Chapter 13: The Woman in the Photograph
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Thomas Carter was alive.
My father was alive.
And somewhere, according to Thomas, they were standing beside my real mother.
I pressed the phone harder against my ear.
“Where are they?””
Thomas exhaled.
“At the safe house.””
“Give me the address.””
“I will, but you need to understand something first.””
“What?””
“Your father didn't abandon you.””
My eyes filled with tears.
“I never said he did.””
“You wondered why he disappeared after your mother's death.””
I froze.
“How do you know that?””
“Because I was there.””
Nathan stepped closer.
“Rachel, put him on speaker.””
I did.
Thomas's voice filled the room.
“Your mother discovered Diane was stealing from your father's company. She confronted her.””
“Then what happened?””
“Diane threatened her.””
“With what?””
“Your mother had a daughter.””
I felt cold.
“Me?””
“Yes.””
Thomas paused.
“Your mother was afraid Diane would use you to control your father.””
I looked at the photograph again.
Diane stood beside my mother, smiling as if they were friends.
“Who is my real mother?””
Thomas answered.
“Her name is Laura Bennett.””
Clara gasped.
I turned toward her.
“You know her?””
Clara's eyes filled with tears.
“Laura was my sister.””
The room went silent.
I stared at Clara.
“You're my aunt?””
She nodded.
“I've known who you were since the day I saw you at the hospital.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because your father begged me not to.””
“Why?””
“Because Diane was watching everyone around you.””
I shook my head.
“So my entire life was a lie.””
“No,” Clara said softly.
“Your father spent eleven years building a life where you could survive the truth.””
Nathan looked at her.
“And my father?””
“Thomas helped him disappear after Diane arranged the attack.””
I stared at the floor.
“Why did my father let me believe he was dead?””
“He didn't.””
“What?””
“Diane told you he was dead.””
I remembered the funeral.
The closed casket.
The flowers.
Diane holding my shoulders while I cried.
She had told me my father had died peacefully.
She had told me grief would destroy me if I kept asking questions.
And I had believed her.
My entire childhood had been built around a lie she created.
Thomas continued.
“Your father survived the attack, but he was badly injured. He realized Diane had people inside the police department and the hospital. If he appeared alive, she'd come after you.””
“Where was he?””
“Hidden.””
“For eleven years?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn't he contact me?””
“Because every time he tried, someone found out.””
I looked at Nathan.
“Except you.””
Nathan lowered his eyes.
Thomas's voice softened.
“Rachel, I need you to know something about Nathan.””
I stiffened.
“He was supposed to protect you.””
Nathan closed his eyes.
“But he failed.””
“He was supposed to marry me?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Your father believed Diane would eventually target you directly. He wanted someone close enough to protect you.””
I stared at Nathan.
“Was that why you approached me?””
Nathan's voice broke.
“At first.””
My chest tightened.
“At first?””
“I met you because my father asked me to.””
“And then?””
“I fell in love with you.””
I laughed through tears.
“You had a strange way of showing it.””
“I know.””
“You let your mother abuse me.””
“I was afraid.””
“You helped her steal from me.””
“I thought I could stop it before you got hurt.””
“You became part of it.””
He nodded.
“I did.””
Thomas interrupted.
“Rachel, there's one more thing.””
“What?””
“The marriage certificate you found is not the only original document.””
I frowned.
“What else is there?””
“A second certificate.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
“The one Diane created wasn't meant to replace your real marriage.””
“Then what was it for?””
“To make you believe you were legally divorced.””
Thomas paused.
“Your actual marriage was never dissolved.””
I closed my eyes.
The truth finally settled into place.
I had never been Nathan's ex-wife.
I had always been his legal wife.
Emily's marriage to him had never been valid.
And Diane had spent years pretending otherwise.
Thomas gave me the address.
“Come alone.””
Nathan immediately shook his head.
“No.””
I looked at him.
Thomas continued.
“Don't bring Nathan.””
Nathan stared at the phone.
“Dad, please.””
Thomas answered quietly:
“You have a choice, son.””
“What choice?””
“Prove that you love her.””
The call ended.
I looked at Nathan.
For the first time, he didn't ask me to trust him.
He simply handed me his car keys.
“Go.””
I took them.
Then he said:
“I'll spend the rest of my life wishing I'd been brave sooner.””
I walked toward the door.
Behind me, Nathan called my name.
“Rachel.””
I stopped.
“I never stopped being your husband.””
I turned.
May you like
“Then you should have acted like one.””
And I left him standing there.
