Chapter 7: The Truth About My Father
I called Claire back immediately.
No answer.
I tried again.
Nothing.
Margaret took the phone from my hand.
"She'll call when she's ready.""
I turned toward her.
"She said something about my father's death.""
Margaret looked down.
"I know.""
My stomach tightened.
"What do you know?""
She walked slowly toward the fireplace.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she reached into the pocket of her cardigan and removed an old photograph.
It showed my father standing outside a hospital.
My mother was beside him.
And behind them was Claire.
I stared at it.
"Where was this taken?""
"St. Mary's Hospital. Twenty-three years ago.""
I looked at the date.
It was three years before Brianna was born.
"Why were they all together?""
Margaret sat down.
"Because Claire was pregnant.""
I blinked.
"I thought Brianna was born twenty-three years ago.""
"She was.""
Margaret paused.
"Your mother told everyone that Claire had abandoned her baby. But the truth was more complicated.""
I sat opposite her.
"Tell me.""
"Claire had been struggling financially. Your grandmother's business was collapsing after Denise took control. Your father helped Claire find a place to live.""
I frowned.
"My father?""
"Yes. Michael was the only person who believed Claire deserved to raise her daughter.""
"Then why did she leave?""
Margaret looked toward the photograph.
"Because Denise threatened to expose something about Claire that could have destroyed her life.""
"What?""
"She accused Claire of stealing money from the family business.""
I shook my head.
"Was it true?""
"No.""
Margaret leaned forward.
"Your mother had transferred money out of the company herself. She used Claire's signature.""
My chest tightened.
"And my father knew?""
"He discovered it.""
I stared at the photograph.
"Why didn't he report her?""
"Because Denise threatened to make sure Claire never saw Brianna again.""
I covered my mouth.
My father had spent his life trying to keep our family together.
Even when it meant protecting the people who hurt him.
My phone rang.
Claire.
I answered.
"Please don't hang up.""
"I won't.""
Her voice sounded strained.
"I heard what Margaret told you.""
"Why didn't you ever contact us?""
"I tried.""
"When?""
"After your father died.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"Denise sent me a message saying you didn't want anything to do with me. She said you blamed me for Brianna's absence from the family.""
I shook my head.
"I didn't even know you existed.""
Claire began crying.
"I know that now.""
I looked at Margaret.
She had tears in her eyes.
Claire continued.
"Your father called me before he died. He said he had finally arranged everything. He wanted you to receive the trust documents and learn the truth.""
"What happened?""
"He told me Denise had discovered the plan.""
I felt cold.
"What do you mean?""
"He said your mother had been asking questions about the company shares. Then, two weeks later, he died.""
I stopped breathing.
"Are you saying my mother had something to do with his death?""
Claire hesitated.
"I don't know.""
"Then why did you say that?""
"Because your father left me a message.""
I gripped the phone.
"What message?""
"He said if anything happened to him, I should make sure you never trusted the official version of events.""
My mind raced.
Dad had died after a sudden medical emergency.
The doctors had said it was a heart complication.
My mother had handled everything.
She had insisted on a private funeral.
She had told us not to ask too many questions.
I had been too devastated to challenge her.
But now every memory felt different.
"Do you have the message?"" I asked.
"Yes.""
"Can you send it?""
"I will.""
A moment later, my phone vibrated.
An audio file appeared.
I pressed play.
My father's voice filled the room.
"Nia, sweetheart. If you're hearing this, something has gone wrong.""
My eyes filled immediately.
"I need you to understand that the company was never meant to belong to Denise. Your grandmother created a trust, and Claire is the rightful guardian of the original records.""
He paused.
Then his voice lowered.
"Your mother has been trying to force a transfer. I've refused. She says she's doing it for Brianna, but I know there's something else.""
I held my breath.
"There's a document in the bank safe. It explains the original agreement. Don't let Denise sign anything on your behalf.""
The recording ended.
I stared at the screen.
Maya was standing behind me.
"Did he say anything else?""
I shook my head.
Then another message appeared.
From Claire.
There's a second recording.
I opened it.
This time, my father sounded angry.
"Denise, I know what you did.""
A woman's voice replied.
My mother's.
"Michael, you don't understand.""
"I understand perfectly. You forged Evelyn's signature.""
"She was going to give everything to Claire.""
"Because Claire helped build the company.""
"And what about Brianna? What about my daughter?""
"She's not your daughter, Denise.""
There was a long silence.
Then my mother's voice became sharp.
"She is mine in every way that matters.""
My father sighed.
"You cannot keep doing this.""
"Then stop trying to take everything away from me.""
The recording ended abruptly.
I sat frozen.
My mother had known the truth.
She had known Brianna wasn't biologically hers.
She had known about the trust.
And she had argued with my father about it shortly before he died.
Maya placed a hand on my shoulder.
"We need Daniel.""
I nodded.
But before I could call him, a new email arrived.
It was from the Bellamy Foundation.
Subject: URGENT — Additional Evidence Submitted by Brianna Carter.
I opened it.
There was a scanned document attached.
It appeared to be a signed statement from my father.
The statement claimed that I had stolen my grandmother's original designs and that Brianna was the rightful owner of the entire collection.
I stared at the signature.
It looked real.
Too real.
Daniel examined it over video call.
After several seconds, he leaned closer to his camera.
"Where did this come from?""
"The foundation received it from Brianna.""
He studied the page.
Then he frowned.
"Nia, this is a serious problem.""
"Is it genuine?""
"No.""
"How do you know?""
Daniel enlarged the signature.
"Your father signed his name with a slight upward stroke at the end. This one has been copied from an earlier document.""
He paused.
"Someone has used an old signature to create a new statement.""
I exhaled.
"Can we prove it?""
"Yes. But we need the original document they copied.""
I looked at Margaret.
She nodded.
"The bank has it.""
Daniel looked relieved.
"Then we need to retrieve it immediately.""
He paused again.
"There's something else. Brianna has just requested that the foundation allow her to present the original gown tomorrow.""
I frowned.
"She already has it.""
"No, Nia.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"She claims you gave it to her as a gift.""
I looked at the damaged gown resting beside me.
My sister had taken my dress.
My mother had forged my father's legacy.
And now they were trying to make the world believe I had willingly handed everything over.
I closed the laptop.
"Then tomorrow, I'll tell the truth.""
Maya nodded.
"Every word.""
I looked down at my grandmother's letter.
"No," I said quietly.
"Not every word.""
May you like
I touched the silver pendant.
"Only the truth they can't escape.""
