Chapter 9: The Woman Behind Every Lie
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Nia.
She was crying so hard that she could barely breathe.
“Grandmother?”” I whispered.
Rebecca nodded.
“Evelyn wasia.
She was crying so hard that she could barely breathe.
“Grandmother?”” I whispered.
Rebecca nodded.
“Evelyn was my daughter. The daughter she took from me when she was three years old.””
I looked at the photograph again.
The little girl.
The crescent-shaped scar.
The same scar I had noticed on Nia's childhood my daughter. The daughter she took from me when she was three years old.””
I looked at the photograph again.
The little girl.
The crescent-shaped scar.
The same scar I had noticed on Nia's childhood photographs.
I turned toward my wife.
“Did you know?””
Nia shook her head.
“Not until I found the adoption records.””
“When?””
“Six photographs.
I turned toward my wife.
“Did you know?””
Nia shook her head.
“Not until I found the adoption records.””
“When?””
“Six months ago.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I was trying to understand it myself months ago.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I was trying to understand it myself.””
Rebecca reached for Nia's hand.
“My child.””
Nia looked.””
Rebecca reached for Nia's hand.
“My child.””
Nia looked at her.
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Then Rebecca began crying.
“I thought I had lost you.””
Nia leaned forward.
“I didn't know.””
“I know, sweetheart.””
Rebecca kissed at her.
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Then Rebecca began crying.
“I thought I had lost you.””
Nia leaned forward.
“I didn't know.””
“I know, sweetheart.””
Rebecca kissed her forehead.
“I know.””
I stood and walked toward the window.
My entire life had been built on lies.
My father had hidden her forehead.
“I know.””
I stood and walked toward the window.
My entire life had been built on lies.
My father had hidden my biological identity.
Evelyn had stolen her own daughter.
Daniel had been raised to hate the family he came from.
And the woman I had married was connected my biological identity.
Evelyn had stolen her own daughter.
Daniel had been raised to hate the family he came from.
And the woman I had married was connected to all of them.
I turned around.
“Why did Evelyn do this?””
Rebecca wiped her cheeks.
“ to all of them.
I turned around.
“Why did Evelyn do this?””
Rebecca wiped her cheeks.
“Because she wanted to control everyone.””
She explained that Evelyn had grown up watching Rebecca struggle.
She resented her sister for having children, even though Rebecca had very little money.
Because she wanted to control everyone.””
She explained that Evelyn had grown up watching Rebecca struggle.
She resented her sister for having children, even though Rebecca had very little money.
When Thomas offered to adopt Marcus, Evelyn saw an opportunity.
She arranged the paperwork.
She accepted money from Thomas.
And when sheWhen Thomas offered to adopt Marcus, Evelyn saw an opportunity.
She arranged the paperwork.
She accepted money from Thomas.
And when she realized he had begun investigating the adoption network, she turned against him.
But her greatest mistake was believing that she realized he had begun investigating the adoption network, she turned against him.
But her greatest mistake was believing that she could control Daniel forever.
“Daniel was a child,” Rebecca said.
“She told him that his mother had abandoned him. She told him Thomas could control Daniel forever.
“Daniel was a child,” Rebecca said.
“She told him that his mother had abandoned him. She told him Thomas had stolen his brother. She made him believe that everything he didn't have was Marcus's fault.””
I thought had stolen his brother. She made him believe that everything he didn't have was Marcus's fault.””
I thought about Daniel's words at the warehouse.
You got the house. The name. The father.
He hadn't simply been jealous.
He had been taught to hate me about Daniel's words at the warehouse.
You got the house. The name. The father.
He hadn't simply been jealous.
He had been taught to hate me.
But that didn't excuse what he had done.
“Why did Evelyn want our baby?”” I asked.
Rebecca looked at the photograph.
“Because the trust Thomas created wasn't just about money.””
“What else.
But that didn't excuse what he had done.
“Why did Evelyn want our baby?”” I asked.
Rebecca looked at the photograph.
“Because the trust Thomas created wasn't just about money.””
“What else?””
“It contained evidence.””
Detective Collins leaned forward.
“What kind of evidence?””
Rebecca hesitated.
“Names. Adoption records. Financial transfers.
Medical files. Everything?””
“It contained evidence.””
Detective Collins leaned forward.
“What kind of evidence?””
Rebecca hesitated.
“Names. Adoption records. Financial transfers.
Medical files. Everything Evelyn had tried to erase.””
I frowned.
“Why would my father's trust give control to the first grandchild?””
Evelyn had tried to erase.””
