Chapter 11: The Brother Who Wanted to Be Her Father
Detective Mitchell arrived twenty minutes later.
She examined the photograph and immediately arranged additional security around Lily's hospital room.
Two officers remained outside her door.
Another checked the surrounding corridors.
"Michael, this is now a direct threat involving a child," she said.
"You are not going anywhere alone.""
I showed her the message demanding that I bring the birth certificate to the old Bennett estate.
She read it twice.
"That's James's property.""
I looked up.
"What?""
"The old Bennett estate was transferred into a holding company several years ago. James is listed as its primary manager.""
Daniel frowned.
"That property was supposed to remain part of the family portfolio.""
Detective Mitchell nodded.
"Which makes this interesting.""
She studied the photograph again.
"We may be able to identify where it was taken.""
I leaned forward.
"How?""
"Our digital team can examine the image. Don't respond to the sender.""
I looked toward Lily's room.
"He's threatening my daughter.""
"I understand.""
"No, Detective. You don't.""
My voice cracked.
"That man is my brother. I trusted him with everything. And now he's using my little girl to get what he wants.""
Detective Mitchell softened her expression.
"Then let's make sure he never gets near her again.""
An hour later, the police identified the location where the photograph had been taken.
It was the parking garage beneath the hospital.
Security footage showed a man wearing a baseball cap entering the building approximately forty minutes before the photograph was sent.
He had used a service entrance and left through the emergency exit.
The face was partially visible.
I recognized him immediately.
"That's Marcus.""
Daniel looked at me.
"Who?""
"James's personal driver.""
Detective Mitchell enlarged the image.
"Can you identify him formally?""
"Yes. He's worked for my brother for almost eight years.""
The detective contacted another officer.
"Find him.""
While the police searched for Marcus, Daniel received a call from the trustee managing the Bennett family estate.
He listened for several minutes before putting the call on speaker.
"Mr. Bennett," the trustee said, "we've reviewed the documents you provided.""
"Have you confirmed Lily's beneficiary status?"" Daniel asked.
"Yes. The original trust identifies Lily as an eligible descendant. However, we need to resolve the discrepancy in her parentage records before making any administrative changes.""
I leaned forward.
"What does that mean?""
"It means we require independent confirmation of the original birth record and the subsequent legal adoption documentation.""
I looked at Daniel.
"Can they remove me as her father?""
The trustee answered carefully.
"Not on the basis of a biological discrepancy alone. Your legal status must be examined separately.""
I felt a small measure of relief.
Then he continued.
"There is another matter. Someone submitted a preliminary request to change the estate's administrative arrangements three months ago.""
Daniel immediately opened his notebook.
"Who submitted it?""
"James Bennett.""
"What was he requesting?""
"Authority to manage the assets on behalf of the minor beneficiary.""
I closed my eyes.
Three months.
James had been planning this long before Vanessa and I were supposed to get married.
"Was the request approved?"" I asked.
"No. It was rejected because the supporting documents were incomplete.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Did the request include any medical or guardianship information?""
The trustee paused.
"Yes. It included a statement claiming that the child's legal guardian had become unreliable.""
I looked at Daniel.
It was the same lie.
The same fabricated accusations.
The same plan.
James had been building a legal trap around me for months.
After the call ended, Detective Mitchell returned.
"We've located Marcus.""
"Where?""
"At James's apartment.""
I stood.
"Have you arrested him?""
"He's being questioned.""
Then she placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Marcus leaving the hospital garage.
But he wasn't alone.
A second person was visible in the passenger seat.
I recognized the face.
Vanessa.
I stared at the photograph.
"I thought she was in custody.""
"She was released pending further investigation earlier today. Her attorney arranged the release.""
I felt anger rising again.
"She was at the hospital?""
"We believe she was.""
"Near my daughter?""
Detective Mitchell nodded.
"That's why we're increasing security.""
Daniel looked at the photograph.
"Where was the vehicle registered?""
"To a company owned by Northbridge Holdings.""
I stared at the name.
The same shell company from Emily's records.
Then my phone rang.
It was the hospital.
I answered immediately.
"Hello?""
A nurse spoke quickly.
"Mr. Bennett, this is Sarah from the pediatric ward. Your daughter is asking for you.""
"Is she okay?""
"She's safe. But she says she remembers something important about Vanessa.""
I looked at Detective Mitchell.
"I'm coming.""
When I entered Lily's room, she was sitting upright, holding her stuffed rabbit.
"Daddy!""
I hurried to her bedside.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?""
She looked at the detective behind me.
"Can I tell Daddy something privately?""
Detective Mitchell stepped outside.
I sat beside Lily.
"What is it?""
She reached beneath her pillow and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"I found this in Vanessa's purse before the wedding.""
I opened it.
It was a printed photograph of James holding a newborn baby.
On the back, someone had written:
Our daughter. Our second chance.
My fingers began trembling.
Lily looked at me.
"Does that mean Uncle James is my real daddy?""
I couldn't answer immediately.
Then she whispered something else.
"Vanessa told me that if I called him Daddy, he would buy me a pony.""
I looked at the photograph again.
And suddenly I understood.
James hadn't just been using Lily's inheritance as a business opportunity.
He had been preparing to enter her life as her father.
He wanted me removed.
He wanted Vanessa to become her mother.
And he wanted my little girl to believe that losing me was something she should be happy about.
I folded the photograph carefully.
"Sweetheart, nobody gets to buy your love.""
Lily nodded.
Then she grabbed my hand.
"Daddy, there's something else.""
"What?""
"Uncle James told Vanessa that after the wedding, you wouldn't be our daddy anymore.""
I looked at her.
"Did he say anything else?""
May you like
She nodded slowly.
"He said the wedding was just the beginning.""
