The Woman He Slapped While Carrying His Heir

I read the His Grave

I read the final sentence of my father's letter until the words stopped final sentence of my father's letter until the words stopped looking like words.

The man who ordered the car to follow me was Marcus Hale's father.

For twenty-two years, I looking like words.

The man who ordered the car to follow me was Marcus Hale's father.

For twenty-two years, I had believed my father died in a rainy-night car accident on a country road outside Boston. had believed my father died in a rainy-night car accident on a country road outside Boston. My mother had told me that his car skidded on wet pavement, struck a guardrail, and rolled My mother had told me that his car skidded on wet pavement, struck a guardrail, and rolled down an embankment. She had never mentioned another vehicle.

She had never suggested that anyone might down an embankment. She had never mentioned another vehicle. She had never suggested that anyone might have wanted him dead.

And now my mother-in-law was sitting beside my hospital bed, holding the secret have wanted him dead.

And now my mother-in-law was sitting beside my hospital bed, holding the secret that had shaped my entire life.

“Tell me everything,” I said.

Eleanor's eyes that had shaped my entire life.

“Tell me everything,” I said.

Eleanor's eyes dropped to the letter.

“Claire, I know how this looks.””

“No dropped to the letter.

“Claire, I know how this looks.””

“No. You don't.”” My voice shook.

“You knew my father. You knew something about. You don't.”” My voice shook.

“You knew my father. You knew something about his death, and you let me marry his family's son without telling me.””

“I didn't his death, and you let me marry his family's son without telling me.””

“I didn't know Marcus was involved in any of this.””

“But you knew his know Marcus was involved in any of this.””

“But you knew his father was.””

She flinched.

That tiny movement was enough to make my father was.””

She flinched.

That tiny movement was enough to make my stomach turn.

I pushed the blanket away and tried to sit up. A stomach turn.

I pushed the blanket away and tried to sit up. A sharp pull across my abdomen forced me to stop, and I pressed the call button beside the bed.

Eleanor reached for my hand.

sharp pull across my abdomen forced me to stop, and I pressed the call button beside the bed.

Eleanor reached for my hand.

“Please, darling. You need to stay calm.””

“Don't call me darling.””

She withdrew her hand as“Please, darling. You need to stay calm.””

“Don't call me darling.””

She withdrew her hand as though I had slapped her.

The door opened, and a nurse hurried in.

“Everything all right in though I had slapped her.

The door opened, and a nurse hurried in.

“Everything all right in here?””

“I need a few minutes alone with my mother-in-law,” I said.

“And I'd like the here?””

“I need a few minutes alone with my mother-in-law,” I said.

“And I'd like the doctor to know that I'm feeling tense again.””

The nurse checked the monitor, reminded doctor to know that I'm feeling tense again.””

The nurse checked the monitor, reminded me to remain resting, and promised to return shortly.

When the me to remain resting, and promised to return shortly.

When the door closed, I turned back to Eleanor.

“Start with the truth.””

She stared door closed, I turned back to Eleanor.

“Start with the truth.””

She stared at the letter for several seconds.

“Your father, Thomas Bennett, was an accountant. But he wasn't an at the letter for several seconds.

“Your father, Thomas Bennett, was an accountant. But he wasn't an ordinary accountant. He handled the financial records for my husband's investment firm before it became the ordinary accountant. He handled the financial records for my husband's investment firm before it became the company everyone knows today.””

I frowned.

“My father worked in finance?””

“Yes. He was exceptionally company everyone knows today.””

I frowned.

“My father worked in finance?””

“Yes. He was exceptionally talented. He could look at a ledger and identify a discrepancy that other people had overlooked for months.””

I talented. He could look at a ledger and identify a discrepancy that other people had overlooked for months.””

I thought of the few memories I had of him: his warm hands lifting thought of the few memories I had of him: his warm hands lifting me onto his shoulders, the smell of coffee on his shirts, the way he used to draw little houses on restaurant me onto his shoulders, the smell of coffee on his shirts, the way he used to draw little houses on restaurant napkins while we waited for our food.

