Chapter 7: The Man Behind the Secret
“No.””
Grace’s voice echoed through the cellar.
Evelyn didn't move.
Richard looked as though someone had struck him.
Victor stared at his sister-in-law with open disbelief.
“You said Thomas never touched Anna,” Victor whispered.
Evelyn looked at him.
“I said I couldn't prove he did.””
“You told me he was innocent.””
“I lied.””
Victor's face twisted with anger.
“You let me spend twenty-six years believing my brother was protecting her.””
“He wasn't.””
Richard stepped toward Evelyn.
“You knew Thomas was Grace's father?””
Evelyn nodded.
“How?””
Evelyn looked at Grace.
“Because I was there the night Anna told him.””
Grace's fingers tightened around the letter.
“What happened?””
Evelyn took a shaky breath.
“Anna came to my house. She was carrying you. She told me she was pregnant with Thomas's child.””
Richard stared at her.
“But Anna told me I was the father.””
“She believed you were.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“She had been with both of you. She didn't know.””
Grace looked at Victor.
“You said my mother loved you.””
“I loved her,” Victor said.
“She never told me about Thomas.””
“She couldn't,” Evelyn replied.
Victor turned sharply.
“Why?””
“Because Thomas knew.””
Silence.
Evelyn continued.
“He knew the child might be his. And he wanted Anna to marry him.””
Grace felt cold.
“Did she?””
“No.””
“Why?””
Evelyn looked at the floor.
“Because Thomas had already started showing her what kind of man he was.””
Richard's hands curled into fists.
“What did he do?””
“He followed her. Read her mail. Threatened anyone who got close.””
Grace remembered her mother's old habits.
The curtains always closed before sunset.
The doors locked twice.
The phone unplugged at night.
She had always thought her mother was simply cautious.
Now those memories had teeth.
Grace whispered, “She was afraid of him.””
“Yes.””
“And you knew.””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn't you help her?””
Evelyn looked directly at her.
“Because I was selfish.””
Richard stared at her.
“That isn't the whole truth.””
“No.””
Evelyn's voice broke.
“I was also afraid of Thomas.””
Victor stepped forward.
“My brother didn't scare you.””
“He did.””
“How?””
Evelyn reached into her pocket and removed a small silver key.
“He threatened to destroy Richard.””
Richard frowned.
“What did that mean?””
Evelyn looked at him.
“Thomas knew about the money.””
“What money?””
“The Hart inheritance.””
Richard went still.
Evelyn continued.
“Your father had a clause in his will. If you had an illegitimate child, you would lose control of the family trust.””
Grace looked at Richard.
“And that was the reason?””
Evelyn nodded.
“Thomas knew. He threatened to expose you unless I helped him separate you from Anna.””
Richard stared at her.
“You ruined my relationship with her because of money.””
“I thought I could control the situation.””
“You gave Thomas access to her.””
“I know.””
Victor shook his head.
“You didn't protect anyone.””
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
“I know.””
Grace held up the letter.
“My mother says Thomas wasn't the only person involved.””
Evelyn looked at the page.
“Keep reading.””
Grace's eyes moved across the next paragraph.
Her mother's handwriting became more hurried.
*Thomas believed Grace was his. But I discovered something before I died. The DNA test was altered.*
Grace looked up.
“Altered?””
Richard stepped closer.
“What does that mean?””
“It means the first paternity test was manipulated.””
Evelyn nodded.
“Thomas paid someone to alter the records.””
Victor whispered, “Then how do we know he's really the father?””
Grace looked at Evelyn.
“Do we?””
Evelyn hesitated.
Then she pointed toward the black cabinet.
“There is one more envelope.””
Grace searched the cabinet.
Her fingers found a thin folder hidden behind the documents.
She pulled it free.
Inside was a laboratory report.
This one carried an official seal.
Grace read the result.
*PATERNITY PROBABILITY: THOMAS VALE — 99.9998%.*
Her knees nearly gave out.
Richard caught her elbow.
Grace pulled away.
“No.””
Richard released her.
Grace stared at the report.
“My father was Thomas.””
“Yes,” Evelyn said.
Grace looked at her.
“Where is he?””
Evelyn's expression changed.
“He's dead.””
Victor exhaled.
“When?””
“Three years ago.””
Grace froze.
“The same year my mother died?””
Evelyn nodded.
Richard looked between them.
“How?””
“Car accident.””
Grace stared at the floor.
“Was it really an accident?””
Nobody answered.
That was answer enough.
A heavy thud came from above them.
Everyone looked toward the ceiling.
Another thud.
Then a man's voice.
“Open the door.””
Victor went pale.
Richard whispered, “Who is that?””
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“No.””
Grace stepped toward the staircase.
The voice came again.
“Evelyn. Open the door.””
Victor backed away.
“That’s impossible.””
Grace looked at him.
“You recognize the voice.””
Victor swallowed.
“It sounds like Thomas.””
Richard shook his head.
“Thomas is dead.””
The voice came a third time.
This time, closer.
“I said open the door.””
Evelyn grabbed Grace's wrist.
“Whatever you do, don't let him see the letter.””
Grace stared at her.
“Why?””
Evelyn looked toward the ceiling.
“Because if Thomas is alive…”
The cellar lights suddenly went out.
May you like
Evelyn finished in the darkness.
“…then your mother didn't die three years ago.””
