Chapter 8: My Mother's Last Lie
Eleanor walked toward me as if nothing had happened.
She wore a cream-colored coat, diamond earrings, and the familiar expression she used whenever she wanted people to believe she was the most reasonable person in the room.
"Daniel.""
I didn't move.
"Why are you here?""
She glanced at the security officers.
"Is this how you greet your mother?""
"Answer the question.""
She placed the pink suitcase on the floor.
"I brought something for Lily.""
I stared at it.
"Where did you get that?""
"It was in my house.""
"That's impossible. Clara kept that suitcase in our old home.""
My mother gave a small smile.
"Your wife left many things behind.""
I stepped closer.
"Did you know Clara was alive?""
Eleanor's smile disappeared.
"Not this again.""
"I saw the video.""
"Then you've seen a manipulated recording.""
"Your voice was on it.""
She looked toward Marcus.
"Could you give us a moment?""
"No," I answered.
Eleanor sighed.
"Daniel, I am your mother.""
"And Clara was my wife.""
Her eyes hardened.
"Your wife was destroying everything.""
The words landed between us.
I stared at her.
"What did she do?""
"She discovered financial transactions that should never have been exposed.""
"Whose transactions?""
"Michael was trying to save this family.""
"By stealing money from his own niece?""
Eleanor's expression changed.
"That money was never meant for Lily.""
I took out my phone and showed her the bank statement.
"Then explain why Clara placed Lily's name on the trust.""
My mother glanced at the screen.
For the first time, she looked frightened.
"Where did you get that?""
"Does it matter?""
"That account should have been closed.""
"Why?""
She stepped toward me.
"Because your wife made a terrible mistake.""
I lowered my phone.
"What mistake?""
Eleanor looked around.
Then she spoke so quietly that only I could hear.
"She believed you were innocent.""
I froze.
"What does that mean?""
"Your wife found documents carrying your signature. She believed you were involved in the transfers.""
"I never signed them.""
"That's what she eventually discovered.""
My stomach tightened.
"Eventually?""
Eleanor looked away.
"By then, it was too late.""
"Too late for what?""
She didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"Mother, tell me what happened that night.""
She shook her head.
"You don't understand the consequences.""
"Then help me understand.""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Clara was supposed to leave Charleston. We arranged everything. She would disappear, the hospital would issue the certificate, and Michael would take control of the company until the investigation ended.""
I stared at her.
"You arranged a fake death.""
"We had no choice.""
"Who was in the coffin?""
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"I don't know.""
I felt physically sick.
"You don't know?""
"Michael handled that part.""
I stepped backward.
For two years, I had stood beside a grave containing someone else's remains.
I had spoken to that grave.
I had brought flowers.
I had told Lily that her mother was sleeping somewhere beautiful.
And my mother knew.
"Why didn't Clara come back?""
Eleanor's face crumpled.
"Because someone tried to kill her after the transfer.""
"Who?""
She looked at me.
"Michael.""
The hallway seemed to grow colder.
Before I could ask another question, Marcus approached.
"Mr. Bennett, we need to speak privately.""
"What is it?""
He showed me a security alert.
The underground parking system had detected a vehicle entering with a cloned executive access card.
The vehicle belonged to Michael.
I looked at my mother.
"Did you know he was coming?""
She shook her head.
Then she looked at the pink suitcase.
"Daniel, you need to take Lily and leave.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"Because Michael doesn't know I came here.""
"What's inside the suitcase?""
She swallowed.
"Something Clara asked me to keep safe.""
I opened it.
Inside was a small collection of children's clothes, a stuffed rabbit, and a sealed envelope.
The envelope was addressed to Lily.
I carefully opened it.
A photograph fell into my hand.
It showed Clara standing beside a hospital bed.
Beside her was a newborn baby.
I stared at the image.
"Lily?""
My mother nodded.
"Taken three days after she was born.""
I turned the photograph over.
There was a handwritten message.
For Daniel. I need you to know that Lily is not the only child whose future Michael tried to control.
I looked at Eleanor.
"What does this mean?""
She began crying.
"Clara had another baby.""
The words seemed to stop time.
"What?""
"A boy.""
I gripped the photograph.
"Where is he?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"I don't know.""
"Mother!""
"Michael arranged for him to be placed with another family.""
My chest tightened.
"Why would he do that?""
"Because Clara discovered something about the hospital records.""
I stared at the photograph again.
The baby had a tiny birthmark near his left temple.
The same mark I'd seen on myself in childhood photographs.
I whispered, "That's my son.""
Eleanor nodded.
"Yes.""
Suddenly, the elevator doors opened.
Michael stepped out.
He looked at Eleanor.
Then at the suitcase.
His expression became terrifyingly calm.
"Mother," he said, "I told you to stay away from Daniel.""
Eleanor backed away.
Michael looked at me.
"Give me the photograph.""
I held it against my chest.
"No.""
He sighed.
"Daniel, don't make this difficult.""
"You stole my wife's child?""
Michael's jaw tightened.
"He wasn't safe with her.""
"He's my son!""
Michael stepped closer.
"Not anymore.""
Marcus moved between us.
"Sir, stay back.""
Michael smiled.
Then he reached into his jacket and removed a folded document.
"Before you start making accusations, perhaps you should read this.""
He handed it to me.
It was a hospital adoption record.
The child's name had been changed.
But the date of birth matched exactly.
And beneath the adoption authorization was a signature.
My own.
I stared at it.
Michael leaned toward me.
"Congratulations, Daniel.""
May you like
His smile widened.
"You signed away your son.""
