Chapter 7: My Mother's First Daughter
I read## Chapter 7: My Mother's First Daughter
I read the message three times.
**Ask your father what happened to the message three times.
*Ask your father what happened to your mother's first daughter.*
For several seconds, the hospital room seemed to shrink around me your mother's first daughter.**
For several seconds, the hospital room seemed to shrink around me.
My mother had one child.
Me.
At least, that was what I had been told my entire life.
I turned toward Dad.
“What does this mean?””
He.
My mother had one child.
Me.
At least, that was what I had been told my entire life.
I turned toward Dad.
“What does this mean?””
He stood beside the window, staring at the message on my screen.
For the first time since he had arrived at my house, he looked stood beside the window, staring at the message on my screen.
For the first time since he had arrived at my house, he looked genuinely shaken.
“Dad?””
He slowly turned around.
“Where did that message come from?””
“Rebecca Shaw. Daniel says she's genuinely shaken.
“Dad?””
He slowly turned around.
“Where did that message come from?””
“Rebecca Shaw. Daniel says she's a former employee of Hale Meridian.””
Dad held out his hand. I passed him the phone.
He read the message, then returned it without speaking.
I felt a former employee of Hale Meridian.””
Dad held out his hand. I passed him the phone.
He read the message, then returned it without speaking.
I felt my heartbeat in my throat.
“You know something.””
He sat down.
“Emily, there are parts of your mother's life I never fully understood my heartbeat in my throat.
“You know something.””
He sat down.
“Emily, there are parts of your mother's life I never fully understood.””
I stared at him.
“What parts?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Your mother, Margaret, was adopted.””
I blinked.
“I know that. She told me when I was little.””
“She told you she was.””
I stared at him.
“What parts?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Your mother, Margaret, was adopted.””
I blinked.
“I know that. She told me when I was little.””
“She told you she was adopted, but she didn't tell you everything she knew about her birth family.””
“What does that have to do with Victoria?””
Dad looked toward the adopted, but she didn't tell you everything she knew about her birth family.””
“What does that have to do with Victoria?””
Dad looked toward the photograph on the table.
“I don't know for certain.””
“Then tell me what you do know.””
He took a slow breath.
“Before I met your mother, she had been engaged to another man. His name was Thomas Hale.””
The room went silent.
I looked at photograph on the table.
“I don't know for certain.””
“Then tell me what you do know.””
He took a slow breath.
“Before I met your mother, she had been engaged to another man. His name was Thomas Hale.””
The room went silent.
I looked at the photograph of Ryan standing beside Victoria.
Then at the photograph of Thomas Hale.
Then back at my father.
“Victoria's father?””
“Yes.””
I shook my head.
“No. That can't be the photograph of Ryan standing beside Victoria.
Then at the photograph of Thomas Hale.
Then back at my father.
“Victoria's father?””
“Yes.””
I shook my head.
“No. That can't be right.””
“I met your mother years after their relationship ended. She told me Thomas had been controlling and that she had left him before they married.””
“Did she have a child right.””
“I met your mother years after their relationship ended. She told me Thomas had been controlling and that she had left him before they married.””
“Did she have a child with him?””
Dad looked down at his hands.
“She once told me she had lost a baby.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
“She was young with him?””
Dad looked down at his hands.
“She once told me she had lost a baby.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
“She was young. She said the pregnancy had ended before the child was born. She never wanted to discuss it again.””
My mouth went dry.
“Did you believe her?””
“I. She said the pregnancy had ended before the child was born. She never wanted to discuss it again.””
My mouth went dry.
“Did you believe her?””
“I believed she was telling me what she could bear to tell me.””
“That's not the same thing.””
“No,” he admitted.
“It isn't.””
I stood, ignoring the ache in my shoulder.
“So my mother might have had another child?””
“Emily believed she was telling me what she could bear to tell me.””
“That's not the same thing.””
“No,” he admitted.
“It isn't.””
I stood, ignoring the ache in my shoulder.
“So my mother might have had another child?””
