Chapter 4: The Other Grandchild
I read the final sentence of Richard Carter's letter three times.
The trust shall recognize all biological grandchildren born before or after my death, provided their identities are established through independent genetic verification.
I looked at Rebecca.
"Who is the other child?""
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she walked toward the window and stared at the perfectly trimmed garden.
"Richard had another son," she finally said.
I blinked.
"Another son?""
"Daniel has a younger half-brother.""
I stared at her.
"That's impossible. Daniel told me his father had no other children.""
"Daniel didn't know.""
"Then how do you know?""
Rebecca turned around.
"Because I was the one who helped Richard keep the secret.""
I lowered the letter.
"What secret?""
She returned to the table and sat down.
"Before Richard married me, he was involved with a woman named Eleanor Blake. They were young. He loved her, but his family disapproved. They separated, and Richard eventually married me.""
"Did they have a child?""
"Yes. A boy named Nathan.""
The name meant nothing to me.
Rebecca continued.
"Richard found out about Nathan when the boy was three. He tried to support him financially, but Eleanor refused to let him become involved in their lives. She didn't want her son growing up as someone's hidden mistake.""
"Did Daniel know?""
"No. Richard intended to tell him when he was older. But then Eleanor died, and Nathan disappeared from the family's life.""
I looked down at the letter.
"And now?""
Rebecca opened another folder.
"Six months ago, someone contacted the estate attorney claiming to be Nathan's son.""
I felt a chill.
"Someone else has a claim to the inheritance?""
"Yes.""
"Who?""
Rebecca slid a photograph across the table.
A young man stood outside a courthouse, wearing a charcoal suit. He had dark hair, a strong jaw, and the same distinctive Carter eyes.
I studied the picture.
"What's his name?""
"Alexander Blake.""
I looked up.
"Is he Daniel's nephew?""
"Apparently.""
"And what does he have to do with Lily?""
Rebecca folded her hands.
"Richard's will divides the family trust among his grandchildren. Daniel's children and Nathan's children are all eligible. But there is one important condition.""
I waited.
"Richard wanted the money protected from anyone who might use it to control the children. The trustee must establish their identities, appoint independent representatives, and ensure the inheritance cannot be seized by a parent.""
For the first time that morning, I felt a little relief.
"So Daniel can't simply take Lily's money.""
"Not legally.""
"Then why is he so desperate to establish paternity?""
Rebecca hesitated.
"Because he believes the trust is worth more than two hundred million dollars.""
My stomach tightened.
"How much is Lily entitled to?""
"That depends on the final valuation and the number of eligible grandchildren.""
I stared at her.
Two hundred million dollars.
The amount was almost incomprehensible.
But the thought of Daniel trying to use our daughter to gain access to it made me physically sick.
"Why didn't you tell me this five years ago?""
Rebecca's eyes filled.
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of what?""
"Of losing everything.""
I laughed bitterly.
"You already helped me lose everything.""
She lowered her head.
"I know.""
I collected the documents.
"From now on, I want all communication through lawyers.""
"Amara, please. I want to help.""
I stopped at the door.
"Then start by telling the truth.""
I left the estate with a folder full of secrets and a head full of questions.
By the time I reached Lily's preschool, I had already called my attorney.
His name was Jonathan Miles.
He had represented me during the final years of building Élan Hospitality and was one of the few people I trusted without hesitation.
He answered immediately.
"Amara, what's happened?""
"I need you to investigate a trust established by Richard Carter.""
There was a pause.
"Richard Carter? Your former father-in-law?""
"Yes. Apparently, he left something for Lily.""
"How much something?""
"I don't know yet. But Daniel has been trying to get control of it.""
Jonathan's voice became serious.
"Don't sign anything. Don't agree to any DNA testing outside an independent legal process. And don't discuss the trust with Daniel.""
"I already have a recording of him discussing his plans.""
"Send it to me.""
I glanced at the preschool entrance.
"There's something else. The will mentions another grandchild.""
"Another grandchild?""
"An alleged son of Richard's secret son.""
Jonathan exhaled.
"This is becoming complicated.""
"That's why I'm calling you.""
He paused.
"Amara, one question. Does Lily know anything about Daniel?""
"No.""
"Keep it that way until we understand what's happening.""
I ended the call.
Then I walked inside.
Lily was sitting at a small table, coloring a picture of a purple dinosaur.
When she saw me, she jumped up.
"Mommy!""
I crouched and hugged her.
"How was your day?""
"Good! I made you something.""
She handed me a drawing.
It showed a restaurant with a big red roof. A little girl stood beside a woman wearing a white jacket.
Above them, Lily had written:
MY MOMMY IS THE BOSS.
I smiled.
"That's beautiful.""
She looked at my face.
"Why are your eyes sad?""
I brushed her curls back.
"Sometimes grown-ups have difficult things to figure out.""
"Like math?""
I laughed.
"Much more annoying than math.""
She giggled.
I held her hand as we walked toward the car.
For a moment, I thought about the inheritance.
Then I looked at her.
I didn't care whether she inherited ten dollars or ten million.
I wanted her to grow up knowing she was loved.
And nobody was going to use her as a bargaining chip.
That evening, Jonathan called.
"I've found the trust documents.""
I sat at my desk.
"And?""
"There's a problem.""
"What kind?""
"Your former father-in-law established the trust through a private investment company. Daniel's name appears in several amendments.""
I frowned.
"You said he couldn't control the inheritance.""
"He can't automatically control it. But there's something I need you to see.""
He emailed me a document.
I opened it.
The final amendment had been signed two years before Richard died.
It stated that any grandchild whose existence had been concealed from the family could receive an additional protective allocation.
I read the paragraph carefully.
Then I noticed the name listed beneath the clause.
*Alexander Blake.*
"Jonathan, why is his name here?""
"Because he contacted the trustee six months ago.""
"And what did he ask for?""
Jonathan went quiet.
Then he answered.
"He didn't ask for money, Amara.""
"What did he ask for?""
"He requested a copy of Richard's original letter to his unborn grandchildren.""
I leaned back.
"Why?""
"Because he believes Richard's death wasn't natural.""
Before I could respond, my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
A message appeared.
Mrs. Carter, my name is Alexander Blake. I believe our families have been lying to us for years. We need to meet before Daniel finds out what I know.
Then another message arrived.
Your daughter is not the only person her father has been keeping secrets about.
May you like
I stared at the screen.
And for the first time, I wondered whether Daniel's betrayal had started long before our marriage ended.
