Chapter 9: The Truth Robert Left Behind
I spent the next hour staring at the photograph.
Michael.
My first husband.
The man I had believed was dead.
I remembered the accident.
A rainy evening.
A phone call from the police.
A funeral with a closed casket because of the severity of the injuries.
I remembered Robert holding my hand during the service.
He had been my friend before he became my husband.
He helped me rebuild my life.
He loved Harrison as his own.
At least, that was what I had always believed.
Now Claire was telling me Michael might have survived.
“Tell me everything,” I said.
Claire took a long breath.
“Michael was involved in a serious accident. The hospital initially reported that he had died. But he was transferred to another facility under a different name because of complications with his identification.””
I stared at her.
“How do you know?””
“Robert found out years later.””
“Why didn't he tell me?””
“He didn't want to reopen the trauma. And by then, you had built a life with him.””
I stood.
“That's not his decision to make.””
“I know.””
“Did Michael survive?””
Claire nodded.
“He lived for another eleven years.””
I covered my mouth.
Eleven years.
While I believed he was dead, he had been alive somewhere.
“Did Robert know where he was?””
“Yes.””
“Did he ever contact him?””
Claire nodded again.
“Once.””
“When?””
“About two years before Robert died.””
I sat down.
“Why?””
“Because Michael had contacted him first. He wanted to know about Harrison.””
My heart was pounding.
“Was Harrison his son?””
Claire looked down.
“Biologically, yes.””
I closed my eyes.
A strange mixture of grief and disbelief washed over me.
“But Robert raised him.””
“Yes.””
“Loved him.””
“Yes.””
“Then why would Harrison use this against him?””
Claire's voice broke.
“Because Daniel told Harrison that Robert had been hiding the truth. He convinced him that Robert had stolen his biological father's inheritance.””
I stared at her.
“That doesn't make sense. Michael had no inheritance.””
“Daniel claimed otherwise.””
“Was it true?””
Claire shook her head.
“Not as far as I know.””
I looked at the photograph again.
My first husband.
The father of my child.
A man I had mourned for years.
Then I noticed something.
The photograph had been taken outside a rehabilitation center.
On the back, beneath Robert's handwriting, was an address.
I handed it to Claire.
“Where is this?””
She studied it.
“It's in Pennsylvania.””
I looked at Detective Brooks.
“Can you help me find out whether Michael is still alive?””
The detective hesitated.
“I can help verify the information, but this is a personal matter separate from the financial investigation.””
“Please.””
He nodded.
“I'll make some calls.””
At 5:40 that evening, Harrison arrived.
He came alone.
His face looked exhausted. His shirt was wrinkled, and his eyes were red.
He stood in the doorway for several seconds.
“Hi, Mom.””
I didn't move.
“Come in.””
He sat on the sofa.
I remained standing.
“Why did you file the petition?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Because Sloan told me you were planning to liquidate the trust.””
“That was a lie.””
“I know that now.””
“Why did you believe her?””
“Because I was scared.””
“Of what?””
He looked at me.
“Losing everything.””
I sat opposite him.
“You already had everything that mattered.””
He lowered his eyes.
“I know.””
“Do you?””
He nodded.
Then he began crying.
“Mom, I made a terrible mistake.””
I said nothing.
He continued.
“Daniel approached me years ago. He said Dad had left money in accounts I didn't know about. He said I was entitled to it.””
“Did you believe him?””
“At first.””
“And later?””
Harrison looked away.
“Later, I realized something was wrong.””
“How much money did you take?””
He swallowed.
“About one point four million.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“From your father's company?””
“From the trust.””
I closed my eyes.
“And you let Sloan keep doing it?””
“She said she could move the money back before anyone noticed.””
“Why did you marry her?””
He looked at me.
“Because I loved her.””
I stared at him.
“Did she love you?””
He didn't answer.
I leaned forward.
“Harrison, did you know she was using my identity?””
He nodded slowly.
“Not at first.””
“When?””
“About six months ago.””
My throat tightened.
“And you still signed the petition?””
“She said if you were removed as trustee, the investigation would stop.””
I looked at him.
“So you were willing to have your mother declared mentally incompetent to protect yourself.””
He started crying harder.
“I thought I could fix it.””
“You've had years.””
He covered his face.
Then he said something I wasn't expecting.
“Mom, Sloan told me Dad wasn't my biological father.””
I remained silent.
“She said Daniel had proof. She said Dad knew and had been hiding it.””
I looked at him.
“Did you believe her?””
“I didn't know what to believe.””
I reached into the drawer beside me and removed the photograph.
I placed it on the table.
“Your biological father was Michael. My first husband.””
Harrison stared at the photograph.
“Who is that?””
“Your father.””
He looked up sharply.
“Robert wasn't?””
“Robert raised you. He loved you. He was your father in every way that mattered.””
Harrison stared at the photograph.
Then he began sobbing.
“Why didn't anyone tell me?””
“Because your father wanted to protect you from people who would use the truth against you.””
Harrison looked at me.
“Did Dad know?””
“Yes.””
“Did he hate me?””
I felt tears rise.
“No, sweetheart. He loved you.””
He lowered his head.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then Harrison reached into his jacket and removed a small envelope.
“Mom, I found this in Sloan's office.””
I took it.
Inside was a printed email.
The sender was Daniel Pierce.
The recipient was Sloan.
The date was two months before Robert died.
I read the first paragraph.
The boy is ready. Once Robert is gone, Harrison will believe the trust belongs to him. Keep him emotionally dependent until the transfer is complete.
I continued reading.
Do not let Evelyn access the original agreement. She is the only person who can stop us.
Then came the final paragraph.
And remember, the biological father story is only useful if Harrison needs another reason to hate Robert.
I looked at my son.
“Did you know about this?””
He shook his head.
“I found it yesterday.””
I studied his face.
For the first time in years, I saw the frightened little boy who had lost his father.
But I also saw a grown man who had made terrible choices.
“Where is Sloan?””
“I don't know.””
“Where is Daniel?””
“I think they're meeting tonight.””
“Where?””
Harrison hesitated.
“Whitmore Capital's office.””
I picked up my phone.
“Detective Brooks needs to know.””
Harrison grabbed my hand.
“Mom, please. Don't send me to prison.””
I looked at him.
“I'm not sending you anywhere. Your choices brought you here.””
“I'll return the money.””
“You will tell the truth.””
He nodded.
Then his phone rang.
Sloan.
He looked at the screen.
I watched his face change.
He answered.
“Hello?””
Her voice came through loudly enough for me to hear.
“Where are you?””
“I'm with Mom.””
A sharp silence.
Then Sloan said:
“You idiot.””
Harrison closed his eyes.
“Listen to me—”
“No. You listen. Daniel has the original agreement. We're moving tonight.””
Harrison stood.
“What agreement?””
“The one your father hid.””
I grabbed his arm.
“Ask her where Daniel got it.””
Harrison repeated my question.
Sloan laughed.
“Your mother has no idea what she's dealing with. By tomorrow morning, the trust will belong to us.””
Then she added something that made my blood run cold.
“And Harrison, if you want to see your real father, you'd better come with me.””
The call ended.
I looked at my son.
He stared at his phone.
May you like
Then he whispered:
“Mom, Daniel has Michael.””
