Chapter 8: The Price of Getting My Son Back
I don't remember the drive back to Sterling Manor.
I remember Daniel shouting directions.
I remember Nia calling Noah's name into her phone.
And I remember the feeling in my chest when I realized that my son was somewhere without me.
When we arrived, Diane was standing in the entrance hall.
Her hands were shaking.
"Where is he?""
I grabbed her shoulders.
"Where's Noah?""
She started crying.
"I don't know.""
"How could you let this happen?""
"I didn't know Vanessa was coming.""
I stepped away.
"Where was Mrs. Alvarez?""
"Upstairs changing the guest room.""
"Where was security?""
Diane lowered her eyes.
"I told them Vanessa was family.""
I stared at her.
She had given my son to the woman who had helped keep his mother away from him.
"Did Vanessa threaten you?""
Diane shook her head.
"She said she needed to speak with Noah. She told me you had sent her.""
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"You believed her?""
"Marcus, I thought—"
"Stop thinking for me!""
My voice echoed through the hall.
Nia entered behind me.
"Did Vanessa say where she was taking him?""
Diane looked at her.
"No.""
Nia stepped closer.
"Did she say anything about the old Whitmore office?""
Diane hesitated.
Then she nodded.
"She said Richard had left something there.""
Daniel pulled out his phone.
"I'm calling the police.""
I nodded.
"Do it.""
Diane grabbed my arm.
"Marcus, please. If you involve the police, Vanessa might panic.""
I looked at her.
"She's already taken my child.""
My mother began crying harder.
"I made a terrible mistake.""
I stared at her.
"Yes, you did.""
Within twenty minutes, Daniel had located Vanessa's vehicle through the estate's security system.
It had been seen leaving the property at 9:17 p.m.
The license plate was registered to Claire Whitmore.
Police officers were on their way to the old accounting office.
I stood in my study, holding the original deed.
Nia was beside me.
"You can't give her that," she said.
"I know.""
"If Richard's records are there, we need to get them.""
"I know.""
"Marcus, listen to me.""
I looked at her.
"Vanessa might be desperate. She might do something reckless.""
I swallowed.
"She's not going to hurt Noah.""
Nia looked at me.
"You don't know that.""
I wanted to argue.
But I couldn't.
Because I didn't know.
I had spent years believing I understood Vanessa.
Now I wasn't sure I had ever known her at all.
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered immediately.
"Where is my son?""
Vanessa's voice came through.
"He's safe.""
"Put him on the phone.""
"Marcus—"
"NOW.""
There was a rustling sound.
Then Noah's small voice.
"Daddy?""
My knees nearly gave way.
"Buddy, are you okay?""
"I'm scared.""
I closed my eyes.
"Listen to me. You're going to be okay.""
"Where's Mommy?""
Nia reached for the phone.
I put it on speaker.
"Baby, Mommy's here.""
Noah began crying.
"Mommy, I want you.""
Nia covered her mouth.
"I'm coming, sweetheart. Daddy and I are coming.""
Vanessa took the phone back.
"Bring the deed.""
"Let me talk to you.""
"You have until midnight.""
"Vanessa, whatever you think you're doing, this isn't going to work.""
Her voice became cold.
"You don't understand, Marcus.""
"Then explain.""
"My father spent his entire life protecting that company. Your grandfather stole everything from him, and now you're going to take the last thing he left behind.""
"Your father stole land from Nia's family.""
"That's what they told you?""
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"I heard the recording.""
Silence.
Then Vanessa laughed.
A short, bitter sound.
"Then you've heard one side of the story.""
"Where is Noah?""
"With me.""
"Put him somewhere safe and leave.""
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because if I walk away, everything is over.""
I looked at Nia.
She was crying silently.
I lowered my voice.
"Vanessa, Noah loves you. Whatever happens between us, don't destroy his life.""
Her voice cracked.
"I did love him.""
"Then prove it.""
She ended the call.
At 11:38 p.m., Daniel and I arrived at the old Whitmore accounting office.
Nia stayed with the police, who had asked her to remain at the estate until they could establish a safe approach.
I hated leaving her behind.
But I knew Noah needed us to be careful.
The building stood between two abandoned warehouses.
Most of the windows were dark.
A single light glowed on the second floor.
Daniel parked around the corner.
"We should wait for the officers," he said.
I looked at the clock.
"We don't have time.""
"Marcus—"
"That's my son in there.""
Daniel nodded.
We walked toward the entrance.
The door was unlocked.
Inside, the air smelled of dust and damp carpet.
A staircase led to the second floor.
I heard a child's voice.
"Daddy?""
I ran.
At the top of the stairs, Vanessa stood in front of an office door.
Noah was sitting on a chair behind her.
His cheeks were wet.
"Buddy!""
I moved toward him.
Vanessa raised her hand.
"Stop.""
I froze.
"Let him go.""
"Do you have the deed?""
I held up the folder.
"Yes.""
"Give it to me.""
"First, Noah comes to me.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"You're not listening.""
"Then tell me what you want.""
She looked at the folder.
"My father left a second set of records. They're inside that office.""
"Then take them.""
"I can't open the safe.""
"Why?""
"Because your grandfather changed the combination before he died.""
I frowned.
"What?""
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
"Your mother knows the code.""
I stared at her.
"Where is she?""
Vanessa looked toward the staircase.
Then I heard footsteps.
Diane appeared.
She was holding a small black notebook.
"Marcus.""
I turned.
"Mom?""
She looked at Vanessa.
Then at Noah.
"I know the combination.""
Vanessa stepped aside.
Diane approached the office door.
"Give me the deed.""
I didn't move.
She sighed.
"Marcus, please. We can still fix this.""
"By handing you the document?""
"By protecting the family.""
I looked at Noah.
He was trembling.
"Mom, the family is standing right here.""
Diane's eyes filled with tears.
Then she looked at Vanessa.
"Open the door.""
Vanessa entered the office.
Diane followed.
I moved toward Noah.
But Vanessa suddenly shouted.
"Don't!""
She pulled a small envelope from her pocket.
"Your grandfather left something else.""
She held it up.
"Something that explains why he changed the trust.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
Vanessa smiled through her tears.
"Your grandfather didn't trust you, Marcus.""
My stomach tightened.
"What are you talking about?""
She opened the envelope and removed a handwritten letter.
Then she read the first sentence aloud.
*If Marcus ever discovers the truth about Noah's inheritance, he must never be allowed to control it.*
I stared at the paper.
Then I looked at Diane.
My mother was crying.
Not because she had been caught.
Because she already knew what the letter said.
Vanessa turned the page.
And read the next line.
*The rightful heir is not the child Marcus believes he fathered.*
My entire body went numb.
I looked at Noah.
Then at Vanessa.
"What does that mean?""
She lowered the letter.
May you like
And whispered:
"It means your grandfather knew Noah wasn't your biological son.""
