I leaned back.
Priya continued.
“There was an amended certificate filed fourteen months later.”
“After Tyler and I were together.”
“Yes.”
“Who filed it?”
“We don’t know yet.”
My thoughts began racing.
Daniel had been my boyfriend.
He had been with me through most of my pregnancy.Track Pregnancy
He had disappeared shortly before I gave birth after telling me he wasn’t ready to be a father.
At least that was how I remembered it.
He resurfaced months later only to sign away parental rights.
I had hated him for years.
“What name is on the original certificate?”
Priya looked toward the bookstore.
Then back at me.
“No father is listed.”
My pulse slowed.
“That isn’t possible.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel was at the hospital.”
“You remember seeing him?”
I opened my mouth.
Nothing came out.
I remembered calling him.
I remembered
wanting him there.
I remembered my mother saying he had finally shown up.
But did I remember seeing him?
A headache began behind my eyes.
“Claire,” Priya said gently, “did you have complications during delivery?”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“I lost consciousness.”
“For how long?”
“I don’t know. Several hours.”
“And who was making medical decisions while you were unconscious?”
“My mother.”Track Pregnancy
“Anyone else?”
I shook my head.
Then stopped.
There had been someone.
A man in a dark jacket talking to a nurse in the hallway.
I had only seen him for a second before they wheeled me toward surgery.
At the time, I assumed he was hospital staff.
But now, suddenly, I could see his profile.
The heavy brow.
The silver hair.
Richard.
Tyler’s father.
My breath caught.
“I saw him.”
“Who?”
“Tyler’s father.”
Priya went still.