“Emily, I don't know.””
“But Rebecca knows something.””
Dad nodded slowly.
I walked toward the window.
The hospital parking lot glittered beneath the security lights. Somewhere outside,, I don't know.””
“But Rebecca knows something.””
Dad nodded slowly.
I walked toward the window.
The hospital parking lot glittered beneath the security lights. Somewhere outside, a car door slammed.
I tried to imagine my mother at twenty years old, frightened and alone, leaving a man who would later become the father of a missing woman.
I tried to imagine her carrying a secret through the rest of her life.
a car door slammed.
I tried to imagine my mother at twenty years old, frightened and alone, leaving a man who would later become the father of a missing woman.
I tried to imagine her carrying a secret through the rest of her life.
And I tried to understand why nobody had told me.
“Did Mom ever mention Victoria?””
“Not to me.””
“Did she keep photographs from before you met?””
“She had a box of letters andAnd I tried to understand why nobody had told me.
“Did Mom ever mention Victoria?””
“Not to me.””
“Did she keep photographs from before you met?””
“She had a box of letters and old photographs. After she died, I placed them in storage.””
I turned sharply.
“Where are they now?””
“In my house.””
“Have you old photographs. After she died, I placed them in storage.””
I turned sharply.
“Where are they now?””
“In my house.””
“Have you looked through them?””
“No.””
I stared at him.
“Dad, that box could contain the answer.””
“I'll have it brought to us.””
“No. I want looked through them?””
“No.””
I stared at him.
“Dad, that box could contain the answer.””
“I'll have it brought to us.””
“No. I want to see it myself.””
He started to object, then stopped.
“All right.””
He called Daniel and asked him to arrange for the box to be retrieved to see it myself.””
He started to object, then stopped.
“All right.””
He called Daniel and asked him to arrange for the box to be retrieved from his home.
Then he contacted Detective Harris and explained the new message. She agreed to arrange a supervised meeting with Rebecca the following morning, provided Rebecca's lawyer confirmed the location and the detective from his home.
Then he contacted Detective Harris and explained the new message. She agreed to arrange a supervised meeting with Rebecca the following morning, provided Rebecca's lawyer confirmed the location and the detective could attend.
I barely slept that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same things: Ryan's hand closing around my arm, Lily hiding could attend.
I barely slept that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same things: Ryan's hand closing around my arm, Lily hiding behind a locked door, and the face of a woman who looked like me.
By morning, I had stopped asking behind a locked door, and the face of a woman who looked like me.
By morning, I had stopped asking myself whether the message was true.
I was asking why someone would send it now.
At ten o'clock, Detective Harris arrived at the hospital with two officers.
Rebecca Shaw had agreed to meet us in a private conference room at the police station.
Dad wanted me myself whether the message was true.
I was asking why someone would send it now.
At ten o'clock, Detective Harris arrived at the hospital with two officers.
Rebecca Shaw had agreed to meet us in a private conference room at the police station.
Dad wanted me to remain at the hospital.
“I can arrange for the interview to happen here,” he said.
“You don't need to go anywhere.””
“I need to hear her speak.””
to remain at the hospital.
“I can arrange for the interview to happen here,” he said.
“You don't need to go anywhere.””
“I need to hear her speak.””
“Emily—”
“Dad, I've spent eight years letting Ryan decide what I was allowed to know. I'm not doing that anymore“Emily—”
“Dad, I've spent eight years letting Ryan decide what I was allowed to know. I'm not doing that anymore.””
He studied me for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
“Then we'll go together.””
Lily remained with a hospital social worker while arrangements were made for her care. Before I left, I sat beside her and kissed her forehead.
“I'm going to talk to someone who might know.””
He studied me for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
“Then we'll go together.””
Lily remained with a hospital social worker while arrangements were made for her care. Before I left, I sat beside her and kissed her forehead.
“I'm going to talk to someone who might know something important,” I whispered.
“About Daddy?””
“About why he lied to us.””
She looked worried.
