Chapter 9: The Father Who Was Never Dead
James dropped the phone.
For several seconds, he simply stared at it.
Then he whispered, "That's impossible.""
I picked it up.
The investigator was still speaking.
"Mr. Sterling? Are you there?""
James took the phone.
"My father is dead.""
"According to the records, yes. But Dr. Hayes claims Richard Sterling was alive at the time of the deliveries.""
James shook his head.
"He died eight years ago. I attended his funeral.""
The investigator replied carefully.
"We're checking the claim. Dr. Hayes has provided a photograph and several documents.""
James looked at me.
His face had become almost colorless.
"Send them.""
The investigator agreed.
The call ended.
I stood beside James.
"Did you ever see your father's body?""
He looked at me.
"Of course.""
"Are you sure?""
He swallowed.
"His funeral was closed-casket.""
I felt a chill.
"Why?""
"Mother said the accident had damaged his face.""
I stared at him.
"James...""
He pressed both hands against his forehead.
"Stop. Please.""
I wanted to comfort him.
But I couldn't ignore what we'd just learned.
For eight years, Margaret had told everyone that Richard Sterling had died in a private boating accident.
She had organized the funeral.
She had handled his estate.
She had taken control of the family company.
And now a retired doctor was claiming that Richard had been alive when our daughters were born.
James paced across the living room.
"Mother told me Dad died overseas.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"She said the accident happened near the coast. They couldn't bring him home immediately.""
"Then why was there a funeral?""
"She said they had recovered enough remains for identification.""
He stopped.
"Emily, I saw a coffin.""
I looked at him.
"Did you see your father?""
He didn't answer.
A notification appeared on my phone.
The investigator had sent three attachments.
The first was a photograph.
An older man stood beside Margaret outside a medical building.
He had gray hair, a slight stoop, and a distinctive scar near his right temple.
I recognized him from the family photographs.
Richard Sterling.
The second attachment was a hospital visitor log.
The date was Lily's birthday.
The visitor's name was Richard Sterling.
The third attachment was a handwritten document.
It was signed by Margaret.
I opened it.
Richard has agreed to take responsibility for the second child. The arrangement must remain confidential until the family is secure.
I read it twice.
Then I handed the phone to James.
He stared at the signature.
"That's my mother's handwriting.""
I nodded.
"What second child?""
He looked at the photograph again.
"Maybe Lily.""
Before we could continue, Mrs. Collins entered the room.
"Mr. and Mrs. Sterling?""
I turned.
"Yes?""
"There's a man at the front gate.""
James looked toward the window.
"Who?""
"He says his name is Richard Sterling.""
The world seemed to stop.
James walked to the door.
I followed.
"Wait.""
He turned.
"Emily, stay inside.""
"No.""
"Please.""
I shook my head.
"We're done hiding from people who think they can control this family.""
James opened the door.
An elderly man stood on the front steps.
He wore a dark overcoat and carried a wooden walking stick.
His hair was almost completely white.
But the scar near his temple was unmistakable.
James stared at him.
The man smiled faintly.
"Hello, son.""
James took a step backward.
"You're dead.""
Richard sighed.
"That's what your mother wanted everyone to believe.""
James's voice cracked.
"Why?""
Richard looked past him.
His eyes settled on me.
Then he noticed the children's drawings on the table.
"Where are the girls?""
James moved in front of him.
"Don't come inside.""
Richard nodded.
"I understand.""
"Why are you here?""
Richard looked tired.
"Because Margaret has finally lost control of the situation.""
I folded my arms.
"You knew about the babies.""
He looked at me.
"Yes.""
"And you knew she had switched them?""
Richard nodded slowly.
"Yes.""
James clenched his fists.
"Then you were part of it?""
Richard looked down.
"I was.""
James stepped toward him.
"How could you?""
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of what?""
Richard's eyes filled.
"Your mother.""
James laughed bitterly.
"You let her destroy two children's lives because you were afraid of your wife?""
Richard didn't defend himself.
He simply lowered his head.
I felt anger rising in my chest.
"Where were you for six years?""
"Abroad.""
"Living under a false identity?""
He nodded.
"Margaret arranged it.""
"Why?""
Richard looked at James.
"Because she needed everyone to believe I was dead. She wanted control of the Sterling company without anyone questioning her decisions.""
James stared.
"And the children?""
Richard took a breath.
"Margaret wanted Lily.""
"Why?""
"Because Lily was created from her egg and Daniel's genetic material. She considered the child her second chance to keep Daniel alive.""
James shook his head.
"That's sick.""
Richard continued.
"She also wanted Grace removed from Emily's life because Grace was the result of an embryo created using Emily's genetic material and a donor Margaret had selected.""
I stared.
"Who was the donor?""
Richard hesitated.
"Me.""
The room fell silent.
I felt my stomach turn.
"You're Grace's biological father?""
He nodded.
"Margaret arranged it.""
James looked horrified.
"You and Mother created an embryo?""
Richard closed his eyes.