None of those memories had included spreadsheets or investment firms.

“Why didn't napkins while we waited for our food.

None of those memories had included spreadsheets or investment firms.

“Why didn't my mother tell me?””

“Because she was afraid.””

“Of whom?””

Eleanor drew a slow breath.

“Of Richard my mother tell me?””

“Because she was afraid.””

“Of whom?””

Eleanor drew a slow breath.

“Of Richard Hale. Marcus's father.””

She explained that, nearly three decades earlier, Richard had been preparing a Hale. Marcus's father.””

She explained that, nearly three decades earlier, Richard had been preparing a major acquisition through the family investment company. Millions of dollars were moving between several subsidiaries major acquisition through the family investment company. Millions of dollars were moving between several subsidiaries, and Thomas had discovered that some of the transfers were being recorded twice.

At first, he assumed the mistakes were administrative, and Thomas had discovered that some of the transfers were being recorded twice.

At first, he assumed the mistakes were administrative.

Then he found money disappearing into accounts that had no legitimate business purpose.

“He brought the records to Richard,” Eleanor said.

“He believed there had been fraud. He expected an explanation.””

“What did Richard say?””

“That Thomas was mistaken. He told him to correct the books and forget.

Then he found money disappearing into accounts that had no legitimate business purpose.

“He brought the records to Richard,” Eleanor said.

“He believed there had been fraud. He expected an explanation.””

“What did Richard say?””

“That Thomas was mistaken. He told him to correct the books and forget what he had seen.””

I gripped the edge of the blanket.

“And my father refused?””

“Yes. He made what he had seen.””

I gripped the edge of the blanket.

“And my father refused?””

“Yes. He made copies of the records and contacted an attorney. He intended to report the discrepancies to the authorities copies of the records and contacted an attorney. He intended to report the discrepancies to the authorities.””

I stared at her.

“And then he died.””

Eleanor nodded slowly.

“Two days before he.””

I stared at her.

“And then he died.””

Eleanor nodded slowly.

“Two days before he was scheduled to meet the attorney, his car went off the road.””

For a moment, the hospital seemed imposs was scheduled to meet the attorney, his car went off the road.””

For a moment, the hospital seemed impossibly quiet.

“Was it an accident?””

“Theibly quiet.

“Was it an accident?””

“The police ruled it an accident at the time. There wasn't enough evidence to establish otherwise.””

“But my father wrote that Richard ordered someone to follow him.””

“Your father suspected that Richard was being watched. He told my husband that someone had followed him home from work on several occasions police ruled it an accident at the time. There wasn't enough evidence to establish otherwise.””

“But my father wrote that Richard ordered someone to follow him.””

“Your father suspected that Richard was being watched. He told my husband that someone had followed him home from work on several occasions. He believed Richard wanted the missing records back.””

“Did he tell the police?””

“Not that I know of. He was. He believed Richard wanted the missing records back.””

“Did he tell the police?””

“Not that I know of. He was afraid that if he made an accusation without proof, Richard would destroy his reputation and ruin his family.””

I thought about my mother raising afraid that if he made an accusation without proof, Richard would destroy his reputation and ruin his family.””

I thought about my mother raising me alone, working double shifts at a pharmacy, refusing to discuss my father's last days me alone, working double shifts at a pharmacy, refusing to discuss my father's last days.

Had she known that the man who destroyed her life was still alive, attending.

Had she known that the man who destroyed her life was still alive, attending charity galas and appearing in business magazines?

“Why did charity galas and appearing in business magazines?

“Why did you keep this letter?””

Eleanor's eyes filled.

“Because your father gave it to my husband three days before he you keep this letter?””

Eleanor's eyes filled.

“Because your father gave it to my husband three days before he died. He asked him to keep it safe until someone could establish what had happened.””

“Your husband knew?””

“He died. He asked him to keep it safe until someone could establish what had happened.””

“Your husband knew?””

“He did.””

“And he did nothing?””

“My husband was a good man in many did.””

“And he did nothing?””

