Chapter 4 - Richard Lied About His Estranged Sister
Mariana had met Helen Mercer only once.
It was at her wedding.
Helen left early after arguing with Richard’s father.
Afterward Richard said Helen had become unstable and cut herself off
from the family.
Now Helen’s name appeared on Chloe’s urgent-care record.
Mariana called the clinic.
Helen agreed to speak only after confirming Chloe’s authorization and
appropriate privacy procedures.
Her voice shook when Mariana introduced herself.
“Is Chloe all right?”
“She had emergency surgery.”
Silence.
Then:
“I told Richard not to wait.”
Mariana closed her eyes.
Helen explained that Richard arrived with Chloe shortly before closing.
He seemed nervous.
When Helen entered the exam room, both siblings froze.
They had not seen each other in years.
Helen examined Chloe.
She immediately felt the mass.
Richard pulled her into the hallway.
“He asked me if there was any way to handle it without putting Chloe
into the hospital system.”
“Why?”
“He wouldn’t tell me.”
Helen refused.
She documented everything and recommended urgent imaging.
Richard became angry.
He accused her of trying to interfere with his family.
Then he took Chloe home.
Mariana asked why Helen and Richard were estranged.
Helen hesitated.
“That story belongs partly to Chloe.”
“What does that mean?”
Helen asked whether Richard had ever discussed a genetic condition in
the Mercer family.
Mariana’s heart accelerated.
“No.”
Helen became quiet.
Their mother, Evelyn Mercer, had died from ovarian cancer at
forty-three.
A hereditary cancer-risk mutation had later been identified in several
relatives.
Richard had tested positive as a carrier.
Mariana gripped the phone.
“Can a father pass that to a daughter?”
“Yes.”
“Did Richard know?”
“Yes.”
Mariana could barely speak.
“Did he ever have Chloe tested?”
“I don’t know.”
Helen’s answer did not solve the mystery.
It made it worse.
Richard had hidden a family medical history that could matter to his
daughter.
And when Chloe developed symptoms near an ovary, he had tried to keep
her out of the medical system.
But why?
Fear?
Denial?
Money?
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Or was there another test Richard was terrified the hospital would
perform?
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