I frowned.
“Why would my father's trust give control to the first grandchild?””
“Because Thomas believed Evelyn would eventually try to access it. He wanted the documents protected by someone who had no connection to her.””
I looked at Nia.
“Our child.””
Rebecca nodded“Because Thomas believed Evelyn would eventually try to access it. He wanted the documents protected by someone who had no connection to her.””
I looked at Nia.
“Our child.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Your baby would inherit the trust automatically. Neither you nor.
“Your baby would inherit the trust automatically. Neither you nor Daniel could sell it, transfer it, or use it as collateral.””
I shook my head.
“So Daniel was planning to take our child Daniel could sell it, transfer it, or use it as collateral.””
I shook my head.
“So Daniel was planning to take our child?””
“Not necessarily physically,” Rebecca said.
“But he wanted to control the trust before the child was born.””
Nia suddenly looked up.
“He wanted me to sign a guardianship agreement.””
I turned?””
“Not necessarily physically,” Rebecca said.
“But he wanted to control the trust before the child was born.””
Nia suddenly looked up.
“He wanted me to sign a guardianship agreement.””
I turned toward her.
“What?””
“Before he attacked me, he brought documents to the office. He said if something happened to you, he wanted to help manage the company.””
I felt my jaw toward her.
“What?””
“Before he attacked me, he brought documents to the office. He said if something happened to you, he wanted to help manage the company.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“And you refused?””
“Yes.””
She wiped her eyes.
“That's when he threatened me.””
Detective Collins took notes.
“Do you tighten.
“And you refused?””
“Yes.””
She wiped her eyes.
“That's when he threatened me.””
Detective Collins took notes.
“Do you have a copy of those documents?””
“No. But I remember the lawyer's name.””
“Who?””
“Michael Grant.””
Detective Collins looked up.
“Michael Grant?””
Nia have a copy of those documents?””
“No. But I remember the lawyer's name.””
“Who?””
“Michael Grant.””
Detective Collins looked up.
“Michael Grant?””
Nia nodded.
“He prepared the paperwork.””
The detective exchanged a glance with one of her officers.
“What?”” I asked.
She nodded.
“He prepared the paperwork.””
The detective exchanged a glance with one of her officers.
“What?”” I asked.
She hesitated.
“Michael Grant is the attorney representing Daniel Price.””
I stared at her.
“Then he knows everything.””
“Possibly.””
“Can you arrest him?””
“Not without evidence connecting him to the crimes.””
Rebecca suddenly stood.
“There's evidence.””
We hesitated.
“Michael Grant is the attorney representing Daniel Price.””
I stared at her.
“Then he knows everything.””
“Possibly.””
“Can you arrest him?””
“Not without evidence connecting him to the crimes.””
Rebecca suddenly stood.
“There's evidence.””
We all turned.
She walked toward the wooden cabinet and removed a small envelope.
Inside was a photograph of a man standing beside Evelyn outside St. Catherine's Hospital.
He was younger, perhaps in his forties.
all turned.
She walked toward the wooden cabinet and removed a small envelope.
Inside was a photograph of a man standing beside Evelyn outside St. Catherine's Hospital.
He was younger, perhaps in his forties.
I recognized him immediately.
Michael Grant.
On the back ofI recognized him immediately.
Michael Grant.
On the back of the photograph was a date.
The day Nia and I were born.
I looked at Rebecca.
“What was he doing there?””
“He was the lawyer who handled the adoption paperwork.””
Detective Collins took the photograph.
“Did he arrange the the photograph was a date.
The day Nia and I were born.
I looked at Rebecca.
“What was he doing there?””
“He was the lawyer who handled the adoption paperwork.””
Detective Collins took the photograph.
“Did he arrange the adoption of both twins?””
Rebecca nodded.
“And he knew Evelyn was taking children from families.””
I looked at Nia.
“Then he knew who Daniel adoption of both twins?””
Rebecca nodded.
“And he knew Evelyn was taking children from families.””
I looked at Nia.
“Then he knew who Daniel was from the beginning.””
“Yes,” Rebecca whispered.
The detective immediately made a call.
She instructed her officers to locate Grant and secure his office.
Then she was from the beginning.””
“Yes,” Rebecca whispered.
The detective immediately made a call.
She instructed her officers to locate Grant and secure his office.
Then she turned toward me.
“Mr. Carter, I need to ask you something.””
“What?””
“Does Daniel have access to any of your personal accounts?””
“No.””
“Does he know your house turned toward me.
“Mr. Carter, I need to ask you something.””
“What?””
