Chapter 27 - The Mother of SamuelThe Living Ledger contained no name for Samuel’s biological mother.
Only Subject C-9.
Aaron found the answer buried in a medical audit.
Dr. Elaine Mercer.
Not related to Carl Mercer.
A reproductive geneticist who disappeared twelve years earlier after reporting irregularities at a Caldwell-funded fertility clinic.
Official record:
Suicide.
Body recovered from a lake.
Dental identification confirmed.
Lily read the file twice.
“False death.”
Thomas nodded.
They found Elaine alive in Nova Scotia.
She had spent twelve years believing her infant died shortly after birth.
William’s people told her the pregnancy resulted from an experimental fertility procedure that had failed.
When she later discovered records suggesting the infant survived, she attempted to report the clinic.
Her identity was destroyed.
A replacement body provided.
She escaped before they could kill her.
Elaine agreed to meet Samuel only if Samuel wanted it.
Nobody decided for him.
Edward sat with Samuel at the south lake.
“You don’t have to see her.”
Samuel skipped a stone.
“I know.”
“You can wait.”
“I know.”
“You can decide never to.”
Samuel looked at him.
“You’re nervous.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Edward smiled.
“Because I keep wanting to give you the perfect answer, and apparently that runs in the family in a terrible way.”
Samuel laughed.
Then became serious.
“Will you be mad if I love her?”
Edward’s chest hurt.
“No.”
“What if I want to live with her sometimes?”
“No.”
“What if I call her Mom?”
“No.”
Samuel studied him.
“You sure?”
Edward looked across the lake.
He remembered trying to own every relationship because loss terrified him.
“I want you to have as many people who love you safely as you can find.”
Samuel leaned against his shoulder.
“Okay.”
Elaine arrived two weeks later.
She did not run toward Samuel.
She stopped twenty feet away and cried.
Samuel walked the remaining distance.
Edward turned away to give them privacy.
Catherine stood beside him.
May you like
She quietly took his hand.
This time, neither of them pulled away.
