Chapter 12: The Woman Who Wanted My Daughter
I couldn’t move.
The words didn’t make sense.
A sister.
A biological sister.
A person I never knew existed.
A person who wanted my daughter.
I looked at my mother.
“Tell me this isn’t true.””
She cried silently.
That was my answer.
“How long?””
She whispered:
“Your whole life.””
The pain was almost physical.
“You had another child?””
She shook her head.
“No.””
“Then what?””
She looked at Michael.
He stepped forward.
“Richard, you need to understand.””
“No.””
My voice was sharp.
“I need the truth.””
Michael nodded.
“Your parents had a daughter before you.””
I stared.
“My parents?””
“Yes.””
“What happened to her?””
My mother closed her eyes.
“She was taken away.””
“Taken?””
“She was born with a serious illness. Your father’s family believed she would never survive.””
I felt sick.
“So they abandoned her?””
“No.””
My mother’s voice broke.
“They gave her to another family temporarily.””
“And?””
She looked down.
“They never came back for her.””
The room went silent.
I couldn’t understand.
My parents had a daughter.
A child.
And they erased her.
“What does she have to do with Sarah?””
Michael answered.
“She found out about the Hart inheritance.””
I looked at him.
“How?””
“She spent years searching for information about her birth family.””
My mother whispered:
“When she discovered Lily was connected to the trust, she believed it belonged to her.””
I shook my head.
“But it belongs to Lily.””
“Yes.””
Michael looked at me.
“That’s why she wants her.””
My stomach turned.
“Not the money.””
“No.””
Michael’s voice was quiet.
“She believes Lily is the only thing standing between her and what she thinks she deserves.””
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone froze.
I answered.
A woman’s voice spoke.
“Richard.””
I didn’t recognize it.
But somehow, I knew.
“Who are you?””
A pause.
Then:
“The person your family erased.””
My blood ran cold.
“You’re my sister.””
A soft laugh.
“So they finally told you.””
I looked at my mother.
She was crying.
The woman continued.
“I spent thirty years wondering why my family abandoned me.””
I said nothing.
“Then I found Sarah.””
My grip tightened.
“You knew Sarah?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“Because Sarah was the only person who believed I deserved the truth.””
I felt confused.
“If Sarah helped you, why would you hurt her?””
The woman went quiet.
Then:
“Because Sarah chose you.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
“She had a choice.””
Her voice became colder.
“She could have given me what belonged to my family.””
I frowned.
“What are you talking about?””
“The trust.””
I closed my eyes.
“She refused.””
“And that was her mistake.””
My anger exploded.
“Did you kill my wife?””
Silence.
A long silence.
Then she answered:
“I didn’t kill Sarah.””
I wanted to believe her.
But then she added:
“I only made sure she couldn’t stop me.””
My blood froze.
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Michael looked at me.
“What did she say?””
I couldn’t answer.
Because my phone received a message.
A photo.
I opened it.
My heart stopped.
It was Lily.
Sitting in a car.
Holding her rabbit.
A woman’s hand was on her shoulder.
Below the picture was one sentence:
*Now you understand why Sarah was afraid.*
May you like
I dropped the phone.
My daughter was gone.
