Chapter 6: The Inheritance He Tried to Steal
I read my mother's letter three times.
My fingers trembled so badly that Richard had to help me hold the paper.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
The same elegant curves.
The same small heart she used to draw above the letter i in my name.
I had spent seven years wishing I could see it again.
Now it was in my hands.
And it contained a warning.
*My darling Claire,*
*I never wanted you to become part of the Moretti family's darkness. I wanted you to grow up believing you could choose your own future.*
*But Vincent has found you.*
*If he is asking you to sign anything, refuse. If he tells you Richard is dead, don't believe him. And if he tells you he loves you, remember that he has wanted your inheritance since before your wedding day.*
I stopped reading.
My throat tightened.
Before my wedding day.
I looked at Richard.
"Did Vincent know who I was when he proposed?""
Richard lowered his eyes.
"Yes.""
"How long?""
"Since he was twenty-five.""
I shook my head.
"That's impossible. We met at a charity dinner.""
Richard nodded.
"That dinner was arranged.""
The room seemed to grow smaller.
I remembered that evening.
I had spilled champagne on Vincent's jacket.
He had laughed instead of getting angry.
He had offered me his hand and introduced himself.
I remembered thinking he was the most handsome man I had ever seen.
I remembered how he called me the next morning.
How he sent flowers.
How he remembered my coffee order.
How he had once driven across Chicago in a snowstorm because I mentioned feeling lonely.
Had every beautiful moment been rehearsed?
"Did he ever love me?"" I whispered.
Richard looked at me for a long time.
"I don't know, Claire.""
I laughed weakly.
"You're his father.""
"That doesn't mean I understand his heart.""
He sat beside my bed.
"Vincent was raised to believe that everything had a price. Love, loyalty, even family. When he discovered the trust, he became obsessed with controlling it.""
"What exactly is the trust?""
Richard opened a leather folder.
Inside were copies of legal documents.
"The Moretti Family Trust was established by my grandfather. It holds controlling interests in several legitimate businesses, including hospitals, commercial properties, and investment companies.""
I scanned the papers.
The figures were enormous.
Richard continued.
"Vincent controls the businesses operationally, but he does not own the original trust. Your mother was the beneficiary of a separate family branch. When she disappeared, the rights passed to you.""
I looked at the signature page.
My name was there.
Claire Moretti.
"How much?""
Richard didn't answer immediately.
"Enough that Vincent would lose control of nearly everything if you exercised your rights.""
I stared at him.
"So he needs my signature.""
"Yes.""
"And if I refuse?""
"He loses the leverage he's been building for years.""
I looked back at the letter.
There was another paragraph.
*There is one more thing you must know. Sophia Reynolds was never an accident. She was placed near Vincent by someone who knew exactly how he operated. She has her own reasons for wanting you gone.*
I looked up.
"Sophia?""
Richard's expression darkened.
"She's more dangerous than you realize.""
"Why?""
He leaned closer.
"Because her son is not Vincent's only connection to the family.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What does that mean?""
Richard glanced at Marcus.
"Not here.""
I was about to demand an answer when my phone rang.
Vincent.
I stared at the screen.
Richard shook his head.
"Don't answer.""
I picked up.
"Hello?""
"Claire.""
His voice was calm.
Almost affectionate.
"How are you feeling?""
I looked at Richard.
"Better.""
"Good. I spoke to the doctors. They tell me you should be discharged soon.""
"Perhaps.""
"I've arranged for a private medical team to take you home.""
"I don't want to go home.""
A pause.
"Don't be unreasonable.""
I almost smiled.
"You used to say that whenever I disagreed with you.""
"Claire, we need to talk about what happened.""
"About my tea?""
Silence.
Then his voice changed.
"What did you say?""
I looked directly at Richard.
"You heard me.""
Vincent exhaled.
"Who has been filling your head with nonsense?""
"Your father.""
The silence lasted several seconds.
Then Vincent laughed.
A quiet, humorless sound.
"Richard is very good at making people believe impossible things.""
"He is standing beside me.""
The laughter stopped.
"Put him on the phone.""
"No.""
"Claire.""
His voice became dangerously low.
"Put him on the phone.""
I ended the call.
My hand was shaking.
Richard looked at me.
"Now he knows.""
"Knows what?""
"That you know the truth.""
He stood.
"We need to move you somewhere safe.""
Marcus immediately stepped forward.
"I can arrange transport.""
Richard shook his head.
"Not through the main entrance. Vincent controls too many people here.""
Dr. Hayes entered before anyone could respond.
"What's happening?""
I explained.
She looked at Richard.
"You're Richard Moretti?""
"Yes.""
She studied him.
Then she looked at my chart.
"Mrs. Moretti is not medically cleared for transport.""
