Chapter 8: The Daughter They Wanted to Erase
I couldn't speak.
I read the document again.
Then a third time.
Richard Cole.
Ava's supposed biological father.
It was absurd.
Impossible.
I had been present when Ava was born.
I had cut the umbilical cord.
I had held her against my chest while Elena cried beside me.
She was my daughter.
Agent Mitchell watched my expression.
“Mr. Hale, we don't believe this document is authentic.””
I looked at her.
“Then why show it to me?””
“Because Vanessa used it to threaten your wife.””
I stared at the paper.
“What does that mean?””
Agent Mitchell opened another folder.
“During our search of Vanessa's property, we found correspondence between her and Richard. The messages suggest they intended to use this document to challenge Ava's inheritance.””
I felt sick.
“They planned to claim my daughter wasn't mine?””
“Yes.””
I looked at Ava.
She was holding up her drawing.
“Daddy, look!””
I forced a smile.
“What did you draw, sweetheart?””
“Me, Daniel, Mommy, and you.””
She pointed at each figure.
Then she added a small woman wearing a yellow dress.
“And that's Aunt Rebecca.””
I looked at the picture.
Five people.
My family.
I couldn't let anyone destroy it again.
Agent Mitchell lowered her voice.
“There is something else.””
I turned.
“Go ahead.””
“Vanessa's correspondence suggests Richard was not Daniel's only accomplice.””
“Who else?””
She placed another photograph on the table.
It showed an older woman entering the private medical facility.
I recognized her immediately.
My mother.
But there was something else.
She wasn't alone.
A young woman walked beside her.
A woman with long dark hair.
A woman I hadn't seen in years.
I stared.
“Who is that?””
Agent Mitchell studied the photograph.
“Her name is Claire Whitmore.””
The name meant nothing to me.
“Why is she important?””
“Because she was the original caseworker assigned to Daniel's birth.””
I looked at the photograph again.
“Is she alive?””
“We believe so.””
“Where is she?””
Agent Mitchell hesitated.
“She disappeared three weeks ago.””
My chest tightened.
“Why?””
“Before disappearing, she contacted our office. She said she had evidence that could expose the entire operation.””
“What evidence?””
“A recording.””
I stared at her.
“Of whom?””
“Your mother.””
Later that night, I received a call from the hospital.
Rebecca was out of surgery.
The bullet had passed through her shoulder without damaging a major artery.
I went to see her alone.
She looked exhausted.
Her arm was bandaged, and a monitor beeped beside her bed.
When she saw me, she tried to smile.
“You look terrible.””
I pulled a chair closer.
“You look worse.””
She laughed weakly.
Then her expression changed.
“Did they show you the documents?””
“Yes.””
“About Ava?””
I nodded.
“It's a lie.””
Rebecca closed her eyes.
“I know.””
I leaned forward.
“Tell me everything.””
She looked toward the door.
Then lowered her voice.
“Your mother was terrified of Elena.””
“Why?””
“Because Elena discovered that the family trust had been used to fund illegal medical placements.””
I sighed.
“I know that part.””
“No, Marcus. You don't understand. Your mother wasn't simply helping Richard.””
She paused.
“She was running the operation.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
“Your father discovered it after Daniel was born. He wanted to expose everything. He told your mother he would hand over the records.””
“And she killed him?””
Rebecca shook her head.
“I don't know. But she knew he was going to die.””
I stared at her.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I was afraid.””
She began crying.
“Marcus, I made a terrible mistake when Daniel was born. I signed that document because Vanessa told me the baby had died. Later, I discovered the hospital had changed the records.””
“Then why didn't you expose them?””
“Because I found out what they had done to your father.””
I leaned closer.
“What did they do?””
Rebecca swallowed.
“Your mother arranged for him to be taken to a private clinic before his death.””
I froze.
“He had a heart attack.””
“That was the official report.””
“Rebecca.””
She looked at me.
“I saw the original medical file.””
“What did it say?””
“Poisoning.””
I felt the room spin.
My father hadn't died of natural causes.
Someone had killed him.
And my mother had helped.
Rebecca continued.
“After his death, Vanessa began visiting the house. She told me she was protecting the family.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Protecting us?””
“She said your mother had left instructions. She said you would inherit everything if you married someone who could manage the trust.””
I stared at her.
“So she manipulated me into proposing.””
Rebecca nodded.
“She needed your signature to transfer the assets. The children were part of the arrangement.””
I looked toward the window.
“Why did Elena disappear?””
“Because she found the original records.””
“Why was Daniel taken?””
“Because he was the first heir.””
“And Ava?””
Rebecca hesitated.
“She was supposed to be removed from the trust.””
I turned.
“What?””
“Your mother believed girls shouldn't inherit the controlling shares. She wanted Daniel placed with a family who would never question the arrangement. Ava would be sent away under a different identity.””
I felt a wave of anger so powerful that my hands began shaking.
“They were going to take both my children.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Vanessa wanted the trust. Richard wanted the medical network. Your mother wanted to preserve the family name.””
I stood.
“Where is my mother now?””
Rebecca looked at me.
“She's dead, Marcus.””
“I know that.””
“No.””
She grabbed my hand.
“You need to understand something. Your mother died three years ago, according to the certificate.””
I stared.
“According to the certificate?””
Rebecca nodded.
“The body was never properly identified.””
I stopped breathing.
“What?””
“They buried a woman under your mother's name. But the medical records were signed by the same doctor who falsified Daniel's death certificate.””
I slowly sat down.
“You're telling me my mother might still be alive?””
Rebecca nodded.
“I think she's the one who has been directing everything from the beginning.””
At 2:17 a.m., my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice came through.
“Marcus.””
My entire body went rigid.
I knew that voice.
I had heard it throughout my childhood.
At family dinners.
At birthday parties.
At Christmas.
It was the voice of a woman who had once kissed my forehead and told me I was her greatest achievement.
My mother.
“Mom?””
A soft laugh.
“It's been a long time, sweetheart.””
I couldn't speak.
She continued.
“You've made quite a mess.””
“Where are you?””
“Somewhere safe.””
“Did you kill Dad?””
Silence.
Then she sighed.
“Your father became difficult.””
My stomach turned.
“Did you take Daniel?””
“I protected him.””
“You stole my son!””
“I saved him from Elena.””
I gripped the phone.
“Where is she?””
“Alive, unfortunately.””
My jaw tightened.
“I'm going to find you.””
She laughed.
“Marcus, you have always been an emotional boy.””
Then her voice changed.
“Listen carefully. Bring me the original archive from your father's estate. Bring both children.””
I stared at the floor.
“And if I refuse?””
A pause.
Then she whispered:
“Ask Elena what happened to the first woman who tried to protect your children.””
The call ended.
I stood motionless.
A moment later, a message arrived.
It contained a photograph.
Elena was sitting in a dark room.
Her hands were tied.
A man stood behind her.
And beside him was my mother.
Alive.
Smiling.
May you like
Beneath the photograph was a message.
You have until sunrise.
