Chapter 13: The Mother Behind the Photograph
For several seconds, I couldn't understand what Daniel had just said.
The woman who raised me.
The woman whose voice I remembered singing me to sleep.
The woman whose photograph I had carried through foster homes and lonely apartments.
Wasn't my biological mother?
I stared at the death certificate.
Grace Carter.
Date of death: November 14, 1991.
The night I was born.
"You're lying," I whispered.
Daniel shook his head.
"I wish I were.""
I turned toward Eleanor.
"Tell me he's lying.""
Eleanor's lips trembled.
She couldn't look at me.
"Rose, sweetheart...""
"Don't call me that. Just answer me!""
She closed her eyes.
"Grace was your biological aunt.""
The words hit harder than anything Richard had said.
I stepped backward.
"My aunt?""
Eleanor nodded.
"Your biological mother was my younger sister, Elizabeth.""
Nathaniel looked stunned.
"Mother, you had a sister?""
"Yes. Elizabeth Callaway. She was Richard's first love before he became involved with me.""
Richard suddenly laughed.
"Now we're getting somewhere.""
Eleanor turned toward him.
"Be quiet.""
He ignored her.
"Elizabeth was supposed to inherit everything. But she fell in love with James Mercer, and my father threatened to disown her.""
Thomas looked confused.
"James was Elizabeth's husband?""
Eleanor nodded.
"Yes. They married secretly. When Elizabeth became pregnant with triplets, Richard discovered the marriage.""
I stared at the death certificate.
"Then why did Grace raise me?""
Eleanor's eyes filled.
"Because Elizabeth died during childbirth. James was arrested shortly afterward. Richard convinced everyone that the babies had died too.""
I shook my head.
"But Grace told me she was my mother.""
"She made a promise to Elizabeth before she died.""
Eleanor explained that Grace had been Elizabeth's closest friend and younger sister by marriage. She had begged Richard to let her raise the children.
Instead, Richard separated the babies.
He gave Nathaniel to Eleanor, arranged Daniel's adoption, and forced Grace to disappear with me.
"Why would he do that?"" I asked.
Richard answered before Eleanor could.
"Because Elizabeth's children were entitled to the Mercer inheritance.""
Daniel opened the briefcase.
"Not just the Mercer inheritance. The Callaway fortune too.""
He removed another document.
It was an original trust agreement signed by James Mercer and Elizabeth Callaway.
The document stated that their three children would inherit equal shares of the combined family estate.
Richard's expression darkened.
"That document is invalid.""
Daniel smiled.
"That's what you told the court thirty years ago.""
"Because it was forged!""
Margaret Bell stepped forward.
"No, Richard. I witnessed the signing.""
Richard turned sharply.
"You're supposed to be dead.""
Margaret looked him in the eyes.
"You tried to make that happen twice.""
Nathaniel approached her.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?""
Margaret lowered her head.
"Because I was afraid. Richard controlled the hospital, the records, and the people who were supposed to protect us.""
She pointed toward the death certificate.
"Elizabeth didn't die from complications during childbirth. Someone administered the wrong medication after Richard ordered the medical staff to delay treatment.""
I felt sick.
"Are you saying he killed her?""
Margaret nodded.
"I couldn't prove it then. But I kept the original medical report.""
Richard took a step backward.
"This is nonsense.""
Margaret opened another folder.
"The report identifies the medication and the person who authorized its administration.""
Nathaniel took the paper.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then he looked at his father.
"Your signature.""
Richard's face became rigid.
"You don't understand.""
Nathaniel shook his head.
"No. I understand perfectly.""
Richard turned toward his security team.
"Get these people out of here.""
Nobody moved.
Marcus stepped forward.
"Sir, we've already contacted the police.""
Richard looked furious.
"You're employed by me!""
Marcus shook his head.
"Not anymore.""
Richard suddenly pulled a small pistol from beneath his coat.
Everyone froze.
"Put the documents down!""
He pointed the weapon toward Daniel.
"Give me the trust agreement.""
Daniel slowly raised his hands.
"Richard, it's over.""
"IT'S NEVER OVER!""
Richard turned toward me.
"Rose, you're going to sign the inheritance documents.""
I looked at him.
"No.""
His hand tightened around the weapon.
"Your mother died because she refused to cooperate. Don't make the same mistake.""
Then Nathaniel stepped in front of me.
"Put the gun down.""
Richard stared at him.
"Move.""
"No.""
For the first time, Nathaniel sounded completely fearless.
"You spent my entire life teaching me that the Callaway name was more important than family.""
He stepped closer.
"But I finally understand what family means.""
Richard raised the gun.
And before anyone could move, a shot rang through the cemetery.
Nathaniel collapsed.
I screamed his name.
Daniel lunged toward Richard.
Marcus and two security officers tackled the old man to the ground.
The gun slid across the grass.
I dropped beside Nathaniel.
Blood was spreading across his white shirt.
"Stay with me!""
He struggled to breathe.
"Rose...""
"Don't talk!""
He managed a weak smile.
"Looks like... I finally found my sister.""
Then his eyes closed.
And as the sirens approached, I heard Richard laughing from beneath the security guards.
"You still don't know the truth about Elizabeth!""
He looked directly at me.
"Ask Eleanor why she was in the delivery room when your mother died.""
Eleanor began screaming.
"Don't listen to him!""
May you like
But Richard continued.
"She was the one who chose which baby would live!""