“Does Daniel have access to any of your personal accounts?””
“No.””
“Does he know your house alarm codes?””
“Yes.””
“Your father's study?””
“Yes.””
“Any security deposit boxes alarm codes?””
“Yes.””
“Your father's study?””
“Yes.””
“Any security deposit boxes?””
I thought about the brass key.
The railway locker.
The hospital.
Then I remembered something.
“My father had a safe deposit box at the bank.””
Detective Collins raised an eyebrow.
“Do you have access?””
?””
I thought about the brass key.
The railway locker.
The hospital.
Then I remembered something.
“My father had a safe deposit box at the bank.””
Detective Collins raised an eyebrow.
“Do you have access?””
“I don't know. But I remember seeing the paperwork when I was younger.””
I searched my phone for an old photograph of my father's documents“I don't know. But I remember seeing the paperwork when I was younger.””
I searched my phone for an old photograph of my father's documents.
There it was.
A bank receipt.
The number was partially visible.
I zoomed in.
*BOX 317.*
I looked at Nia.
“The railway locker wasn't the only thing marked 317.””
She nodded slowly.
“.
There it was.
A bank receipt.
The number was partially visible.
I zoomed in.
*BOX 317.*
I looked at Nia.
“The railway locker wasn't the only thing marked 317.””
She nodded slowly.
“Maybe they are connected.””
Rebecca suddenly gripped my arm.
“Marcus, don't go to that bank.””
“Why?””
“Because Evelyn already knows aboutMaybe they are connected.””
Rebecca suddenly gripped my arm.
“Marcus, don't go to that bank.””
“Why?””
“Because Evelyn already knows about it.””
I stared at her.
“How?””
“Thomas told her about the safe deposit box before he died.””
Detective Collins stepped closer.
“Does she know what's inside?””
Rebecca nodded.
“Yes.””
“What it.””
I stared at her.
“How?””
“Thomas told her about the safe deposit box before he died.””
Detective Collins stepped closer.
“Does she know what's inside?””
Rebecca nodded.
“Yes.””
“What?””
Rebecca's eyes filled with tears.
“Her daughter's original birth certificate. The adoption records. And the recording?””
Rebecca's eyes filled with tears.
“Her daughter's original birth certificate. The adoption records. And the recording of Thomas's last conversation.””
I felt cold.
“The recording of his death?””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“The recording of the person who ordered it.””
At 1:40 of Thomas's last conversation.””
I felt cold.
“The recording of his death?””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“The recording of the person who ordered it.””
At 1:40 p.m., Detective Collins received confirmation that Michael Grant had been found.
He was at his office.
When officers arrived, he was preparing to leave the country.
His passport p.m., Detective Collins received confirmation that Michael Grant had been found.
He was at his office.
When officers arrived, he was preparing to leave the country.
His passport was on his desk.
So was a plane ticket.
But he wasn't alone.
A woman was waiting in was on his desk.
So was a plane ticket.
But he wasn't alone.
A woman was waiting in his office.
Evelyn.
She had apparently been released after questioning because the police hadn't yet obtained sufficient grounds to hold her.
The moment Detective Collins told me, I felt my his office.
Evelyn.
She had apparently been released after questioning because the police hadn't yet obtained sufficient grounds to hold her.
The moment Detective Collins told me, I felt my stomach turn.
“She knows Rebecca is alive.””
“Yes,” the detective replied.
“And she knows we found the records.””
stomach turn.
“She knows Rebecca is alive.””
“Yes,” the detective replied.
“And she knows we found the records.””
“Yes.””
I looked at Nia.
She was sitting beside her grandmother, one hand resting protectively over her stomach.
I wanted to stay“Yes.””
I looked at Nia.
She was sitting beside her grandmother, one hand resting protectively over her stomach.
I wanted to stay.
I wanted to keep them both safe.
But Evelyn had spent decades controlling people through secrets.
I wanted to keep them both safe.
But Evelyn had spent decades controlling people through secrets.
It was time to stop running.
“I'm going to the bank.””
Detective Collins shook her head.
“You're not going.
It was time to stop running.
“I'm going to the bank.””
Detective Collins shook her head.
“You're not going anywhere without me.””
“Then let's go.””
The bank manager recognized my father's name immediately.
He led anywhere without me.””
“Then let's go.””
The bank manager recognized my father's name immediately.
He led us into a private office and examined the documents.
“Mr. Carter, this box was opened by your father thirty-seven years ago.””
“Has us into a private office and examined the documents.
“Mr. Carter, this box was opened by your father thirty-seven years ago.””
