Chapter 7 - THE DOCTOR WHO SHOULD HAVE CALLED US
Dr. Felix Rowan did not deny the transfer.
He denied knowing the signatures were forged.
Lakeview Reproductive Center retained counsel.
So did Rowan personally.
The clinic suspended him from procedures while an outside investigation began.
No police raid.
No instant license revocation.
Medical institutions had committees for catastrophe.
Mark was beginning to hate committees.
Claire attended the first meeting through Dana.
Mark was invited because he was a genetic parent and alleged victim of unauthorized embryo disposition.
Margaret was not invited.
Neither was Richard.
The clinic’s attorney began carefully.
“Lakeview recognizes the seriousness of the allegations.”
Claire laughed.
Mark looked at her.
She did not apologize.
The clinic produced consent records.
Electronic disposition form.
Claire’s signature.
Mark’s signature.
Directed donation to:
MARGARET BENNETT.
Not confidential.
Not anonymous.
There it was.
Margaret’s name.
Mark felt sick.
“How did no one call us?”
The clinic attorney replied:
“The form indicated both genetic contributors had discussed donation directly with the recipient.”
“We hadn’t.”
“I understand.”
“Did anyone verify?”
A pause.
“Dr. Rowan documented verbal confirmation.”
Claire leaned forward.
“From who?”
The attorney read:
Patient’s daughter and son-in-law consent; recipient reports family agreement. Genetic contributors unavailable for joint consultation due marital stress; prior relationship established with clinic.
Claire stared.
“Recipient reports.”
Margaret.
Not them.
Dana asked:
“Did Dr. Rowan speak directly to either genetic parent?”
Records showed no call.
No telehealth.
No signed video confirmation.
No new in-person consultation.
Mark’s anger sharpened.
“You transferred embryos based on my mother-in-law saying we agreed?”
The attorney remained controlled.
“That appears to be part of the failure under review.”
Part.
Then another record.
A nurse had flagged the signatures.
Mark’s looked slightly different from prior consent.
Claire’s too.
She sent an internal message:
PLEASE CONFIRM WITH GENETIC PARENTS BEFORE RELEASE.
Dr. Rowan replied:
FAMILY DONATION. I HAVE HANDLED. PROCEED.
Claire read it twice.
“Handled.”
No one spoke.
The embryology lab thawed both embryos.
Both survived.
Both transferred to Margaret.
The transfer worked.
Two implantations.
Twins.
Mark asked:
“What happened to Margaret’s original embryos?”
Stored.
Still there.
Richard’s sperm had fertilized donor eggs.
Two blastocysts remained frozen.
He had believed those were the babies being carried.
They were not.
His face, when Dana later told him, looked like something had been carved out.
Then came the payment.
Margaret paid Lakeview $68,000 for the cycle.
Normal high-end fertility costs plus donor services.
But there was another payment.
$95,000.
To Rowan Reproductive Research Foundation.
Two weeks before transfer.
Mark stared.
“Donation?”
The clinic attorney said:
“Separate legal entity.”
Dana asked:
“Was Dr. Rowan on its board?”
“Yes.”
“Did Margaret make this donation?”
“Yes.”
“Was it required?”
“No.”
Claire sat back.
The room changed.
Mark asked:
“Did she buy his cooperation?”
“No one can answer that yet.”
Fair.
Still ugly.
Afterward Claire walked alone toward the elevator.
Mark followed at a distance.
“Claire.”
She stopped.
“You’re not supposed to be near me unless I agree.”
He stopped immediately.
“Sorry.”
She turned.
Her eyes were red.
“Do you know what the worst part is today?”
He said nothing.
“I keep wanting you to be the person I call.”
His throat tightened.
Claire continued:
“Every new thing happens and my first instinct is still Mark.”
He looked down.
“I’m sorry.”
“And then I remember you slept with her.”
“I know.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Everyone knows everything now.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“There’s always more.”
The elevator arrived.
Claire did not enter.
She asked:
“Why did you sleep with my mother?”
There was no good answer.
He did not insult her by inventing one.
“I was angry.”
“At me.”
“Yes.”
“Lonely.”
“Yes.”
“Drunk?”
“Not enough to matter.”
“Did she initiate it?”
“She touched my hand first.”
Claire’s face changed.
Mark continued before she could misunderstand.
“I kissed her.”
Silence.
“I chose it.”
Claire looked away.
“Did you love her?”
“No.”
“Did you want her?”
“Yes.”
The truth hurt.
It was supposed to.
Claire’s eyes filled.
“Did you hate me?”
“No.”
“That somehow makes it worse.”
“I know.”
She looked at him sharply.
He stopped using the phrase.
“Sorry.”
Claire got into the elevator.
Before the doors closed, she said:
“Dana is filing for emergency parentage orders.”
Mark stared.
“What does that mean?”
“It means nobody actually knows who has legal rights to those babies right now.”
“Margaret gave birth.”
“Yes.”
“We’re genetic parents.”
“Yes.”
“Richard believed he was father.”
“Yes.”
Claire’s mouth trembled.
“And I spent nine months calling my own children my brother and sister.”
The doors began closing.
Then she added:
“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to want.”
The elevator disappeared.
Mark’s phone rang.
Richard.
He sounded strange.
“Meet me.”
“Where?”
“Lakeview.”
“I just left.”
“Come back.”
“Why?”
Richard breathed out.
“I checked the storage account for my embryos.”
Mark’s stomach tightened.
“What?”
“They’re gone.”
Silence.
“What do you mean gone?”
Richard answered:
“Someone signed those away too.”
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