Chapter 8: The Man Who Controlled My Family
Thomas entered the hospital room without knocking.
He wore a charcoal overcoat, a silk tie, and the familiar gold watch my grandfather had given him on his fortieth birthday.
Two men in dark suits followed him.
He looked at Vanessa first.
"Get dressed. We're leaving.""
Vanessa pressed herself against the headboard.
"No.""
Thomas sighed.
"Don't make this difficult.""
I stepped between them.
"She's not going anywhere.""
His eyes shifted toward me.
"Claire. You've been busy.""
"Busy discovering what you and Everett have been hiding.""
Thomas removed his gloves.
"You're listening to the wrong people.""
"I heard the recording.""
His expression changed.
Only for a second.
Then he smiled.
"People can edit recordings. You should know better.""
Nathan stepped forward.
"The original file has already been preserved. We have the device metadata and an independent forensic copy.""
Thomas looked irritated.
"You always were an ambitious little lawyer.""
"Mr. Bennett, you should leave.""
Thomas ignored him.
He turned toward Vanessa.
"Your mother would be ashamed of you.""
Vanessa flinched.
"Don't talk about my mother.""
"She spent her entire life trying to keep you away from this family. You have no idea what she sacrificed.""
"She sacrificed everything because you threatened her!""
Thomas slapped the bedside table.
The plastic cup fell to the floor.
"Watch your mouth!""
A nurse appeared at the doorway.
"Sir, you need to lower your voice.""
Thomas straightened his coat.
"Of course. I apologize.""
Then he turned back to me.
"Claire, let's talk privately.""
I crossed my arms.
"Everything you have to say can be said here.""
He glanced at Nathan.
"This concerns family matters.""
"That's exactly why he's staying.""
Thomas gave a tired smile.
"You've become stubborn.""
"I learned from the best.""
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he pulled a document from his briefcase.
"I brought something you should see.""
He placed it on the bed.
It was a copy of the original estate distribution agreement.
My grandfather's signature appeared on the final page.
Thomas pointed to a paragraph.
"Your grandfather made provisions for all his children. Not just you.""
"I know about Vanessa.""
"Do you?""
He leaned closer.
"Then you should know that Vanessa's mother wasn't the only woman Richard had a relationship with.""
I stared at him.
"The recording mentioned another child.""
Thomas nodded.
"Your grandfather had another daughter. A woman who was born before your mother.""
Nathan immediately examined the document.
"Do you have proof?""
Thomas smiled.
"Of course.""
He removed a photograph.
It showed my grandfather standing beside a young woman outside a courthouse.
She looked to be in her thirties.
The resemblance was undeniable.
She had the same deep-set eyes as my grandfather.
"Who is she?"" I asked.
Thomas slipped the photograph back into his briefcase.
"Her name is Rebecca.""
"Where is she?""
"Dead.""
The word landed heavily.
"When?""
"Twenty years ago.""
"How?""
Thomas shrugged.
"An accident.""
I looked at Nathan.
He was no longer studying the document.
He was studying Thomas.
"Why are you telling me this?""
Thomas leaned back.
"Because your grandfather's estate was divided among several beneficiaries. You were never the sole heir, Claire. You were simply the most convenient person to place in charge.""
"Then why did you try to take control of the trust?""
"Because I knew what Richard had done. He placed the entire family in danger by hiding the truth.""
I felt anger rising.
"You transferred millions of dollars through Vanessa's company.""
"I moved funds to protect them.""
"From whom?""
"From people who wanted to destroy us.""
Nathan stepped forward.
"Mr. Bennett, the transfers were unauthorized.""
Thomas looked at him.
"You don't understand the structure.""
"Then explain it.""
Thomas laughed.
"Not to you.""
He turned back to me.
"Claire, I can still fix this. Sign the settlement agreement, withdraw the emergency resolution, and I'll make sure you receive a generous payment.""
I stared at him.
"How generous?""
"Twenty million dollars.""
Vanessa gasped.
Nathan looked disgusted.
I almost smiled.
My grandfather had entrusted me with control of a company worth billions.
And Thomas thought he could buy my silence for twenty million.
"That's your offer?""
"Take it or leave it.""
I stepped toward him.
"You know what I want?""
He waited.
"I want the truth about Rebecca. I want the original will. And I want every dollar you transferred returned to the trust.""
Thomas's expression hardened.
"You're making a serious mistake.""
"Then perhaps you should have thought about that before threatening my family.""
He turned toward the door.
At the threshold, he stopped.
"One last thing, Claire.""
I didn't answer.
"Everett wasn't the only person who knew about your grandfather's secret. Your grandmother knew everything.""
"I've read her letter.""
Thomas laughed softly.
"Then you haven't read the right one.""
He reached into his coat and removed a small photograph.
He placed it on the bedside table.
It showed my grandmother standing beside the same woman from the courthouse photograph.
Rebecca.
On the back were three handwritten words.
*Your mother. Rebecca.*
I stared.
"What does this mean?""
Thomas looked at me.
"Ask your mother who gave birth to you.""
Then he walked out.
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
My mother had always told me she was Richard and Margaret's only daughter.
But if Thomas was telling the truth, Rebecca might have been her sister.
And if Rebecca was my mother, then who had raised me?
My phone rang.
My mother's name appeared on the screen.
I answered immediately.
"Mom?""
Her voice was trembling.
"Claire, where are you?""
"At the hospital. Why?""
"Listen to me carefully. Do not let Thomas show you anything else.""
I looked at Nathan.
"Mom, who is Rebecca?""
Silence.
May you like
Then my mother whispered:
"She's the woman who gave birth to you.""