“My husband was a good man in many ways, Claire, but he was also afraid of Richard. He believed he could protect his family by keeping quiet ways, Claire, but he was also afraid of Richard. He believed he could protect his family by keeping quiet. He was wrong.””

Her honesty did nothing to ease the anger burning inside me.

“So. He was wrong.””

Her honesty did nothing to ease the anger burning inside me.

“So everyone protected the Hales, and my father was buried as a everyone protected the Hales, and my father was buried as a man who couldn't drive in the rain.””

“I'm sorry.””

I shook my head.

“Sorry man who couldn't drive in the rain.””

“I'm sorry.””

I shook my head.

“Sorry doesn't give me my father back.””

“No,” Eleanor whispered.

“It doesn't.””

My doesn't give me my father back.””

“No,” Eleanor whispered.

“It doesn't.””

My phone vibrated again.

Marcus.

I let the call ring until it stopped.

A message phone vibrated again.

Marcus.

I let the call ring until it stopped.

A message appeared seconds later.

**You have no idea what that letter means. Mother has appeared seconds later.

*You have no idea what that letter means. Mother has been lying to you for years. Call me before she tells you another story.*

I handed been lying to you for years. Call me before she tells you another story.**

I handed the phone to Eleanor.

“Did you know Marcus was aware of the letter?””

She read the the phone to Eleanor.

“Did you know Marcus was aware of the letter?””

She read the message, then looked genuinely shaken.

“No. I didn't.””

“Then message, then looked genuinely shaken.

“No. I didn't.””

“Then how does he know what's inside?””

She didn't answer.

I called Daniel Mercer and how does he know what's inside?””

She didn't answer.

I called Daniel Mercer and put him on speaker.

He picked up almost immediately.

“Claire? How put him on speaker.

He picked up almost immediately.

“Claire? How are you feeling?””

“I'm stable, according to the doctor. Daniel, I need you to are you feeling?””

“I'm stable, according to the doctor. Daniel, I need you to tell me whether Marcus has access to the original trust documents and my father's records tell me whether Marcus has access to the original trust documents and my father's records.””

There was a pause.

“He may have access to some of the trust's historical files through his position.””

There was a pause.

“He may have access to some of the trust's historical files through his position in the family company. He should not have unrestricted access to confidential legal correspondence.””

“Could he have seen in the family company. He should not have unrestricted access to confidential legal correspondence.””

“Could he have seen my father's letter?””

“I can't rule it out. Where did the letter come from?””

“Eleanor gave my father's letter?””

“I can't rule it out. Where did the letter come from?””

“Eleanor gave it to me.””

Daniel's tone changed.

“Then please don't let it leave your possession. I'll arrange for an independent document it to me.””

Daniel's tone changed.

“Then please don't let it leave your possession. I'll arrange for an independent document examiner to review it and establish its age and provenance.””

I looked at the examiner to review it and establish its age and provenance.””

I looked at the handwriting again.

“There's something else. Marcus says Eleanor is lying to handwriting again.

“There's something else. Marcus says Eleanor is lying to me.””

“Marcus has a significant financial interest in discrediting anything that could threaten the trust arrangements me.””

“Marcus has a significant financial interest in discrediting anything that could threaten the trust arrangements,” Daniel replied.

“That doesn't prove he's lying, but it means we need to verify every claim independently.””

,” Daniel replied.

“That doesn't prove he's lying, but it means we need to verify every claim independently.””

Eleanor stood and moved toward the window.

For the first time sinceEleanor stood and moved toward the window.

For the first time since I had known her, she looked old.

Not wealthy. Not powerful.

Just old.

“Daniel,” I had known her, she looked old.

Not wealthy. Not powerful.

Just old.

“Daniel,” she said, “I want the old acquisition she said, “I want the old acquisition files recovered. Every ledger, every memorandum, every correspondence involving Richard and Thomas Bennett.””

files recovered. Every ledger, every memorandum, every correspondence involving Richard and Thomas Bennett.””

“I'll begin immediately.””

“And don't notify Marcus.””

“I won't.””

After the call ended, I placed my“I'll begin immediately.””

“And don't notify Marcus.””

