Chapter 5: The Brother Who Never Existed
Tyler stared at the photograph.
The baby was wrapped in a blue hospital blanket. A tiny hospital bracelet circled his wrist.
On the back, someone had written a name.
JACK CARTER.
Tyler's fingers trembled.
“Who is this?””
Daniel pulled a chair toward him.
“Your half-brother.””
“My father never had another child.””
“Your father had several secrets.””
Tyler looked up sharply.
“Stop speaking in riddles. Tell me what happened.””
Daniel glanced at Michael before answering.
“Twenty-nine years ago, Robert had an affair with a woman named Susan Miller. She became pregnant. When she gave birth, Robert arranged for the child to be raised by another family.””
Tyler shook his head.
“Why?””
“Because Robert was already married to Linda, and he didn't want a scandal that could destroy his business.””
I watched Tyler slowly sit down.
“Does my mother know?””
Daniel didn't answer.
Tyler laughed bitterly.
“Of course she knows. She's been signing documents behind our backs.””
Michael leaned against the wall.
“Daniel, how does this connect to the twins?””
Daniel opened his notebook.
“Jack Carter died eleven years ago. But before his death, he had a daughter.””
Tyler looked confused.
“His daughter?””
“Yes. A little girl named Olivia.””
I glanced at Piper and Poppy.
“So Robert has another granddaughter?””
Daniel nodded.
“And according to the original trust documents, every biological grandchild was entitled to a share.””
Tyler looked at the photograph again.
“Then why are my daughters involved?””
Daniel placed a second document on the table.
“Because Olivia disappeared shortly after her father's death. Robert claims she died. However, the trust administrator never received a death certificate.””
Michael frowned.
“So the money was never distributed.””
“Exactly.””
Tyler rubbed his temples.
“And my father wants Piper and Poppy?””
“Robert believes he can use your daughters' birth records to challenge the trust's ownership and gain control over the estate.””
I looked at Daniel.
“How much money are we talking about?””
He hesitated.
“Approximately eighteen million dollars.””
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Eighteen million.
My husband had been working aboard a cruise ship, sending me occasional heart emojis while someone was apparently using our newborn daughters in a financial scheme worth millions.
Tyler stood abruptly.
“I want to see my mother.””
Michael shook his head.
“That's not a good idea.””
“She signed those documents. She knows where my father is. I'm done letting everyone tell me what I can and can't do.””
I stepped toward him.
“Tyler, you need to understand something. Your mother put our daughters' names on a guardianship application.””
His expression softened.
“Emily, I know.””
“No, you don't. I trusted her with our children. I let her into our home. I let her hold them while I showered because I thought she loved them.””
My voice broke.
“And now I don't even know whether she was protecting them or preparing to hand them over.””
Tyler lowered his head.
“I'll find out.””
I stared at him.
“You've been gone five months. You missed their birth. You cheated on me. And now you're telling me you'll find out?””
He had no answer.
Piper began crying.
I turned away and walked toward a quiet seating area.
A few minutes later, Michael approached with two bottles of water.
“Here.””
“Thank you.””
He looked at the twins.
“Beautiful girls.””
“They are.””
He hesitated.
“Emily, I owe you an apology.””
I looked at him.
“For what?””
“For not warning you sooner. I knew Vanessa was involved with Tyler, but I didn't know about the children until recently.””
I studied his face.
“Did you love her?””
Michael looked toward the terminal windows.
“I thought I did.””
Then he gave a tired smile.
“But I loved the woman I believed she was. I don't know this woman.””
I understood that feeling more than I wanted to.
Before I could respond, Daniel approached.
“We need to talk.””
He handed Michael a phone.
“Someone accessed the security footage from the Carter residence.””
Michael looked at the screen.
“What am I looking at?””
“Yesterday, 8:43 p.m. Your front door.””
He pressed play.
The video showed Linda entering my house.
She carried a large handbag.
She walked straight toward the nursery.
Then she opened the bottom drawer of the changing table.
I leaned closer.
“What is she looking for?””
Daniel paused the footage.
“Watch.””
Linda removed two small envelopes.
She placed them inside her handbag.
Then she turned toward the camera.
For a brief moment, she stared directly into it.
And smiled.
My stomach twisted.
“That isn't possible.””
Michael looked at me.
“What?””
“Linda doesn't know we have cameras.””
Daniel shook his head.
“She knew.””
He continued playing the footage.
Linda walked out of the nursery.
But before leaving, she stopped beside the crib.
She leaned down and kissed Piper's forehead.
Then she whispered something.
The camera had no audio.
Yet I knew what she was saying.
Goodbye.
My phone rang.
This time, it was a number I didn't recognize.
I answered cautiously.
“Hello?””
A young woman's voice came through.
“Is this Emily Carter?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Olivia.””
I froze.
“Olivia who?””
“Olivia Carter. I think I'm your husband's niece.””
I looked at Daniel.
He immediately moved closer.
Olivia continued.
“I'm calling because my grandmother told me you have two newborn daughters.””
“Who is your grandmother?””
There was a pause.
Then she whispered:
“Linda Carter.””
My heart began racing.
“Why are you calling me?””
“Because she just came to my apartment.””
“And?””
“She gave me two birth certificates. She told me to take the babies before Robert found out.””
I nearly dropped the phone.
“What birth certificates?””
Olivia's voice trembled.
“Emily, one has Piper's name on it.””
I looked at my daughters.
“And the other?””
Silence.
May you like
Then Olivia whispered:
“The other says Poppy Carter is not your husband's biological daughter.””
