Chapter 5: My Father's Confession
"Who sent that message?""
Richard's voice was unusually quiet.
I turned the phone toward him.
He read the words twice.
Then he sat down.
"Adrian, there are things about your mother's death that I should have told you years ago.""
Emma crossed her arms.
"Then tell us now.""
My father looked at her.
"I don't know where to begin.""
"Try the truth," I replied.
He stared at the photograph.
For several seconds, the only sound in the dining room was the grandfather clock ticking near the fireplace.
Finally, Richard spoke.
"Your mother and I weren't happy during the last two years of our marriage.""
I frowned.
"I never knew that.""
"She discovered that I had been transferring money through offshore companies. At first, she thought I was stealing from the business. But the truth was worse.""
"What were you doing?""
"I was paying people to investigate certain employees. I suspected Victor was stealing from the company.""
I stared at him.
"So you knew?""
"I suspected. I didn't have proof.""
Emma interrupted.
"Then why did you allow him to control the company after Adrian's accident?""
Richard looked down.
"Because Victor threatened me.""
"With what?""
"My wife's death.""
The words struck the room like a gunshot.
My father rubbed his hands together.
"Three months before the accident, your mother called me. She said someone had been following her. She had found documents linking Victor to a network of fraudulent companies.""
"Did she tell you about the babies?"" Emma asked.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because she wanted me to protect both of you.""
Emma laughed bitterly.
"And what did you do?""
Richard's eyes filled with tears.
"I failed her.""
I moved closer.
"Tell me about the night she died.""
My father took a shaky breath.
"She was driving home from a meeting. Her car went off the road. The police said the steering system had failed.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Another car accident.""
"Yes.""
"Just like mine.""
Richard nodded.
"Afterward, Victor told me not to investigate. He said the company would collapse if the authorities discovered what was happening.""
"And you believed him?""
"I was terrified. I had already lost your mother. I didn't want to lose you.""
I stepped back.
"You didn't lose me. You abandoned me.""
He looked up.
"Adrian—"
"You let Victor take control of my company. You allowed him to visit me every day. You let him decide who could see me, which doctors I could meet, and what documents I signed.""
"I thought he was helping you.""
"You thought?""
My voice cracked.
"Do you understand what it felt like waking up every morning unable to move my legs? Watching everyone discuss my future as if I were already dead?""
Richard covered his face.
"I am sorry.""
Emma stood beside me.
"An apology doesn't explain why my entire life was built on a lie.""
My father looked at her.
"Your mother loved you. She asked me to make sure you were safe.""
"Then why did she give me away?""
"Because she believed you would be safer away from the Blackwoods.""
Emma's eyes filled again.
"And was I?""
Richard didn't answer.
A knock interrupted us.
Our housekeeper, Mrs. Collins, entered carrying a silver tray.
"Mr. Blackwood, there's someone at the front entrance asking for you.""
"Who?""
"Mrs. Eleanor Hayes.""
My father went completely still.
Emma turned around.
"Who is Eleanor Hayes?""
Richard slowly stood.
"Your mother's closest friend.""
Mrs. Collins nodded.
"She says she has something that belonged to your mother.""
I looked at Emma.
"Bring her in.""
A minute later, an elderly woman entered the dining room.
She wore a beige coat and carried a small leather handbag. Her gray hair was neatly arranged, and her eyes immediately filled with tears when she saw Emma.
"Oh, sweetheart.""
Emma stepped backward.
"Do I know you?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"Not personally. But I've known about you since the day you were born.""
She approached Emma and held out a small silver locket.
"Your mother asked me to give you this when you were old enough to understand.""
Emma accepted it.
Her fingers trembled as she opened the clasp.
Inside were two tiny photographs.
One showed baby Adrian.
The other showed baby Emma.
Between them was a handwritten note.
My beautiful children. If you are reading this together, it means someone finally failed to keep you apart.
Emma began crying.
I put an arm around her.
Eleanor looked at my father.
"Richard, we need to talk.""
He nodded.
She continued.
"Your wife didn't die because of a faulty steering system.""
My father gripped the back of a chair.
"What?""
Eleanor reached into her handbag and removed an old USB drive.
"She discovered that Victor was planning to transfer the company into his own name. She also discovered that someone inside your family was helping him.""
I looked at my father.
"Who?""
Eleanor turned toward me.
"Your father's younger brother.""
I froze.
My uncle, Thomas Blackwood, had died five years earlier.
At least, that was what I had been told.
Eleanor placed the USB drive on the table.
"Your uncle didn't die, Adrian.""
My father stumbled backward.
"That's impossible.""
Eleanor shook her head.
"I saw him six months ago.""
She looked directly at me.
"And he was the person who paid the mechanic to destroy your brakes.""
Before I could ask another question, my phone rang.
The caller ID displayed a number I hadn't seen in five years.
Uncle Thomas.
I answered.
A man's voice came through.
"Hello, nephew.""
I couldn't speak.
He chuckled.
"I hear you're walking again.""
May you like
Then he added something that made my blood run cold.
"Tell Emma I said hello. I've been waiting a very long time to meet my daughter.""
