Chapter 6: The Daughter Sarah Never Told Me About
I read the birth certificate three times.
The name remained the same.
Lily Bennett.
Mother: Sarah Bennett.
Father: Not listed.
Date of birth: Four years before Maya.
I looked at Rachel.
"Did you know about this?""
She shook her head.
"Michael, I swear I have never seen that document.""
I sat down.
Sarah had never told me she had another child.
We had met when Maya was three.
We married two years later.
For the rest of her life, Sarah had been honest with me about her past. At least, I thought she had.
I had never known about Lily.
I looked at the photograph again.
The document appeared genuine.
But I couldn't understand why a company buying hair would have information about my late wife's previous child.
"Where did this come from?"" I asked.
Rachel pointed to the message.
"That number.""
I called it immediately.
A man answered.
"Mr. Bennett.""
"Who are you?""
"Someone trying to help you understand the agreement.""
"Start by explaining why you have my wife's birth certificate.""
"Your wife was part of an earlier transaction.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Sarah is dead.""
"I know.""
"Then explain what you're talking about.""
There was a brief silence.
"Sarah had beautiful hair, Mr. Bennett. Your daughter inherited it.""
I felt anger rising through my chest.
"Don't talk about my wife like she's merchandise.""
The man continued calmly.
"Your wife understood the value of her natural hair. She also understood the business.""
I looked at Rachel.
She was staring at me.
"What business?""
"Mr. Bennett, you should speak to Vanessa. She has the complete records.""
"Where is she?""
"She'll contact you.""
"Who are you?""
The line went dead.
I immediately called the police officer who had taken my earlier report.
I explained the new information and sent him the photographs.
He told me not to confront the buyer and asked me to preserve every message.
Then I called Vanessa again.
This time, she answered.
"Michael?""
"Where are you?""
"Why?""
"Because we need to talk about Sarah.""
The silence on the other end was immediate.
"What did you say?""
"Sarah Bennett. Lily Bennett. The birth certificate. Explain it.""
Vanessa exhaled.
"I knew this would happen.""
"What would happen?""
"You would start digging into things you don't understand.""
"Then help me understand.""
She laughed quietly.
"You're making a mistake.""
"Did Sarah have another daughter?""
No answer.
"Vanessa!""
"Yes.""
My heart seemed to stop.
"Where is she?""
"That's not important.""
"She's my daughter's sister.""
"She's not your daughter.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why do you have her birth certificate?""
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"Because I was trying to find her.""
"Why?""
"Because she is part of the agreement.""
I nearly dropped the phone.
"What agreement?""
Vanessa said nothing.
Then she hung up.
I stared at the screen.
Rachel was crying.
"Michael, what are we going to do?""
I stood up.
"We're going to find out who Lily is.""
I went upstairs to check on Maya.
She was sitting on the bed, watching an old video on my tablet.
It was a recording from Sarah's birthday party six years earlier.
Sarah was laughing.
Maya was sitting on her lap.
Her hair was long, almost reaching her waist.
I sat beside her.
"Sweetheart, can I ask you something?""
She paused the video.
"Okay.""
"Did your mother ever tell you about another little girl?""
Maya frowned.
"Who?""
"Someone named Lily.""
She stared at me.
Then she reached for the bedside drawer.
"I've heard that name.""
My heart began pounding.
"Where?""
Maya pulled out a small wooden box.
Inside were photographs, old birthday cards, and a few pieces of jewelry Sarah had left behind.
She removed a folded letter.
"I found this when I was looking for Mom's bracelet last year.""
I opened it carefully.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Sarah's.
The letter was dated six months before she died.
My sweet Maya,
If you're reading this, I hope you've grown into a kind and brave young woman.
There are things about my life I wanted to tell you, but I never found the right time.
You have a sister.
Her name is Lily.
I haven't seen her since she was little, and I have spent years trying to make things right.
Please don't ever believe that you were the reason she left.
You were never a mistake.
I love you both.
Mom.
I felt tears gathering in my eyes.
Maya watched me.
"Does that mean I have a sister?""
I nodded.
"Yes, sweetheart.""
She looked down at the letter.
"Why didn't Mom tell me?""
"I don't know.""
"Does she know about me?""
"I don't know that either.""
Maya was quiet for a long moment.
Then she asked:
"Is that why Vanessa wanted my hair?""
I looked at her.
"I don't think so.""
But I wasn't sure.
I returned to the kitchen with the letter.
Rachel was waiting.
I placed it beside the birth certificate.
"Sarah was looking for Lily.""
Rachel picked up the letter.
Her eyes widened.
"Michael...""
"What?""
She pointed to the date.
Then she pointed to the birth certificate.
"Look at Lily's date of birth.""
I did.
Lily had been born four years before Maya.
The letter was written six months before Sarah died.
But the birth certificate listed a different address from the one Sarah had lived at during our marriage.
I looked closer.
It was a residential care facility.
"Why would a baby be registered there?""
Rachel shook her head.
Then she turned the paper over.
There was a handwritten telephone number.
Underneath it were two words.
*Current guardian.*
I dialed.
A woman answered.
"Hello?""
"My name is Michael Bennett. I'm trying to locate Lily Bennett. Her biological mother was Sarah Bennett.""
The woman became quiet.
"Who gave you this number?""
"I have her birth certificate.""
Another pause.
Then she said:
"Mr. Bennett, I'm afraid you're several years too late.""
My chest tightened.
"What does that mean?""
"Lily left our care when she was six. Her guardian arranged a private placement.""
"Where is she now?""
"I can't disclose that information without authorization.""
"Please. Her mother is dead. Her sister wants to meet her.""
The woman hesitated.
Then she said something unexpected.
"Are you aware that Lily has been receiving payments from a company called Crown & Glory?""
I looked at Rachel.
"What?""
"She has been listed in their records for years.""
I gripped the phone.
"Why?""
The woman lowered her voice.
"Because her guardian signed an agreement involving her biological mother's personal belongings and hair.""
My stomach turned.
"Who was her guardian?""
The woman answered immediately.
"Vanessa Bennett.""
I couldn't move.
Vanessa had known about Lily before she married me.
She had known about Sarah's first daughter.
And somehow, she had been involved in her life for years.
Then the woman added:
"Mr. Bennett, there's something else. Lily has been asking to contact her younger sister.""
I swallowed.
"When?""
"Three days ago.""
"Why?""
The woman paused.
"Because she discovered that someone had taken Maya's hair.""
My phone suddenly vibrated.
A new message appeared.
Unknown number.
*My name is Lily. I'm Sarah's daughter. I think Vanessa is planning to sell something that belongs to me next.*
I stared at the screen.
Then another message arrived.
*Please don't trust her. She has been lying to your family for years.*
And beneath it was a photograph.
A young woman stood in front of a mirror.
She had dark curls.
The same dark curls Sarah had once worn.
The same dark curls Maya had lost.
But it wasn't her hair that made my hands shake.
It was the small silver necklace around her neck.
Sarah had worn that necklace every day.
I had buried her wearing it.
So how was it hanging around the neck of a girl who was supposed to be in someone else's custody?
I called the number immediately.
This time, a young woman's voice answered.
"Dad?""
I couldn't breathe.
She whispered:
"I know you don't remember me.""
May you like
Then she said the words that changed everything.
"But Vanessa does.""