“I won't.””

After the call ended, I placed my father's letter in an envelope and slid it into the bedside drawer.

I wasn't ready to trust Eleanor father's letter in an envelope and slid it into the bedside drawer.

I wasn't ready to trust Eleanor.

But I wasn't ready to let Marcus control the story, either.

A doctor entered a few minutes later and.

But I wasn't ready to let Marcus control the story, either.

A doctor entered a few minutes later and explained that the monitoring had been reassuring so far. I would need continued explained that the monitoring had been reassuring so far. I would need continued observation, rest, and follow-up care, but there was no immediate indication that the baby was in distress observation, rest, and follow-up care, but there was no immediate indication that the baby was in distress.

Relief washed through me so suddenly that I began to cry again.

Eleanor turned away to.

Relief washed through me so suddenly that I began to cry again.

Eleanor turned away to give me privacy.

I noticed her wiping her eyes.

Then my phone rang.

This time, give me privacy.

I noticed her wiping her eyes.

Then my phone rang.

This time, it was my mother.

I answered immediately.

“Mom?””

“Claire?”” Her voice sounded thin and frightened.

“Honey, I it was my mother.

I answered immediately.

“Mom?””

“Claire?”” Her voice sounded thin and frightened.

“Honey, I just got a call from a man who said he was a lawyer for the Hale family. He asked whether just got a call from a man who said he was a lawyer for the Hale family. He asked whether I still had your father's old paperwork.””

My blood ran cold.

“What did you tell him?””

“ I still had your father's old paperwork.””

My blood ran cold.

“What did you tell him?””

“Nothing. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about. Claire, what's happening?””

I looked at Eleanor.

Nothing. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about. Claire, what's happening?””

I looked at Eleanor.

She had gone completely still.

“Mom, listen to me. Did anyone ever tell you that DadShe had gone completely still.

“Mom, listen to me. Did anyone ever tell you that Dad's accident might not have been an accident?””

The silence on the other end lasted so long that I thought the call had's accident might not have been an accident?””

The silence on the other end lasted so long that I thought the call had dropped.

Then my mother whispered, “Who told you that?””

“Mom?””

“Did dropped.

Then my mother whispered, “Who told you that?””

“Mom?””

“Did you find his letter?””

I gripped the phone.

“You knew?””

Her breath hitched.

“I you find his letter?””

I gripped the phone.

“You knew?””

Her breath hitched.

“I was told to keep quiet. They said if I went to the police, you was told to keep quiet. They said if I went to the police, you could lose everything. I was alone, Claire.

You were four could lose everything. I was alone, Claire. You were four years old. I didn't know who to trust.””

My eyes filled with tears.

“ years old. I didn't know who to trust.””

My eyes filled with tears.

“Who told you to keep quiet?””

My mother began to cry.

“Richard Hale.””

Eleanor covered her mouth.

ThenWho told you to keep quiet?””

My mother began to cry.

“Richard Hale.””

Eleanor covered her mouth.

Then my mother said something that made every hair on my arms stand up.

“He came to our house the my mother said something that made every hair on my arms stand up.

“He came to our house the night before your father died. And he wasn't alone.””

“Who was with him?””

“I never saw the night before your father died. And he wasn't alone.””

“Who was with him?””

“I never saw the man's face clearly. But I remember his voice.””

“Mom, who was it?””

She man's face clearly. But I remember his voice.””

“Mom, who was it?””

She drew a shaky breath.

“It was Daniel Mercer.””

I stared at Eleanor.

My drew a shaky breath.

“It was Daniel Mercer.””

I stared at Eleanor.

My mother continued, barely able to speak.

“Claire, the lawyer who came to our house mother continued, barely able to speak.

“Claire, the lawyer who came to our house with Richard Hale was the same man who has just called me today with Richard Hale was the same man who has just called me today. And if he's still working for that family, you need to get away from them before. And if he's still working for that family, you need to get away from them before—”

A crash sounded through the phone.

“Mom?””

No answer.

“Mom!””

—”

A crash sounded through the phone.

“Mom?””

No answer.