“Will you something important,” I whispered.
“About Daddy?””
“About why he lied to us.””
She looked worried.
“Will you come back?””
“Of course.””
“Promise?””
I held her little hand.
“I promise I'll come back to you.””
The police station was quieter than I expected.
Rebecca was already waiting when we entered the conference room.
She was in her early forties, with short come back?””
“Of course.””
“Promise?””
I held her little hand.
“I promise I'll come back to you.””
The police station was quieter than I expected.
Rebecca was already waiting when we entered the conference room.
She was in her early forties, with short auburn hair and tired eyes. She wore a plain gray sweater and held a large brown envelope against her chest.
When she saw me, she stood.
For several seconds, she didn't speak.
Then she whispered, “Oh, my God.””
I stopped auburn hair and tired eyes. She wore a plain gray sweater and held a large brown envelope against her chest.
When she saw me, she stood.
For several seconds, she didn't speak.
Then she whispered, “Oh, my God.””
I stopped in the doorway.
“What?””
Rebecca stared at my face.
“You really do look like her.””
“Victoria?””
She nodded.
“Almost exactly in the doorway.
“What?””
Rebecca stared at my face.
“You really do look like her.””
“Victoria?””
She nodded.
“Almost exactly.””
Detective Harris invited everyone to sit.
Rebecca placed the envelope on the table but kept one hand on it.
“Before I tell you anything,” she said, “I need you to understand that I.””
Detective Harris invited everyone to sit.
Rebecca placed the envelope on the table but kept one hand on it.
“Before I tell you anything,” she said, “I need you to understand that I didn't know where Victoria was when she disappeared. I never helped Ryan hurt her.””
“Why should I believe you?”” I asked.
“You shouldn't believe me didn't know where Victoria was when she disappeared. I never helped Ryan hurt her.””
“Why should I believe you?”” I asked.
“You shouldn't believe me because I ask you to. You should look at the documents.””
She slid the envelope toward Detective Harris.
Inside were copies of old emails, photographs, and a handwritten letter.
The detective examined them before allowing me to read the because I ask you to. You should look at the documents.””
She slid the envelope toward Detective Harris.
Inside were copies of old emails, photographs, and a handwritten letter.
The detective examined them before allowing me to read the letter.
The paper had yellowed around the edges.
The handwriting was elegant and precise.
I recognized the name at letter.
The paper had yellowed around the edges.
The handwriting was elegant and precise.
I recognized the name at the bottom.
Margaret.
My mother.
I stopped breathing.
The letter was dated twenty-nine years earlier.
Thomas,
*I cannot continue pretending that what happened between us was a mistake that the bottom.
Margaret.
My mother.
I stopped breathing.
The letter was dated twenty-nine years earlier.
Thomas,
I cannot continue pretending that what happened between us was a mistake that can simply be erased. I have made my decision. I will not return to you, and I will not allow our daughter to grow up believing that love means obedience.
You have already taken too much from me.
I will not can simply be erased. I have made my decision. I will not return to you, and I will not allow our daughter to grow up believing that love means obedience.
You have already taken too much from me.
I will not let you take her future, too.
Do not contact me again.
Margaret.
My hands trembled.
“She's talking about a daughter.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Victoria.””
I looked at her let you take her future, too.*
Do not contact me again.
Margaret.
My hands trembled.
“She's talking about a daughter.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Victoria.””
I looked at her.
“How do you know?””
“Because I worked for Thomas Hale for eleven years. I handled his correspondence and organized his private archives. After he died, I was asked to help sort his personal papers.””
She paused.
“I found a file with your.
“How do you know?””
“Because I worked for Thomas Hale for eleven years. I handled his correspondence and organized his private archives. After he died, I was asked to help sort his personal papers.””
She paused.
“I found a file with your mother's name in it.””
Dad leaned forward.
“What was in the file?””
“Birth records. Letters. A photograph of Margaret holding a newborn baby.””
I stared at her.
“Where is the photograph?””
