
Detective Harris stepped forward.
“Mr. Carter, you are making this worse.””
Luke looked at me.
“Emily, I never meant for you to get hurt.””
“Who is June's father?””
He opened his mouth.
Nothing.
Then his phone rang again.
The number was blocked.
Detective Harris answered it on speaker.
Nobody spoke.
Only breathing.
Then a man's voice came through.
Calm.
Almost amused.
“Luke.””
Luke froze.
The voice continued.
“You've had plenty of chances.””
Eli whispered, “Marcus.””
The man laughed softly.
“You brought the police into this?””
Detective Harris said, “Marcus Vale, this is Detective Harris. We can resolve this peacefully.””
“No, Detective.””
A pause.
“We can't.””
I felt June stir.
I lowered my voice.
“Who are you?””
Silence.
Then the man said—
“I'm the reason your daughter was chosen.””
The call ended.
Rachel began crying.
Olivia whispered, “He knows we're here.””
Eli immediately checked the hospital doors.
“He's tracking the phone.””
Detective Harris nodded.
“Turn it off.””
Luke suddenly grabbed my arm.
“We need to leave.””
I pulled away.
“I'm not going anywhere with you.””
“Emily, listen to me.””
“No.””
His voice cracked.
“If Marcus gets June, you'll never see her again.””
“Then help the police.””
“I am.””
“No, Luke.””
I looked directly into his eyes.
“You're still protecting him.””
He said nothing.
That silence was answer enough.
I turned toward Eli.
“What does the genetic file say?””
Eli hesitated.
“There's one more page.””
He opened it.
My eyes moved down the screen.
Then stopped.
I couldn't breathe.
There was a DNA match listed beside June's name.
*99.98% PATERNITY PROBABILITY.*
Below it was a name.
Not Luke.
Not anyone I recognized.
I whispered, “Who is that?””
Eli looked at me.
“Emily…”
“Who?””
He turned the screen toward me.
The name was unmistakable.
*Daniel Carter.*
My husband's older brother.
Dead for eleven years.
My knees buckled.
Luke caught me before I hit the floor.
I shoved him away.
“Daniel is dead.””
“I know.””
“Then how can his DNA match my daughter?””
Luke looked at Eli.
Eli slowly shook his head.
“That was my question too.””
Rachel stared at the screen.
“Maybe the test is wrong.””
“No,” Eli said.
“I checked it three times.””
I looked at Luke.
“You knew.””
He closed his eyes.
“Not everything.””
“But you knew Daniel's name was in the file.””
Luke's silence was enough.
I stepped back from him.
“Why would a dead man be listed as June's father?””
Luke looked toward the window.
His face had gone gray.
Then he whispered something that made every person in the room freeze.
“Because Daniel Carter isn't dead.””
The room fell silent.
I stared at him.
“That's impossible.””
Luke looked at me.
“I buried him.””
A beat passed.
Then the hospital lights suddenly went out.
June began crying.
Somewhere in the darkness, a door slammed.
And a man's voice whispered from the hallway—
“Luke.””
May you like
Then another voice answered from inside our room.
“I'm here.””