"Yes.""
I stepped backward.
I had thought the truth couldn't become worse.
I was wrong.
Richard continued.
"Your mother wanted a child who would belong to the Sterling family. She believed you and Emily might never have children naturally. She arranged the embryos without your knowledge.""
James's voice was almost a whisper.
"And you agreed?""
"I was weak. I wanted to please her. I thought we were helping you.""
I stared at him.
"You helped her steal my child.""
Richard nodded.
"Yes.""
"Why was Grace given to Claire?""
"Because Margaret didn't want the children raised together. She believed Lily needed to remain in the Sterling household, while Grace could be placed with someone who would never challenge her.""
James looked toward the kitchen.
"Where does Daniel fit into this?""
Richard's expression changed.
"Daniel discovered the arrangement shortly before his accident.""
James froze.
"What?""
"He found out Margaret had used his genetic material without his full understanding of what she intended.""
I gripped the edge of the table.
"Did Daniel know about the embryos?""
Richard nodded.
"He knew Margaret had asked him to provide a sample for a fertility treatment. She told him she was helping preserve the family's future.""
James shook his head.
"But he wanted a child with Sarah.""
"Yes. When he discovered what she had done, he threatened to expose her.""
I stared at Richard.
"And then he died.""
Richard looked away.
"Yes.""
James grabbed his father's coat.
"Did Mother kill him?""
Richard's face tightened.
"I don't know.""
"Don't lie to me!""
Richard raised his hands.
"I was told Daniel's accident was unfortunate. But I later found documents suggesting Margaret had arranged for him to be followed that night.""
James released him.
His face was filled with horror.
Richard reached into his coat.
He removed a small black flash drive.
"This contains the original medical agreements, bank transfers, and correspondence between Margaret and the clinic.""
James took it.
"Why didn't you give this to the police?""
"Because Margaret threatened to destroy the company and expose my involvement.""
I looked at him.
"You were more worried about your reputation than your grandchildren.""
Richard nodded.
"I know.""
James turned toward the door.
"You're going to the police.""
Richard didn't resist.
"Yes.""
But before he could leave, a loud crash came from the kitchen.
I ran.
Lily stood beside the table.
Grace was crying.
A ceramic mug lay shattered on the floor.
"What's happened?""
Lily looked at me.
"Grandpa came.""
I froze.
"What?""
Grace pointed toward the window.
"He was outside earlier.""
I turned.
Through the glass, I saw a black vehicle parked across the street.
A man stood beside it.
He was holding a phone.
Then it rang.
James answered.
A familiar voice came through.
Margaret.
"James, I understand your father has finally decided to visit.""
James's face hardened.
"What do you want?""
"I want my granddaughter.""
"Which one?""
Margaret laughed softly.
"Don't play games.""
"Neither child is yours to control.""
Her voice became cold.
"Then perhaps you should know what your father has hidden from you.""
James looked at Richard.
"What now?""
Margaret continued.
"Richard wasn't the only person involved in the original arrangement.""
James closed his eyes.
"Mother, enough.""
"Your father has been lying to you about Daniel's accident.""
James went completely still.
"What are you saying?""
Margaret lowered her voice.
"Ask Richard who was driving the boat that night.""
James turned slowly toward his father.
Richard's face had gone white.
I whispered, "James?""
Richard looked at his son.
Then he spoke.
"I was there.""
James stepped backward.
"At the accident?""
Richard nodded.
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Richard's voice cracked.
"Because I was the one who brought Daniel out onto the water.""
James stared at him.
"Did you know what was going to happen?""
Richard looked down.
"No.""
But then his phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
It was from an unknown number.
A photograph showed Daniel standing beside a boat on the night he died.
Richard was visible behind him.
And Margaret stood near the dock.
Underneath the photograph was a message:
*"Daniel didn't die in an accident. He discovered that one of the children had been taken before he could stop it.""*
James looked at his father.
"Who sent this?""
Richard didn't answer.
Then he whispered:
"Daniel.""
I felt the room tilt.
James stared at him.
"Daniel is dead.""
Richard shook his head.
"No, son.""
His eyes filled with tears.
"The body in that coffin wasn't your brother.""
The front door suddenly opened.
A police officer stepped inside.
"Mr. Sterling, we need everyone to remain where they are.""
Richard turned toward him.
But before the officer could speak again, James's phone rang.
This time, the caller ID displayed a name.
*DANIEL STERLING.*
James stared at the screen.
His hand trembled.
Then he answered.
A man's voice came through.
Older.
Exhausted.
But unmistakably familiar from the old recordings James had kept.
"James?""
My husband couldn't speak.
The voice continued.
"I know you have questions.""
James swallowed.
"Daniel?""
A pause.
Then the man whispered:
"Brother, I'm alive. And Margaret knows exactly where I've been hiding.""
The call ended.
James stood motionless.
Then a second message arrived.
It contained an address.
May you like
And one final sentence.
*"Come alone if you want to know which of the two girls I have been trying to protect.""*
