Chapter 9: The Woman Who Never Died
Daniel couldn't move.
His mother's face looked older.
Her hair was silver.
Her posture slightly bent.
But there was no mistaking her.
“Mom?””
She smiled.
“Hello, Daniel.””
Leah stepped backward.
Ava grabbed Naomi's coat.
Naomi whispered, “Don't look at her.””
Daniel's voice shook.
“You died.””
His mother descended one stair.
“I wanted you to believe that.””
“Why?””
“Because it was easier.””
Daniel stared at her.
“You told me my daughter was dead.””
“Yes.””
“You told me Naomi abandoned me.””
“Yes.””
“You destroyed my family.””
His mother's expression barely changed.
“I protected you.””
“From what?””
“From the truth.””
Marcus appeared behind her.
Daniel looked at him.
“You said you weren't working with her.””
Marcus smiled.
“I never said that.””
Naomi stepped forward.
“You promised you would leave Ava alone.””
Marcus shook his head.
“I promised your mother.””
Daniel looked at his mother.
“Why?””
She looked at Ava.
“Because that child was never supposed to survive.””
Daniel's face twisted.
“You tried to kill my daughter?””
“No.””
She pointed toward Naomi.
“She did.””
Naomi went pale.
“That's a lie.””
“Is it?””
Daniel looked between them.
His mother continued.
“Ask Naomi about Grace.””
Naomi shook her head.
“Daniel, don't listen.””
“What happened to Grace?””
Naomi's eyes filled with tears.
“I told you.””
“Tell me again.””
“I was told she died.””
His mother smiled.
“You were told correctly.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Then why did you say she survived?””
“To make you doubt Naomi.””
Ava whispered, “Where is Grace?””
Nobody answered.
Then Marcus stepped forward.
“She isn't dead.””
Daniel's mother turned sharply.
“Marcus.””
He ignored her.
“Your mother lied about Grace too.””
Daniel stared at him.
“Where is my daughter?””
Marcus looked at Ava.
“She's standing beside her sister.””
Leah's breath caught.
Ava looked confused.
“What?””
Marcus pointed toward Naomi.
“Grace.””
Naomi began crying.
“No.””
Daniel looked at his wife.
“Naomi?””
She shook her head.
“No, Daniel.””
Marcus laughed.
“She doesn't remember.””
Daniel's mother descended another step.
“She never knew.””
Leah suddenly understood.
“The baby at the hospital.””
Daniel looked at her.
“What?””
“The baby they said died.””
Leah looked at Ava.
“Ava wasn't the baby.””
Daniel's face went blank.
“What are you saying?””
Leah's voice trembled.
“There were two daughters.””
Naomi nodded slowly.
“Grace was born first.””
Daniel stared.
“And Ava?””
“Ten minutes later.””
Silence.
His mother whispered, “Two babies. One record.””
Daniel looked at Ava.
Then Naomi.
Then Marcus.
“Which one died?””
Marcus answered.
“Neither.””
Daniel's knees weakened.
Leah caught his shoulder.
His mother shook her head.
“This is exactly why I tried to bury the truth.””
Daniel looked at her.
“You separated my daughters.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because Grace was sick.””
Naomi screamed.
“Don't you dare!””
His mother continued.
“She needed treatment. Daniel's money was tied up. The business was failing.””
Daniel stared.
“So you sold my daughter?””
“No.””
Marcus answered for her.
“She made a deal.””
Daniel looked at him.
“With whom?””
Marcus's smile vanished.
“With the people who wanted the hospital records.””
Leah's voice was quiet.
“Why?””
Marcus looked at Ava.
“Because someone wanted a child with no identity.””
Ava's face went white.
“Why?””
Marcus didn't answer.
Naomi stepped forward.
“Because they were building new identities for children.””
Leah stared.
“What?””
“Children whose parents were dead. Children whose parents couldn't be found. Children who could disappear.””
Daniel looked sick.
“And Ava?””
Naomi nodded.
“They wanted to erase her.””
His mother whispered, “I saved her.””
Daniel looked at her.
“You hid her from me.””
“I kept her alive.””
“You made me mourn my daughter.””
“I made you forget.””
Daniel stared.
“What?””
His mother looked at Marcus.
“Tell him.””
Marcus sighed.
“The night of the fire, Daniel was hit on the head.””
Leah remembered the blood on Daniel's forehead.
“He survived.””
Marcus continued.
“But he woke up believing Naomi and the baby were dead.””
Daniel touched his temple.
Fragments moved behind his eyes.
Smoke.
A screaming woman.
A baby crying.
A black stone ring.
His mother's voice.
Marcus carrying something.
Then another image.
A tiny hand.
His hand holding it.
Daniel suddenly gasped.
“I remember.””
Everyone froze.
“What?”” Leah asked.
Daniel looked at Ava.
“I remember carrying you.””
Ava's eyes filled with tears.
“Daddy.””
Daniel walked toward her.
His mother shouted, “Don't!””
He ignored her.
Ava ran into his arms.
Daniel held her tightly.
“I remember.””
Naomi collapsed against the wall, sobbing.
Marcus looked away.
His mother stood motionless.
Then sirens sounded outside.
Leah turned toward the basement window.
“Who called the police?””
Marcus smiled.
“I did.””
Daniel looked at him.
“Why?””
Marcus reached into his pocket and pulled out a small memory card.
“Because your mother wasn't the one who started the fire.””
Daniel froze.
“What?””
Marcus held up the card.
“This has the security footage.””
Naomi stared.
“From the blue house?””
“Yes.””
“Then why wait eight years?””
Marcus looked at Daniel.
“Because the person who ordered the fire is still alive.””
Daniel's mother whispered:
“Marcus.””
He looked at her.
“You can't protect him anymore.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Who?””
Marcus pointed at the basement wall.
At the oldest photograph.
A picture of Daniel's family.
His mother.
His brother.
Naomi.
Baby Grace.
And one more person standing behind them.
A man whose face had been scratched away.
Marcus said:
“The man who paid for everything.””
Then the basement door opened.
A police officer stepped inside.
He looked directly at Daniel.
“Mr. Williams?””
“Yes?””
The officer raised his badge.
“We need you to come with us.””
Daniel frowned.
“Why?””
The officer glanced at Ava.
Then at Naomi.
Then quietly said:
“Because the man who ordered the fire just turned himself in.””
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
“Who?””
The officer hesitated.
Then gave him a name.
Daniel's face went completely white.
May you like
Because it was the one person none of them had suspected.
His own father.