Rebecca reached into the envelope and removed mother's name in it.””
Dad leaned forward.
“What was in the file?””
“Birth records. Letters. A photograph of Margaret holding a newborn baby.””
I stared at her.
“Where is the photograph?””
Rebecca reached into the envelope and removed a small color print.
It showed a young woman sitting in a hospital bed, holding a baby wrapped in a white blanket.
My mother.
She looked barely older a small color print.
It showed a young woman sitting in a hospital bed, holding a baby wrapped in a white blanket.
My mother.
She looked barely older than twenty.
And the baby had the same dark hair I had inherited.
On the back, someone had written a name.
*Victoria Margaret Hale.*
I covered my mouth.
“My mother gave birth to her.””
“Yes,” Rebecca said. than twenty.
And the baby had the same dark hair I had inherited.
On the back, someone had written a name.
*Victoria Margaret Hale.*
I covered my mouth.
“My mother gave birth to her.””
“Yes,” Rebecca said.
“But the story didn't end there.””
She removed another document.
It was a copy of a letter written by Thomas Hale to a private attorney.
The letter referred to an “But the story didn't end there.””
She removed another document.
It was a copy of a letter written by Thomas Hale to a private attorney.
The letter referred to an agreement made shortly after Victoria's birth. It described a confidential adoption arrangement and payments made to ensure that Margaret would not pursue custody.
I looked at Dad.
He appeared agreement made shortly after Victoria's birth. It described a confidential adoption arrangement and payments made to ensure that Margaret would not pursue custody.
I looked at Dad.
He appeared stunned.
“Your mother may have believed she had no choice,” he said quietly.
I could barely hear him.
“Where did Victoria go?””
“According to the documents, she was raised by a couple who lived in Michigan. stunned.
“Your mother may have believed she had no choice,” he said quietly.
I could barely hear him.
“Where did Victoria go?””
“According to the documents, she was raised by a couple who lived in Michigan. They adopted her when she was very young. She grew up under the name Victoria Hale after returning to her biological father's family as an adult.””
“Did she know about my mother?””
“Eventually.””
“Did she know about me?””
Rebecca looked down.
“That's what I was trying They adopted her when she was very young. She grew up under the name Victoria Hale after returning to her biological father's family as an adult.””
“Did she know about my mother?””
“Eventually.””
“Did she know about me?””
Rebecca looked down.
“That's what I was trying to establish when she disappeared.””
The room went still.
Detective Harris turned toward her.
“Explain.””
Rebecca folded her hands.
“Victoria discovered that Thomas had kept records of Margaret's life. She found to establish when she disappeared.””
The room went still.
Detective Harris turned toward her.
“Explain.””
Rebecca folded her hands.
“Victoria discovered that Thomas had kept records of Margaret's life. She found a photograph of Margaret with a child who had been born years after her own adoption.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“That was me.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Victoria believed she had a younger sister. She began asking a photograph of Margaret with a child who had been born years after her own adoption.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“That was me.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Victoria believed she had a younger sister. She began asking questions about you.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“Did she ever contact me?””
“No. She tried to find a way to approach you without involving Thomas or the people connected to his business.””
“Why?””
questions about you.””
I gripped the edge of the table.
“Did she ever contact me?””
“No. She tried to find a way to approach you without involving Thomas or the people connected to his business.””
“Why?””
“Because she had discovered irregularities in several property transactions. She believed someone had used her identity and her family connections to conceal financial misconduct“Because she had discovered irregularities in several property transactions. She believed someone had used her identity and her family connections to conceal financial misconduct.””
Detective Harris leaned forward.
“Who did she suspect?””
Rebecca looked at me.
“Ryan Mitchell.””
The name landed like a stone.
“What did Ryan do?””
“I don't know everything. I only know Victoria believed he had.””
Detective Harris leaned forward.
“Who did she suspect?””
Rebecca looked at me.
“Ryan Mitchell.””
The name landed like a stone.
“What did Ryan do?””
