Chapter 3 - THE MAN IN THE BLACK SEDAN
The police arrived within minutes.
The black sedan was gone.
Whoever had been watching the hospital had disappeared before anyone could reach the vehicle.
But the message was clear.
Someone knew we had discovered the trust.
Someone knew about my baby.
And someone wanted us frightened.
Arthur moved me to a private room.
Bennett stayed beside me.
Victoria was taken away for questioning.
Margot was detained separately.
I watched through the window as police vehicles left the hospital grounds.
Bennett stood behind me.
“I don't know what to say.”
“You don't have to say anything.”
“I should have believed you.”
“Yes.”
“I should have protected you.”
“Yes.”
He lowered his head.
“I know that doesn't fix anything.”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“But at least you're finally admitting it.”
He nodded.
Arthur entered the room.
“We need to leave.”
“Why?”
“The hospital is no longer secure.”
I immediately stood.
“Where are we going?”
“My private residence.”
Bennett looked at him.
“Is that safe?”
“Safer than here.”
We left through a secured entrance.
The entire drive, nobody spoke.
When we reached Arthur's estate, security surrounded the property.
I had been there many times as a child.
It had always felt safe.
Now every camera and locked gate made me nervous.
Arthur took me into his study.
He opened a large safe.
Inside were old documents.
Photographs.
Letters.
A small wooden box.
He placed one photograph on the desk.
It showed my mother as a young woman.
Beside her stood a man.
I stared.
“Who's that?”
Arthur didn't answer.
Bennett stepped closer.
“Is that Daniel Reed?”
Arthur nodded.
My stomach tightened.
“My mother knew him.”
“Yes.”
“How well?”
Arthur looked at me.
“Very well.”
I felt sick.
“What are you not telling me?”
Arthur sighed.
“Your mother had a secret before she married.”
“What secret?”
“She was pregnant.”
I froze.
“I know I was born before her marriage.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“She was pregnant with twins.”
I stared.
“Twins?”
“Yes.”
“Me and who?”
Arthur opened another file.
A birth record.
There were two names.
Sophia Monroe.
And another child.
The second name had been blacked out.
“Why?”
“Because that child disappeared.”
Bennett looked shocked.
“Where?”
“We don't know.”
I felt my heart pounding.
“Was it a boy?”
“Yes.”
“Who was his father?”
Arthur hesitated.
“Daniel Reed.”
I stepped backward.
“So I had a twin brother?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to him?”
Arthur closed his eyes.
“We were told he died.”
“Who told you?”
“Daniel Reed.”
I stared.
“Then he may have lied.”
“Yes.”
The room became silent.
Arthur looked at me.
“We believe your brother survived.”
My heart stopped.
“Where is he?”
“We don't know.”
“Then find him.”
“We are trying.”
“No.”
My voice became stronger.
“You've spent years protecting me with secrets.”
Arthur looked hurt.
“I thought I was protecting you.”
“I don't need protection from the truth.”
He nodded.
“You're right.”
He opened another drawer.
Inside was a letter.
My mother's handwriting.
I took it.
The envelope was addressed to me.
I opened it.
Sophia,
If you're reading this, the child has survived.
I stopped.
My hands shook.
I could not protect both of you.
So I protected one in the open and one in the shadows.
I looked at Arthur.
“What does this mean?”
He said nothing.
I continued.
Your brother was given a new identity.
He was placed with someone who could protect him.
If the Carter family ever discovers the truth, find him before they do.
My heart pounded.
Then I reached the final paragraph.
His name is Michael.
I looked at Arthur.
“Michael.”
He nodded.
“That's what we called him.”
“Where is he?”
Arthur looked at Jonathan, who had just entered the room.
Jonathan shook his head.
“We have a possible lead.”
“Where?”
“San Francisco.”
My heart raced.
“Take me there.”
“You're eight months pregnant.”
“I don't care.”
Arthur shook his head.
“You're not traveling tonight.”
“Then tomorrow.”
He hesitated.
“Tomorrow.”
I nodded.
But before anyone could speak again, the front security system sounded.
Three short alarms.
Arthur immediately moved toward the monitor.
A man stood outside the gate.
He wasn't trying to enter.
He simply stood there.
Holding a white envelope.
Security approached him.
He handed it over.
Then walked away.
Arthur opened the envelope.
Inside was one photograph.
A young man.
Dark hair.
Green eyes.
A scar above his eyebrow.
On the back was one sentence.
You found your brother.
I stared at the photograph.
“That's Michael?”
Jonathan nodded.
Then he turned the photograph over again.
There was another sentence beneath the first.
But he isn't the only child your mother hid.
My heart stopped.
I looked at Arthur.
“What does that mean?”
He didn't answer.
Because at that exact moment, the phone on Arthur's desk rang.
He answered.
Nobody spoke.
Then a man's voice whispered:
“Tell Sophia the truth.”
Arthur froze.
The caller continued.
“Her brother is alive.”
A pause.
“But her father is not who she thinks he is.”
The line went dead.
I looked at Arthur.
“Who was that?”
May you like
He slowly lowered the phone.
“Thomas Carter.”
