The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 222

Switched?

“Now, let’s start all over, shall we?” Silas asked.

Noelle had now changed into warm clothes. He had given her one of his hoodies because she didn’t really have a reliable warm jacket in her luggage.

Pulling her legs closer to her chest, Noelle took a deep breath. She repeated everything she had overheard at the hospital. This time, she did it slowly and in detail.

Silas was aghast. All the more, he asked in silence, 'Why did Brian marry Noelle if he never intended to be faithful? So, what happened to Noelle’s son? Why would Brian do that to their own son?'

“So, let me get this straight,” Silas frowned. “You are sure you gave birth.”

“I’m sure. I’m sure,” Noelle answered firmly.

“Which hospital did you give birth at?” Silas asked.

“At St. Mary’s,” Noelle said. “He had insisted on the hospital because he knew the director. He said we had a good discount, and I did not complain because St. Mary’s was a good hospital.”

Silas just nodded.

Perhaps back in the day, it was a reputable hospital, but it no longer competes with Rexam Medical Institute.

“Did you notice anything unusual about Brian after you gave birth?” Silas asked. “Anything at all.”

Noelle blinked and thought hard. After a while, she said, “He was often out. Like, he’d insist on buying takeout food when I really didn’t feel like eating much. And he’d take so long to get back, yet each time he returned, the food was still warm.”

“I remember this clearly because Brian would often get scolded by my mother-in-law for taking so long,” Noelle said. "Then, he was often texting, but he said it was company matters, and I believed him."

Another pause. “I think I understand now.”

Noelle looked at Silas and said, “I remember I had insisted on seeing the baby a day after I gave birth. I was still under monitoring, but the nurse had mentioned I could ask for the baby to be brought to my room temporarily. But Brian insisted it wasn’t good for me. He said I should still rest until I felt better.”

“What if—” Noelle’s jaw tightened. “What if Gwen had given birth to Benson around the same time? And at the same hospital?”

“I was thinking the same,” Silas agreed. “They could have switched the babies.”

“I really need to find out what happened six years ago, Silas. I need to find out what happened to my son.” Noelle became teary-eyed again, almost enraged.

“We will get there,” Silas said, getting up and comforting her. “I can accompany you to St. Mary’s Hospital tomorrow and retrieve all your medical records. Hospital administrators are often closed on Sundays.”

“You said you didn’t confront them, right?” Silas asked.

“No,” Noelle said, her jaw tightening. “I knew they would only cover their tracks if I confronted them.”

“Okay, that’s fine,” Silas said. “It’s just in case we don’t find anything with our own investigation.”

“For now, you take a rest. We can’t do much with the information we have anyway,” Silas added.

“I don’t know if I can rest,” Noelle admitted. "I can't stop thinking about my son."

“Just try,” he insisted. "You are going to get sick if you don't."

Noelle took a few steps back. She stared at the bed and then back at Silas. Her lips quivered as she requested, “Can you—can you stay with me? Just… for a while.”

A faint smile formed on Silas’ lips. “Sure.”

After Noelle lay down, Silas sat on the other side of the bed. She faced him while he offered his hand.

Noelle stared at him for a long time before she took his hand. “Thank you, Silas. Who would have thought I’d find comfort with you? Back in high school, Brian used to say you hated me for beating you in competitions… and that you had a temper.”

“He warned me to stay away from you, and I guess I misunderstood you as well,” she continued. “I wish I had never believed him. I wish I had taken you up on that offer to study together for third-year finals.”

Silas remembered that year. He had approached Noelle and said, “You’re either very good or very lucky. Studying together for finals should confirm which. Library tomorrow afternoon? I’ll bring coffee.”

A faint smile slowly formed on his lips. He mused, 'That might not have sounded like an invitation.'

“That’s fine,” Silas said. “Thinking back, I could have asked a little more politely. Humility has never been my strongest trait.”