Chapter 11: The Family Secret
I didn’t understand.
I couldn’t.
My father had been dead for four years.
He had never met Lily.
He had never spoken about her.
So how could he possibly be involved?
“You’re lying.””
Thomas shook his head.
“I wish I was.””
I grabbed his shirt.
“Explain.””
Daniel immediately stepped between us.
“Richard.””
But I couldn’t stop.
Six years of confusion.
Six years of missing pieces.
Six years of pain.
I needed answers.
Thomas looked at me.
“Your father was involved with my family.””
“My father was an accountant.””
Thomas laughed.
“Your father was much more than that.””
I stared.
“What?””
Rachel picked up the documents.
“Richard…”
She looked terrified.
“What?””
She pointed at a page.
“This company.””
I read the name.
Voss Holdings.
My stomach tightened.
“My father worked for them?””
Thomas nodded.
“He managed their private accounts.””
“That’s impossible.””
“No.””
Thomas looked at me.
“He discovered something.””
“What?””
“A fraud scheme.””
The warehouse suddenly felt smaller.
My father.
A secret.
A corporation.
Everything was connected.
Thomas continued.
“Your father found out my family was hiding money.””
Daniel looked at him.
“And Lily?””
Thomas looked at my daughter.
“Her mother discovered the same thing.””
Rachel went pale.
“Rachel?””
She nodded slowly.
“Before the accident, I found documents.””
“What documents?””
“Financial records.””
I looked at her.
“You knew?””
“I knew something was wrong.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because Vanessa already knew.””
The pieces were falling into place.
Vanessa wasn’t just trying to take Lily.
She was trying to bury the truth.
Thomas walked toward the table.
“Your father helped hide Lily because he knew the truth could destroy powerful people.””
I stared.
“Why would he trust Rachel?””
Thomas looked at me.
“Because Rachel was the only person who tried to expose it.””
I looked at Rachel.
She looked exhausted.
“I found Lily after her mother disappeared.””
“Her mother?””
Thomas nodded.
“Her biological mother was my sister.””
I froze.
“Your sister?””
“Yes.””
Rachel whispered:
“Thomas’ sister was Lily’s birth mother.””
I looked at Lily.
“So Rachel knew?””
“She knew enough to protect her.””
Thomas smiled bitterly.
“And Vanessa knew enough to sell her.””
A sound came from behind us.
Everyone turned.
Vanessa was standing near the door.
She looked different.
Not confident anymore.
Broken.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.””
I stepped forward.
“You kidnapped my daughter.””
“I saved her.””
“No.””
My voice was cold.
“You used her.””
Vanessa looked at Lily.
“She deserves the truth.””
“She deserves a childhood.””
Vanessa’s eyes filled with anger.
“You think you’re better?””
I stared.
“You made her wash dishes while you ate.””
“She needed discipline.””
“You threatened a six-year-old.””
“I protected her.””
Rachel stepped forward.
“You threatened me too.””
Vanessa looked at her.
“You abandoned her.””
Rachel’s voice broke.
“I was trying to save her.””
“No.””
Vanessa smiled.
“You were trying to save yourself.””
The words hit Rachel hard.
But she didn’t respond.
Because maybe part of her believed them.
Then Vanessa reached into her coat.
Everyone froze.
Daniel moved immediately.
“What is that?””
Vanessa pulled out a small envelope.
Not a weapon.
A letter.
She handed it to me.
“You want the truth?””
I took it.
“Read it.””
I opened the envelope.
The handwriting was familiar.
My father’s.
My hands trembled.
Richard,
If you are reading this, then I failed.
I stopped breathing.
The letter continued.
There is something about Lily you must know.
I looked up.
Everyone was watching me.
Even Vanessa.
Even Thomas.
May you like
The next sentence changed everything.
Lily is not the only child who was hidden from you.
