Chapter 6: The Truth My Mother Took to Her Grave
"Because I already know who her biological father is.""
My father's words seemed to echo around Eleanor Price's office.
I stared at him.
"What does that mean?""
Dad looked down at his hands.
For the first time in my life, he seemed afraid to meet my eyes.
"Your mother and I had a difficult conversation before she died," he said quietly.
I swallowed.
"About my father?""
He nodded.
Eleanor gently closed the folder.
"Perhaps this is a conversation the two of you should have privately.""
Dad shook his head.
"No. Maya deserves to hear everything. Especially after someone has been using this information against her.""
I pulled my chair closer.
"Please tell me.""
Dad took a long breath.
"Your biological father was a man named Daniel Reed.""
The name meant nothing to me.
"Who is he?""
"He and your mother knew each other before she met me. They dated briefly. Your mother became pregnant after they separated.""
I stared at him.
"Then you married her?""
Dad shook his head.
"No. I met Evelyn when you were six months old. I knew she had a daughter.
I knew Daniel wasn't involved. But I fell in love with both of you.""
My eyes filled.
"Did you adopt me?""
"Yes. Legally, I became your father when you were two.""
I looked at the documents.
"So I'm really your daughter.""
Dad reached across the desk.
"Every day of your life, sweetheart.""
I started crying.
He squeezed my hand.
"Your mother told me about Daniel before we got married. She said he wasn't ready to be a father. He disappeared when she told him about the pregnancy.""
"Did he ever come back?""
"No.""
"Then why is Denise suddenly bringing him up?""
Dad looked toward Eleanor.
She opened another file.
"Because someone contacted our office claiming to represent Daniel Reed.""
I frowned.
"Represent him how?""
"Apparently, they were questioning the validity of your mother's estate arrangements because they believed your biological father had inheritance rights.""
Dad shook his head.
"That's impossible. The adoption was finalized years ago.""
"Correct," Eleanor said.
"Your adoption legally established Marcus as your father. Daniel has no automatic claim to your mother's trust.""
I looked at the email again.
"Who sent this?""
Eleanor pointed to the sender information.
The address was unfamiliar, but the name attached to it was not.
Leonard Carter.
Denise's brother.
Dad leaned back.
"He's involved in this too.""
Eleanor nodded.
"That is what concerns me.""
I felt sick.
"Why would Leonard pretend to represent my biological father?""
"We don't know yet.""
Dad stood.
"We're going to find out.""
On the drive home, neither of us spoke much.
I watched the buildings pass outside the passenger window.
Finally, I asked the question that had been bothering me.
"Dad, did you ever regret adopting me?""
He pulled the truck into a parking lot.
Then he turned toward me.
"Maya, look at me.""
I did.
"Your mother was the greatest love of my life. You were the greatest gift she ever gave me. I didn't adopt you because I felt obligated. I adopted you because I couldn't imagine a life without you.""
I wiped my cheeks.
"Then why didn't you tell me?""
"Because your mother wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand. We planned to tell you when you turned eighteen.""
I nodded slowly.
"Okay.""
He reached for my hand.
"But I should have told you sooner, especially once Denise started asking questions.""
When we arrived home, Denise was sitting at the kitchen table.
She had changed into a cream-colored sweater and applied fresh makeup.
A folder rested beside her coffee.
"Marcus," she said sweetly.
"We need to talk.""
Dad didn't take off his jacket.
"About what?""
"About our family.""
She looked at me.
"Perhaps Maya should go upstairs.""
"No," Dad said.
Denise's smile disappeared.
"Marcus, this is between adults.""
"Then explain why Leonard is pretending to represent Maya's biological father.""
Her coffee cup stopped halfway to her mouth.
I watched her carefully.
She placed it down.
"I don't know what you're talking about.""
Dad pulled out a chair.
"Your brother contacted my daughter's trust attorney.""
"He's trying to help.""
"By challenging her adoption?""
Denise sighed.
"Daniel Reed has rights.""
"No, he doesn't.""
"You don't know that.""
"I do. The adoption was finalized fifteen years ago.""
Denise leaned forward.
"Maybe there's something in the original paperwork you haven't seen.""
Dad stared at her.
"Where did you get this information?""
She didn't answer.
Then Jordan entered the kitchen.
He looked at Denise.
"Mom, did you tell Dad about the money?""
She turned sharply.
"Jordan, go upstairs.""
"No. I'm tired of this.""
Dad looked at him.
"What money?""
Jordan rubbed his face.
"Leonard said Mom was supposed to get another thirty thousand dollars once Maya's trust was released.""
My heart stopped.
Denise stood.
"Jordan!""
He continued.
"He said the plan was to use it to pay off the people he owed.""
Dad's expression turned cold.
"What plan?""
Jordan looked at me.
Then he looked at his mother.
"Mom said Maya wouldn't need the money because she was going to lose access to the trust anyway.""
I stared at Denise.
She had been planning to take my inheritance before I even knew the money existed.
Dad rose slowly.
"Denise, I want you to pack your things.""
She laughed.
"You're throwing me out?""
"I'm asking you to leave.""
"This is my house!""
"No. It's my house.""
She pointed at me.
"You're doing all this because of her?""
Dad's voice was steady.
"I'm doing this because you forged documents, moved money out of an education account, and involved your brother in a scheme against my daughter.""
Denise's face twisted.
"You'll regret this.""
Dad opened the kitchen door.
"Maybe. But not as much as I regret trusting you.""
She stormed upstairs.
Jordan remained in the kitchen.
He looked at the floor.
"I'm sorry, Maya.""
I didn't answer.
He swallowed.
"Mom told me it was all legal.""
I looked at him.
"You knew she was trying to take my car.""
He nodded.
"And the money?""
He looked away.
"I knew some of it.""
I felt a fresh wave of anger.
"Then don't tell me you're sorry because you got caught.""
He didn't argue.
That evening, Dad helped me move the jewelry box into my bedroom.
He placed Mom's letter on my nightstand.
For the first time in years, I felt like a piece of her had returned to my life.
But just before midnight, Dad's phone rang.
He answered it in the hallway.
I heard his voice rise.
"Who told you that?""
A pause.
Then:
"No. That's not possible.""
He returned to my room holding his phone.
"Maya, Eleanor just called.""
"What happened?""
"Leonard has submitted another document.""
"What document?""
Dad looked at me.
"A statement claiming your mother promised Daniel Reed a portion of your inheritance.""
Then he showed me the final line.
It was signed by a witness.
May you like
Sandra Miller.
Denise's closest friend.
