Chapter 13: The Mother Who Had Been Dead for Four Years
"Your mother.""
My father's words seemed to drain the air from the room.
I stared at him.
"Mom is alive. She's standing in New York right now.""
He shook his head.
"Not Margaret. I'm talking about Richard's first wife.""
Grayson went completely still.
"My mother?""
My father nodded.
"Richard told everyone she died shortly after giving birth to Vanessa. But she never died.""
Daniel looked at his brother.
"Wait. We were told Mom died when I was three.""
"She was moved to a private facility," my father explained.
"Richard wanted custody of you boys, and he didn't want her interfering with his business arrangements.""
Grayson looked physically ill.
"You're telling me my mother has been alive this entire time?""
"Yes.""
Daniel grabbed the back of a chair.
"Where is she?""
My father looked toward Martin.
"That's what Peter was trying to tell us.""
Martin immediately called the number Peter had used.
No answer.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Then my phone received a message.
Claire, I have the original records. Meet me at the old Hale estate in Westchester. Come alone. If you bring Grayson, Richard will know.
I showed the message to Martin.
He frowned.
"Absolutely not.""
Grayson took my phone.
"You're not going anywhere alone.""
I pulled it back.
"Someone has my father's medical records, someone is using your identity, and someone has been controlling both our families for years. We cannot keep reacting to messages without understanding who's behind them.""
Martin considered the situation.
"Peter may be trying to expose Richard. But this could also be a trap.""
My father reached for my hand.
"Claire, listen to me. Richard doesn't threaten people unless he knows exactly what they're afraid of losing.""
I looked at him.
"What are you afraid of?""
He swallowed.
"That he will take you from me again.""
I bent down and kissed his forehead.
"Nobody is taking me anywhere.""
Martin arranged for the facility's security team to protect my father. Grayson insisted on accompanying me, but I made him stay behind with Daniel.
I needed to know whether Peter would tell me the truth without Grayson present.
Two hours later, I arrived at the old Hale estate.
The mansion stood behind tall iron gates, surrounded by bare trees and a long stone driveway.
I had visited it many times during my marriage.
It had always felt cold.
Now I understood why.
Peter was waiting in the library.
His tie was loose, his shirt wrinkled, and a small cut crossed his forehead.
"Claire.""
"Where is Richard?""
Peter locked the door.
"Not here. But he knows you've discovered the truth.""
I placed my handbag on the table.
"Show me the records.""
Peter removed a thick folder.
Inside were company transfers, medical records, and copies of several death certificates.
One belonged to Richard Hale.
Another belonged to a woman named Eleanor Hale.
Grayson's mother.
Both certificates had been registered years apart.
Both were false.
I looked at Peter.
"Why did you help them?""
He lowered his eyes.
"Because Richard threatened my family. He told me he'd destroy my wife's business and have my son arrested on fabricated charges if I didn't cooperate.""
"And the payments to Vanessa?""
"Those were arranged through Northbridge. I was instructed to process them using your digital credentials.""
"Who gave you access to my signature?""
Peter hesitated.
"Margaret.""
I closed my eyes.
"Of course.""
Peter opened another folder.
"There's something else. Richard didn't just create Northbridge to steal the Bennett inheritance. He used it to conceal ownership of several properties and companies.""
He placed a document in front of me.
One company owned a majority stake in Hale Development.
Another controlled the remaining shares of the Bennett trust.
And the third was registered under the name of Eleanor Hale.
"Your husband's mother owns part of the company?""
Peter nodded.
"Richard transferred the shares into her name shortly before her supposed death. But she never signed the transfer.""
"Then who did?""
Peter looked at me.
"Vanessa.""
I stared at him.
"She forged her mother's signature?""
"Yes. Richard used her as the legal representative for several years.""
Suddenly, a door opened behind us.
A woman stepped into the library.
She was older, with silver hair and a walking cane.
But her eyes were unmistakable.
Grayson's eyes.
"Peter," she said quietly, "you shouldn't have brought Claire here.""
I stood.
"Mrs. Hale?""
The woman looked at me.
"Please. Call me Eleanor.""
My hands began trembling.
"You're alive.""
She nodded.
"Unfortunately, I was never allowed to be.""
I moved closer.
"Where have you been?""
"Four years in a private residence in Connecticut. Before that, a medical facility in Massachusetts. Richard paid people to keep me quiet.""
"Why didn't you contact your sons?""
Eleanor's eyes filled.
"Because he threatened to make them disappear too.""
I thought of Grayson and Daniel.
"Does Grayson know?""
"Not yet.""
She placed a small photograph on the table.
It showed a much younger Richard standing beside a woman holding a newborn baby.
The woman was Eleanor.
The baby was Vanessa.
Behind them stood Margaret.
I looked at the photograph.
"Why was my mother involved?""
Eleanor sat down.
"Because Margaret and Richard had an arrangement long before you married Grayson.""
My throat tightened.
"What arrangement?""
Eleanor looked directly at me.
"Margaret helped Richard steal Robert's company shares. In exchange, Richard promised her a percentage of the Hale empire.""
"Then why did they turn against each other?""
"Because Margaret wanted more. She wanted control of the Bennett trust, and Richard wanted to keep the entire empire for his children.""
I looked at Peter.
"Where is Richard now?""
Peter opened his mouth.
Before he could answer, the lights went out.
A car engine roared outside.
Eleanor grabbed my wrist.
"He's here.""
Peter rushed toward the window.
A black SUV had stopped near the entrance.
Two men stepped out.
Then a third person emerged.
A familiar woman in an emerald evening gown.
My mother.
Margaret.
She entered the library without knocking.
"Claire, sweetheart.""
I stared at her.
"What are you doing here?""
She smiled sadly.
"Coming to save you.""
Eleanor stood with her cane.
"You've done enough saving, Margaret.""
My mother looked at her.
May you like
Then she said something that made Peter drop his folder.
"Richard is already on his way. And this time, he isn't coming to negotiate.""
