Chapter 14: The Daughter They Were All Protecting
I couldn't hear anything after that.
Not the voices.
Not the shouting.
Not the rain hitting the windows.
Only one sentence repeated in my mind.
I adopted you to save you.
I looked at Daniel.
The man I had spent my entire life missing.
The man I had finally found.
And suddenly, I didn't know who he was.
"You're not my father.""
His face broke.
"No.""
"Don't.""
My voice cracked.
"You don't get to say no.""
I pointed at the documents.
"My entire life was fake.""
"Your life wasn't fake.""
"Then what was it?""
He stepped closer.
"Sarah, I loved you.""
"That doesn't answer my question.""
He stopped.
Because it didn't.
Claire watched us quietly.
Enjoying every second.
"She deserves the truth.""
Daniel looked at her with hatred.
"You don't get to decide that.""
"I've been deciding everything for thirty years.""
My mother stepped forward.
"Enough.""
Everyone looked at her.
For the first time, I saw something different in her.
Not fear.
Strength.
"You took everything from us.""
Claire smiled.
"No.""
She looked at me.
"Your father did.""
My mother shook her head.
"Daniel saved her.""
"Did he?""
Claire pointed at me.
"Ask her why her real family disappeared.""
I turned toward Daniel.
"Who were my real parents?""
Silence.
Then he answered.
"Your mother was named Rachel.""
My heart tightened.
"Rachel?""
He nodded.
"She was your grandfather's daughter.""
Claire looked away.
"She was my sister.""
I stared at her.
"So you are my aunt.""
Claire nodded.
"Yes.""
"Then why did everyone think I was dead?""
Daniel looked at the floor.
"Because Rachel was killed.""
My chest tightened.
"And my father?""
Claire answered.
"Also killed.""
I looked at her.
"By who?""
She didn't answer.
Because Daniel did.
"By the same people who built the identity network.""
Claire's expression changed.
"Careful.""
Daniel ignored her.
"Your parents discovered what your grandfather was doing.""
"And?""
"They tried to expose him.""
I looked at the documents.
"And they died.""
Daniel nodded.
"You survived.""
My voice became quiet.
"How?""
He looked at me.
"Because I found you.""
The room became still.
"You were six months old.""
I covered my mouth.
"I don't remember.""
"I know.""
He swallowed.
"You were too young.""
"What happened?""
Daniel looked at the floor.
"Your mother was already gone. Your father was killed. Claire wanted you erased.""
Claire interrupted.
"I wanted the threat removed.""
Daniel glared at her.
"You wanted a baby murdered.""
"I wanted the evidence gone.""
I felt sick.
"Evidence?""
Daniel looked at me.
"You were the only person who could inherit your grandfather's files.""
"What files?""
"The original records.""
He opened another folder.
Inside were old photographs.
Documents.
A small DNA report.
I looked at it.
Then froze.
Because it showed something impossible.
A genetic match.
Between me and my grandfather.
The man I had never questioned.
The man I thought was simply my grandfather.
"Why would I inherit his files?""
Daniel looked at Claire.
"Because your grandfather hid the access code inside your birth records.""
I shook my head.
"I don't understand.""
Claire smiled.
"Your real name.""
"What?""
"Sarah Mitchell was never your first name.""
The room went silent.
Daniel looked at me.
"Your birth name was Sarah Rachel Mitchell.""
My mother's face changed.
Because she knew.
Claire stepped closer.
"And only one person knew the full code.""
I looked at her.
"Who?""
She smiled.
"You.""
I froze.
"Me?""
"Your grandfather hid it in your memories.""
I shook my head.
"That's impossible.""
"No.""
Claire looked at the wooden box.
"That's why Daniel kept the music box.""
I looked at it.
The old box.
The one from my childhood.
The one my father gave me.
Claire whispered:
"Your father didn't leave you a message.""
She smiled.
"He left you a key.""
Daniel suddenly moved.
"Sarah, don't open it.""
Everyone looked at him.
I stared.
"Why?""
His eyes filled with fear.
"Because if you remember what's inside...""
A loud crash came from outside.
Everyone turned.
A vehicle had smashed through the front gate.
Claire smiled.
"They're here.""
Captain Williams looked outside.
"Who?""
Claire looked at me.
"The people who have been waiting for you to remember.""
May you like
Then she whispered:
"The people who killed your parents.""