Richard nodded.
"Then we'll protect her here.""
Dr. Hayes turned toward me.
"I also have an update about the toxicology samples.""
My heart jumped.
"What did you find?""
She pulled a chair closer.
"We haven't identified a definitive substance yet, but the initial screening showed an unusual compound that warrants further testing.""
"Could it have caused my breathing problems?""
"It may have contributed. We need specialist confirmation.""
Richard closed his eyes.
"Dear God.""
I looked at him.
"Did you know?""
He shook his head.
"I suspected Vincent was doing something. I never imagined he'd go this far.""
Dr. Hayes placed another paper on the table.
"There's one additional concern. Someone attempted to access the laboratory's sample records this morning.""
Marcus straightened.
"Who?""
"The request came through a senior administrative account.""
I already knew the answer.
Vincent.
Richard picked up his cane.
"We're leaving tonight.""
Dr. Hayes shook her head.
"Not until she's stable.""
Richard looked toward the window.
"Then tonight, we bring protection here.""
For the next two hours, Marcus arranged additional security.
I stayed in bed, reading my mother's letter.
There was a final page.
I had missed it earlier because it had been folded inside the envelope.
I opened it carefully.
*Claire,*
*If Richard has found you, ask him about the night of the fire.*
*The truth about your mother's disappearance is not the only truth Vincent has hidden.*
*Your father is alive, too.*
I stopped breathing.
My father.
I had never known him.
My mother had always told me he died before I was born.
I looked at Richard.
"Who was my father?""
His expression changed.
He slowly sat down.
"His name was Alexander Hayes.""
I blinked.
"Hayes?""
Richard nodded.
"He was a brilliant businessman. He helped establish the original Moretti medical foundation.""
I looked toward the door.
"Is he alive?""
Richard's eyes filled with sorrow.
"Yes.""
"Where is he?""
Richard hesitated.
Then he gave me an answer I couldn't understand.
"He's closer than you think.""
Before I could ask another question, the hospital room door opened.
A nurse entered carrying a tray.
"Mrs. Moretti, your evening medication.""
Dr. Hayes immediately looked up.
"Who ordered that?""
The nurse glanced at the chart.
"Mr. Moretti's office.""
Dr. Hayes approached the tray.
"Put it down.""
The nurse frowned.
"Doctor, it's the usual prescription.""
"I said put it down.""
Something in her tone made everyone freeze.
She examined the medication label.
Then she checked the electronic prescription.
Her face went pale.
"Who prepared this?""
The nurse swallowed.
"I don't know. It was delivered from the executive pharmacy.""
Dr. Hayes picked up the medication list.
"This isn't part of her current treatment.""
Marcus moved toward the door.
"Secure the hallway.""
Richard gripped his cane.
"Vincent.""
I stared at the small medicine cup.
A few hours earlier, I might have swallowed it without question.
I looked at Dr. Hayes.
"What is it?""
"I don't know yet.""
She placed the cup inside a sealed specimen container.
Then she turned toward Marcus.
"Nobody touches anything else in this room.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from Vincent appeared.
*I heard you're refusing your medication. Don't make me come there again.*
Another message followed.
*You have no idea what you're doing, Claire.*
I stared at the screen.
Then I typed something I had never imagined saying to my husband.
I'm not your prisoner anymore.
His reply came instantly.
*Then perhaps you should meet the man who has been paying for your life.*
I looked at Richard.
He had gone completely pale.
"What does that mean?"" I whispered.
Richard slowly lowered himself into the chair.
"Claire, there's something I haven't told you.""
"What?""
He looked at Dr. Hayes.
Then at the hospital room door.
"Alexander Hayes isn't simply your father.""
My heart began racing.
Richard leaned closer.
"He is the man who founded the hospital where you're lying.""
I stared at him.
He continued.
"And he never gave Vincent permission to take it.""
Suddenly, the hospital intercom crackled.
A security officer's voice echoed through the room.
"Attention. We have an unauthorized individual entering the private medical wing.""
Marcus reached for his radio.
"Who?""
The response came after a few seconds.
"Male. Approximately sixty years old. He claims to be here for Claire Moretti.""
Richard stood so quickly that his cane struck the floor.
I looked toward the doorway.
"Who is it?""
The officer's voice came through again.
"His name is Alexander Hayes.""
My lips parted.
Then the door handle slowly turned.
A man entered.
He had silver hair, tired blue eyes, and a small scar near his temple.
He looked at me as though he had spent a lifetime searching for my face.
Then he whispered:
"My little girl.""
And behind him, standing in the corridor, was Vincent.
He was smiling.
May you like
"Wonderful," my husband said.
"Now that the whole family is together, we can finally discuss the inheritance.""