“Has anyone accessed it since?””
The manager checked the records.
“Yes. Once.””
“When?””
“Three weeks ago.””
My anyone accessed it since?””
The manager checked the records.
“Yes. Once.””
“When?””
“Three weeks ago.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who opened it?””
He examined the signature.
Then looked at me.
“Your mother.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“My mother is stomach tightened.
“Who opened it?””
He examined the signature.
Then looked at me.
“Your mother.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“My mother is dead.””
The manager hesitated.
“I'm referring to the person listed as your legal guardian.””
Evelyn.
Detective Collins immediately asked for a copy of the access records.
The manager opened the safe deposit box.
Inside were dead.””
The manager hesitated.
“I'm referring to the person listed as your legal guardian.””
Evelyn.
Detective Collins immediately asked for a copy of the access records.
The manager opened the safe deposit box.
Inside were three envelopes, a small cassette tape, and a black leather folder.
I reached for the first envelope.
It was addressed to me.
*Marcus — Open only when you know who you are.*
I unfolded the three envelopes, a small cassette tape, and a black leather folder.
I reached for the first envelope.
It was addressed to me.
*Marcus — Open only when you know who you are.*
I unfolded the letter.
My son,
If you are reading this, then I have failed to protect you from the truth.
You were never the child I was supposed to raise. You were the child I chose to love.
I stopped letter.
My son,
If you are reading this, then I have failed to protect you from the truth.
You were never the child I was supposed to raise. You were the child I chose to love.
I stopped.
My eyes burned.
Rebecca gave birth to two boys. I adopted one because she trusted me. I promised her I would protect you.
*I did.
My eyes burned.
Rebecca gave birth to two boys. I adopted one because she trusted me. I promised her I would protect you.
I did not keep that promise.
Evelyn was involved in the adoption network. She used my company to move money, and when I discovered the truth, she threatened to expose Rebecca's not keep that promise.
Evelyn was involved in the adoption network. She used my company to move money, and when I discovered the truth, she threatened to expose Rebecca's past.
But there is one thing she does not know.
Daniel was not the only child she took.
I looked up.
Detective Collins frowned.
“What does that mean?””
I past.*
But there is one thing she does not know.
Daniel was not the only child she took.
I looked up.
Detective Collins frowned.
“What does that mean?””
I continued reading.
There was a third child.
I froze.
A third child?
*Rebecca gave birth to triplets. The third baby was placed in a private adoption before either of us knew what Evelyn continued reading.
There was a third child.
I froze.
A third child?
Rebecca gave birth to triplets. The third baby was placed in a private adoption before either of us knew what Evelyn had arranged.
I felt the room tilt.
I looked at Rebecca's photograph in my mind.
Two babies.
Two hospital bracelets.
But my father was had arranged.*
I felt the room tilt.
I looked at Rebecca's photograph in my mind.
Two babies.
Two hospital bracelets.
But my father was saying three.
The letter continued.
The third child is the only person who knows where Evelyn hid the original evidence.
I stared at the final line.
Her name is Charlotte.
I saying three.
The letter continued.
The third child is the only person who knows where Evelyn hid the original evidence.
I stared at the final line.
Her name is Charlotte.
I looked at Detective Collins.
“Do you know anyone named Charlotte?””
She shook her head.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
There was no greeting.
No explanation.
Just a photograph.
A looked at Detective Collins.
“Do you know anyone named Charlotte?””
She shook her head.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
There was no greeting.
No explanation.
Just a photograph.
A young woman stood outside the hospital room where Nia had been treated.
She had dark hair.
Brown eyes.
And the same crescent-shaped scar above her left eyebrow.
Underneath the photograph was a message.
** young woman stood outside the hospital room where Nia had been treated.
She had dark hair.
Brown eyes.
And the same crescent-shaped scar above her left eyebrow.
Underneath the photograph was a message.
*You found Rebecca. You found Daniel. Now find me.*
I stared at theYou found Rebecca. You found Daniel. Now find me.**
I stared at the screen.
Another message arrived.
*I'm the sister they buried instead of Nia.*
My blood ran cold.
I looked at the detective.
“Someone else screen.
Another message arrived.
*I'm the sister they buried instead of Nia.*
My blood ran cold.
I looked at the detective.
“Someone else was supposed to be in that coffin.””
She took my phone.
Then read the final message.
*And Evelyn is coming for the baby tonight.*
was supposed to be in that coffin.””
She took my phone.
May you like
Then read the final message.
*And Evelyn is coming for the baby tonight.*
