Chapter 4: The Daughter Richard Tried to Hide
I read the birth certificate three times.
My name was there.
Emily Rose Carter.
My date of birth was there.
And beneath the name of my mother, Patricia Williams, was the name of the man I had called my father-in-law for eight years.
Richard Carter.
"No," I whispered.
"This can't be right.""
Margaret sat beside me, holding my hand.
"Emily, I know this is difficult.""
I pulled away.
"My father was James Williams. He raised me. He taught me how to ride a bicycle. He walked me down the aisle at my wedding.""
"I understand.""
"Then how can you sit here and tell me another man was my father?""
Daniel hadn't said a word.
He stood near the window, staring at the floor.
I turned toward him.
"Did you know?""
His jaw tightened.
"Emily, you need to calm down.""
"Did you know Richard was my biological father?""
He looked at his mother.
That was enough.
I stood up.
"Answer me!""
Daniel finally spoke.
"I found out about six months ago.""
The room seemed to tilt.
"Six months?""
"Vanessa told me.""
I felt sick.
"How did she know?""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"She found some old letters in her mother's apartment. One of them mentioned Richard having another child with Patricia.""
"Me.""
"She suspected it was you.""
I stared at him.
"Did you tell her?""
He hesitated.
"Yes.""
My knees nearly gave way.
Margaret helped me sit down.
"Why?"" I asked.
"Why would you tell her?""
Daniel finally looked at me.
"Because she wanted proof that she was entitled to part of Dad's estate. She thought you were the missing child.""
"And you believed her?""
"At first, I didn't.""
I looked at the birth certificate again.
"But you eventually did.""
He nodded.
"Vanessa had your birth records. She had copies of letters between Patricia and Dad. She even had a photograph of you as a baby.""
I covered my mouth.
My mother had died when I was twenty-four. Before that, she had always refused to discuss my biological father.
Whenever I asked, she said he had abandoned us.
I had believed her.
"Did my mother know Richard was married?""
Margaret answered quietly.
"Yes. According to the letters, Richard promised Patricia he would leave me. He never did.""
I looked at the woman sitting beside me.
She had just discovered that her dead husband's betrayal had been far greater than she imagined.
And yet she was comforting me.
"What happened to my father?"" I whispered.
Margaret understood what I meant.
"James loved you, Emily. Whatever Richard did, it doesn't change the man who raised you.""
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
Daniel approached me.
"Emily, we can work this out.""
I immediately moved away.
"Don't touch me.""
"You're still my wife.""
I looked at him.
"Are you sure you remember what marriage means?""
He lowered his voice.
"I made mistakes.""
"Six months of hiding my identity? A secret marriage? Forged financial documents? Is that what you call mistakes?""
Margaret stood between us.
"Daniel, you need to leave.""
He looked stunned.
"You're throwing me out?""
"I'm asking you to go before I do something I regret.""
Daniel grabbed his car keys.
But before leaving, he turned toward me.
"Emily, whatever Vanessa told you, remember one thing. She isn't innocent.""
I stared at him.
"Neither are you.""
He walked out.
A moment later, his car disappeared down the driveway.
Margaret locked the door.
Then she returned to the table and opened another folder.
"Emily, there's something I haven't told you.""
I looked up.
"What now?""
"Richard didn't just leave behind a confession. He left a revised will.""
She placed a document in front of me.
It was dated three months before his death.
My name appeared near the top.
I read the first paragraph.
Then the second.
My hands began shaking.
Richard had left me a controlling interest in Carter Construction, including thirty-five percent of the company's voting shares.
Daniel had received only ten percent.
"Why?"" I whispered.
Margaret's eyes filled with tears.
"Because Richard knew he had wronged you. He wanted to make sure you were protected.""
I looked at the signature.
It appeared genuine.
Then I noticed a handwritten note attached to the final page.
Emily must never be told until the truth surrounding Vanessa is fully established.
I looked at Margaret.
"Why would he write that?""
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she picked up her phone.
"Because there's a possibility that the woman who brought this information to Daniel has been manipulating both of you.""
Her phone rang.
She answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through the speaker.
"Mrs. Carter, this is Robert Hayes, the estate attorney. We have a serious problem.""
Margaret straightened.
"What happened?""
"Someone entered Richard's private office last night.""
"Was anything stolen?""
There was a pause.
"Yes. The original will.""
Margaret's face went white.
May you like
Then Robert added one sentence.
"And the security footage shows your son entering the building at 11:47 p.m.""
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