Chapter 7: The Mother Who Had Been Erased
“Danielle isn't the person who gave birth to Ava.””
The woman's words seemed to suck all the air out of the basement.
I looked at Danielle.
She was standing inside the elevator, pale and exhausted, with tears running down her cheeks.
“Marcus, don't listen to Richard,” she whispered.
The older woman beside her stepped forward.
She looked to be in her late fifties. Her dark hair was streaked with silver, and a thin scar ran along her jaw.
She held a photograph in one hand.
It showed a hospital room.
A newborn baby lay in a clear plastic crib.
On the back, someone had written a date.
The date Ava was born.
“My name is Eleanor Reed,” she said.
“I gave birth to you. And I gave birth to Ava.””
I stared at her.
“That's impossible.””
Eleanor shook her head.
“Richard made it possible.””
My father stepped between us.
“Eleanor, you shouldn't be here.””
She looked at him with undisguised hatred.
“You've had thirty years to tell him the truth, Thomas.””
Thomas.
The name I had known my entire life.
The man who raised me.
The man I had buried.
The man who had apparently been hiding an entire family history.
Richard laughed.
“Please, don't make this emotional. We have business to finish.””
I turned toward him.
“Why is Eleanor saying she gave birth to Ava?””
Richard opened his leather case.
Inside were several folders, medical records, and photographs.
“Because Danielle couldn't have children.””
Danielle flinched.
I looked at her.
“What?””
She lowered her eyes.
“Marcus, I wanted to tell you.””
Richard continued before she could speak.
“Your wife discovered her infertility shortly after your marriage. She was terrified you'd leave her. Eleanor offered to help.””
“That doesn't make sense.””
Eleanor stepped closer.
“I was pregnant at the same time as Danielle. I delivered a baby girl two days before Ava was born.””
I looked between them.
“Then whose baby did Danielle bring home?””
Eleanor's voice broke.
“Mine.””
Silence.
Ava began crying.
“Daddy, I don't understand.””
I crouched beside her.
“It's okay, sweetheart.””
But it wasn't.
Nothing was okay.
I looked at Danielle.
“Is this true?””
She nodded slowly.
“I couldn't have children. I found out after two miscarriages. I was afraid you'd blame me.””
“Danielle, I never would have—”
“I know that now. But I was young, frightened, and desperate to keep the life we'd built.””
Eleanor continued.
“Richard arranged everything through a private clinic. My daughter was registered under Danielle's name. The records were altered, and I was told my baby had died.””
I looked at Richard.
“You stole a child from her?””
Richard adjusted his cufflinks.
“I arranged a family.””
“You stole my daughter.””
“I gave you a daughter.””
I stood.
“Those are not the same thing.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“Your inheritance was structured to pass to your biological descendants. I needed a legitimate heir connected to the Reed family trust. Ava was the perfect solution.””
My father shook his head.
“You used an innocent child.””
Richard turned toward him.
“And you helped.””
Thomas lowered his head.
I wanted to hate him.
I wanted to scream.
But before I could speak, Eleanor pulled another document from her coat.
“There is something else.””
She handed it to me.
It was a laboratory report.
Two names appeared at the top.
Marcus Reed.
Ava Reed.
Below them was a DNA comparison.
I read the results.
My hands began shaking.
The report confirmed that Ava was my biological daughter.
I looked at Eleanor.
“How?””
She swallowed.
“Richard used my eggs and your biological father's genetic material to create the embryo. He arranged the procedure before you and Danielle married.””
I stared at her.
“Richard?””
She nodded.
“He wanted a child who carried his bloodline and could inherit the company. But he couldn't publicly acknowledge you without explaining what he'd done thirty years earlier.””
Richard smiled.
“You see? Everything worked out beautifully.””
Danielle suddenly stepped forward.
“Except you forgot one thing.””
Richard's smile disappeared.
“What?””
“She isn't your possession.””
Danielle pointed toward Ava.
“She is a little girl who deserves to know the truth without being used as a bargaining chip.””
Richard looked at her coldly.
“You've already caused enough damage.””
He reached for Ava.
I moved immediately, placing myself between them.
“Don't touch her.””
Richard pulled a gun from his jacket.
Detective Hayes raised his weapon.
“Drop it!””
Richard pressed the barrel against Ava's shoulder.
Everyone froze.
“Put your weapon down, Robert.””
Hayes slowly lowered his gun.
I felt Ava trembling against my leg.
“Richard,” I whispered, “look at me.””
He glanced at me.
“Take me instead.””
Richard laughed.
“Still trying to be the hero?””
“She's six years old.””
“And she's worth considerably more than you understand.””
Eleanor suddenly stepped forward.
“Richard, let her go.””
He turned.
For the first time, his expression showed genuine surprise.
Eleanor reached into her coat.
She pulled out a small black device.
Richard's face went white.
“What are you doing?””
She pressed a button.
A red light began blinking.
Then a voice filled the basement.
Richard's own voice.
“If the girl dies, the inheritance becomes available immediately. We can dispose of the body and claim the father took her.””
He stared at Eleanor.
“You recorded me?””
She nodded.
“Every word.””
Hayes immediately raised his weapon again.
“Drop the gun!””
Richard shoved Ava toward me and fired.
The shot struck the ceiling.
Thomas tackled Richard.
The gun skidded across the floor.
I grabbed Ava and pulled her behind the table.
Hayes rushed forward and handcuffed Richard.
But as the detective dragged him toward the stairs, Richard began laughing.
“You think you've won?””
Hayes tightened the cuffs.
Richard looked directly at me.
“Ask Eleanor why she really came back.””
Then he smiled.
“She didn't come to save Ava, Marcus.””
May you like
He leaned closer.
“She came to collect her.””