“I don't know everything. I only know Victoria believed he had been using information from Thomas's private records to target people connected to wealthy families.””
I shook my head.
“Why would he target me?””
Rebecca hesitated.
Then she opened the envelope again and removed a final photograph.
It showed Ryan standing outside a building with Victoria.
On the back, in Victoria been using information from Thomas's private records to target people connected to wealthy families.””
I shook my head.
“Why would he target me?””
Rebecca hesitated.
Then she opened the envelope again and removed a final photograph.
It showed Ryan standing outside a building with Victoria.
On the back, in Victoria's handwriting, were the words:
He has found Margaret's other daughter.
I stared at the photograph.
“When was this taken?””
“Two months before Victoria disappeared.””
I looked at Rebecca.
“Was's handwriting, were the words:
He has found Margaret's other daughter.
I stared at the photograph.
“When was this taken?””
“Two months before Victoria disappeared.””
I looked at Rebecca.
“Was she talking about me?””
“Yes.””
“Did she know Ryan and I were together?””
“She knew he had begun asking questions about your family.””
I felt sick.
Rebecca leaned forward she talking about me?””
“Yes.””
“Did she know Ryan and I were together?””
“She knew he had begun asking questions about your family.””
I felt sick.
Rebecca leaned forward.
“Emily, Victoria was frightened. She told me she thought Ryan had approached her because of her father's money and influence. When she refused.
“Emily, Victoria was frightened. She told me she thought Ryan had approached her because of her father's money and influence. When she refused to cooperate with him, he became threatening.””
“Did she report him?””
“She tried to. But she was unable to prove what she suspected.””
“And then she disappeared.””
Rebecca nodded.
I looked at the letter again to cooperate with him, he became threatening.””
“Did she report him?””
“She tried to. But she was unable to prove what she suspected.””
“And then she disappeared.””
Rebecca nodded.
I looked at the letter again.
My mother had lost one daughter to a secret she was too frightened to expose.
And now I.
My mother had lost one daughter to a secret she was too frightened to expose.
And now I had spent years married to a man who might have known about that secret before I ever met him.
Detective Harris gathered the documents.
“We'll need to verify everything here. Rebecca, you may be asked to provide a formal statement.””
“Of course.””
I looked at Rebecca.
“Do you know where had spent years married to a man who might have known about that secret before I ever met him.
Detective Harris gathered the documents.
“We'll need to verify everything here. Rebecca, you may be asked to provide a formal statement.””
“Of course.””
I looked at Rebecca.
“Do you know where Victoria is now?””
She shook her head.
“No.””
“Then why did you send me that message?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Because yesterday, someone left a package at my Victoria is now?””
She shook her head.
“No.””
“Then why did you send me that message?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Because yesterday, someone left a package at my door.””
She reached into her bag and removed a small white envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
Victoria stood beside a brick wall, older than in the earlier pictures, her hair shorter and her face thinner door.””
She reached into her bag and removed a small white envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
Victoria stood beside a brick wall, older than in the earlier pictures, her hair shorter and her face thinner.
On the back was a handwritten message.
*Tell Emily that her sister is alive.*
I stared at the words.
My sister.
On the back was a handwritten message.
*Tell Emily that her sister is alive.*
I stared at the words.
My sister.
Alive.
For the first time since the night Ryan attacked me, hope rose inside me.
Then Rebecca turned the photograph over again.
“There was one more thing in the package,” she whispered.
“What?””
She slid a folded.
Alive.
For the first time since the night Ryan attacked me, hope rose inside me.
Then Rebecca turned the photograph over again.
“There was one more thing in the package,” she whispered.
“What?””
She slid a folded piece of paper across the table.
It contained an address.
And beneath it, in handwriting I recognized from the letters Ryan sometimes left on the kitchen counter, were five words.
**Bring piece of paper across the table.
It contained an address.
And beneath it, in handwriting I recognized from the letters Ryan sometimes left on the kitchen counter, were five words.
May you like
*Bring Emily alone. No police.*
Emily alone. No police.**
