Chapter 8: My Father's Last Promise
I sat alone in Thomas Reed's study long after Patricia left the room.
The letter was open in front of me.
My father's handwriting appeared on the second page.
I recognized the uneven pressure of his pen.
He had written it shortly before his death.
Thomas, I know I failed to protect Claire when she was young. I believed Eleanor when she told me the adoption was legal. By the time I discovered the truth, the damage had already been done.
I stopped reading.
My father had known.
He had known that Claire wasn't Eleanor's biological daughter.
He had known my mother had falsified records.
And he had spent years trying to correct it.
I continued.
I have one request. If anything happens to me, please make sure Marcus understands that Claire is not responsible for the lies surrounding her childhood. She deserves a life without shame.
My eyes burned.
Then I reached the final paragraph.
I am especially worried about Vanessa. Eleanor has raised her to believe that Claire stole something from her. One day, that resentment may turn toward Claire's children.
I put the letter down.
The wedding.
The empty chair.
Maya standing alone.
My sister's words.
It had never been about seating arrangements.
Vanessa had spent years believing Maya was an obstacle to her inheritance.
And my mother had encouraged that belief.
Patricia returned carrying a small wooden box.
"Thomas kept this locked away," she said.
She placed it on the desk.
"Claire asked me to give it to you if the inheritance was ever challenged.""
I opened it.
Inside was a gold necklace, several photographs, and a small envelope addressed to Maya.
I picked up the envelope.
My daughter's name was written in Claire's handwriting.
I swallowed.
"Can I read it?""
"Of course.""
The letter was short.
My sweet Maya,
If Daddy is reading this to you one day, it means something happened that made him search for answers.
I want you to remember that you were wanted before you were born. You were loved before anyone knew your name.
Your grandfather Thomas spent years searching for me. He never stopped believing that somewhere in the world, his little girl was alive.
And when he found me, he told me something I will never forget.
He said that love does not become smaller when it is shared.
You are his legacy, but more importantly, you are our greatest gift.
Never let anyone make you feel that you must prove you belong.
All my love,
Mommy.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
For a moment, I couldn't hold back the tears.
Patricia quietly moved toward the window.
I wiped my face.
"Thank you.""
She nodded.
"Claire loved you very much.""
"I know.""
Then I looked at the remaining documents.
"What happens now?""
Patricia returned to the desk.
"Now we establish the full truth. The original hospital records are still preserved in an archive. Thomas obtained certified copies before he died.""
"Can they be used in court?""
"Yes.""
"Then I want everything.""
Patricia opened another folder.
"There's one more issue.""
I looked at her.
"Of course there is.""
She almost smiled.
"Thomas discovered that Eleanor had continued communicating with the hospital administrator for years after Claire's birth.""
"What did they discuss?""
"Payments. Documents. And a second child.""
I frowned.
"Second child?""
Patricia nodded.
"According to the correspondence, Eleanor wasn't the only person involved in the hospital incident.""
I leaned forward.
"Who else?""
Patricia turned a page.
The name was familiar.
My father.
I stared at it.
"No.""
"Your father was not involved in taking Claire. He discovered what happened later. But he was also aware that another child had been affected.""
"Who?""
Patricia looked directly at me.
"We don't know yet.""
She handed me a photograph.
It showed my father standing outside the hospital.
Beside him was a young nurse holding a baby.
On the back, in my father's handwriting, were six words:
The second child must be protected.
I looked at Patricia.
"What does this mean?""
"That's what we need to find out.""
I returned home just before sunset.
Maya was sitting on the front steps, drawing with sidewalk chalk.
She looked up.
"Daddy!""
I smiled and sat beside her.
"What are you drawing?""
"A house.""
She pointed to a little purple figure beside the door.
"That's Mommy.""
I looked at the drawing.
"Beautiful.""
She added another figure.
"That's Grandpa Thomas.""
I smiled faintly.
"Have you met Grandpa Thomas in your dreams?""
She shook her head.
"No. But Mommy told me stories about him.""
I brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"She did?""
"She said he was looking for her for a long time.""
I looked at her.
"That's true.""
Maya continued drawing.
"Do you think he would've liked me?""
I swallowed.
"He would've adored you.""
She smiled.
Then she asked:
"Daddy, are we going to see Grandma again?""
I hesitated.
"Not right now.""
"Why?""
"Because some adults need to make better choices before they can be around people they hurt.""
Maya considered that.
Then she nodded.
"Okay.""
She returned to her drawing.
My phone rang.
Jonathan Collins.
I answered.
"Marcus, we've received something from the court.""
"What?""
"Vanessa's attorney has submitted an emergency request to freeze the inheritance.""
I stood.
"On what grounds?""
"She claims that Claire's identity was fraudulent and that Thomas Reed's estate should be investigated.""
I closed my eyes.
"She's trying to delay everything.""
"Yes. And there's something else.""
"What?""
"Your mother has requested a private meeting with the judge.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"She's offering to provide testimony against Claire's parentage.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"She can't possibly expect anyone to believe her.""
Jonathan paused.
"Marcus, she has submitted another document.""
"What document?""
"A handwritten confession allegedly written by Claire before her death.""
My stomach dropped.
"What does it say?""
Jonathan's voice became quieter.
"It claims Claire knew Maya wasn't biologically related to her and had agreed to keep the truth from you.""
I looked at Maya.
She was drawing a yellow sun in the corner of her picture.
"That's impossible.""
"I believe you. But we need to see the original.""
I looked at the sky.
"Send me everything.""
After ending the call, I sat beside Maya.
She held up her drawing.
"Do you like it?""
I smiled.
"I love it.""
She looked at me.
"Daddy, why are you sad?""
I kissed her forehead.
"I'm not sad, sweetheart. I'm just thinking.""
"About Mommy?""
"Yes.""
She rested her head against my shoulder.
"She would tell you not to worry.""
I closed my eyes.
And for the first time in days, I almost believed everything would be okay.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of an old hospital document.
May you like
The message read:
*You are looking for the wrong second child, Marcus. Ask your mother what happened to the baby she brought home from the hospital.*
