Chapter 6: The Daughter No One Knew About
The world seemed to stop.
I heard the rain outside.
The clock ticking.
Lily breathing.
But everything else disappeared.
“What did you say?””
Rachel looked like she wanted to take the words back.
“I’m sorry.””
I stared at her.
“No.””
My voice shook.
“No, explain.””
Vanessa stood behind me silently.
Almost enjoying the moment.
Rachel looked at Lily.
Then back at me.
“Before I met you…”
I felt my chest tighten.
“Before you met me?””
Rachel nodded.
“I was married before.””
I blinked.
“What?””
“It was a short marriage.””
“You never told me.””
“I know.””
The pain in her voice was real.
But it didn’t make sense.
“We were together for eight years, Rachel.””
“I know.””
“You told me everything.””
“I thought I did.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You thought?””
Rachel wiped her tears.
“My first husband was abusive.””
The room became quieter.
“I left him before I met you.””
“Then what does that have to do with Lily?””
Rachel looked toward the stairs.
“Because he had a daughter.””
My blood went cold.
“His daughter?””
Rachel nodded.
“Her name was Lily.””
I stared.
“No.””
“I adopted her.””
I couldn’t breathe.
“You mean…”
Rachel nodded.
“Lily was never biologically mine.””
I looked toward my daughter.
The little girl who had called me Daddy since she learned how to speak.
The little girl who had my fingerprints on every memory.
My heart shattered.
“But she’s my daughter.””
Rachel immediately stepped closer.
“Yes.””
Her voice was firm.
“She is.””
“Then why tell me this?””
“Because there’s more.””
Vanessa finally spoke.
“Now you understand.””
I turned toward her.
“What?””
She walked closer.
“Lily’s biological father is alive.””
My blood ran cold.
Rachel’s face changed.
“You weren’t supposed to know that.””
I looked at Rachel.
“Who is he?””
She didn’t answer.
Vanessa smiled.
“Someone who wants his daughter back.””
“No.””
Rachel shook her head.
“He has no rights.””
Vanessa laughed.
“You really believe that?””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Who is this man?””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Someone with powerful friends.””
Rachel whispered his name.
“Thomas Voss.””
The name meant nothing to me.
But the fear on Rachel’s face meant everything.
“Who is Thomas Voss?””
Rachel looked at Lily.
“He was the reason I ran.””
My heart pounded.
“You said Vanessa was the threat.””
“She was part of it.””
The pieces started connecting.
The fake documents.
The custody papers.
The threats.
Vanessa wasn’t acting alone.
I looked at my wife.
“Were you working with him?””
She didn’t answer.
That was enough.
“You were.””
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“You never asked the right questions.””
I stared at her.
“You tortured our daughter.””
Her expression hardened.
“I prepared her.””
“For what?””
“For the life she was supposed to have.””
I stepped closer.
“She’s six years old.””
“She’s an asset.””
The word made me sick.
An asset.
Not a child.
Not Lily.
An asset.
Rachel covered her mouth.
“You’re worse than I thought.””
Vanessa smiled.
“No. I’m the only one being honest.””
Suddenly, a loud crash came from outside.
Everyone turned.
A car door slammed.
Daniel looked through the window.
His face went pale.
“Richard.””
“What?””
“There’s someone outside.””
I walked toward the window.
A black SUV sat in the driveway.
A man stepped out.
Tall.
Expensive suit.
Cold expression.
He looked directly at the house.
Rachel grabbed my arm.
“Don’t let him see Lily.””
The front door opened.
The man walked inside without knocking.
Vanessa smiled.
“Richard.””
She looked at the stranger.
“Meet Thomas.””
The man stared at me.
Then at Lily.
May you like
And he said something that made my blood freeze.
“I’ve been waiting six years to take my daughter home.””
