Chapter 8: The Little Girl in My Husband's House
I couldn't move.
I stared at the photograph until the screen began to blur.
The little girl had dark brown hair and large hazel eyes.
She was sitting on a white sofa, holding a stuffed rabbit.
Behind her was a familiar fireplace.
I had seen it hundreds of times.
It was in Richard's childhood home.
The house where he claimed he had spent most of his childhood holidays.
The house he told me was empty.
"Who sent this?"" Edward asked.
I turned the phone toward him.
He examined the image.
"Do you recognize the room?""
"Yes.""
"Where?""
"Arthur's house.""
Eleanor stood so quickly that her chair fell backward.
"That's the baby.""
I looked at her.
"What baby?""
"Patricia's daughter. The child in the hospital photograph.""
My phone vibrated again.
Another message.
Her name is Sophie. Richard has been raising her in secret.
I read it aloud.
Margaret immediately took a photograph of the messages.
"Don't respond yet.""
But I was already typing.
Who are you?
The reply came almost immediately.
Someone who has been watching Richard for years.
Then another message.
If you want to know why your husband married you, ask him what happened to Sophie's mother.
I felt sick.
"Richard has another daughter?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"Not another daughter. Your sister.""
I sat down.
"How could she be my sister?""
Margaret answered carefully.
"If Patricia's first child was fathered by Daniel, and Daniel was your biological father, then you and the girl would share the same biological father.""
I looked at the little girl again.
She was smiling.
A normal child.
A child who had no idea that adults had spent years hiding her existence.
"Why is she living with Richard?""
Edward was already calling someone.
"We need to establish whether he has legal guardianship.""
I stood.
"I'm going to get her.""
Edward caught my arm.
"Emily, no.""
"She's my sister.""
"And if Richard is keeping her hidden, walking into that house without preparation could put both of you in danger.""
"She's four years old!""
"I know.""
His voice softened.
"That's why we need to do this properly.""
Margaret received a message from the hospital archivist.
She read it, then looked up.
"The original records identify Patricia as the biological mother. But there's another document.""
"What?""
"A confidential medical note written by the attending physician.""
She opened the scan.
The note was dated January 19, 2006.
Mother requested that infant be transferred without notifying biological father. Mother stated that the father posed a danger to the child.
I frowned.
"Why would she say that?""
Eleanor shook her head.
"Daniel would never have hurt a child.""
Margaret continued reading.
Mother also requested that her identity be concealed from the receiving family.
I looked at the screen.
"She gave her own baby away and hid her identity?""
"Apparently.""
"Why?""
No one answered.
Then Edward's phone rang.
It was the private investigator he'd hired to locate Arthur.
Edward put it on speaker.
"Tell me you found something.""
The investigator's voice was hurried.
"I found the house. Arthur is there.""
"And the child?""
"She's there too.""
I leaned forward.
"Is Richard there?""
"Yes.""
Edward looked at me.
The investigator continued.
"But there's a problem. Richard isn't alone.""
"Who else?""
"Patricia.""
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
My mother was at the house.
Edward asked for the address.
The investigator gave it.
Margaret immediately began making calls.
Within twenty minutes, we were on our way.
The house stood behind tall iron gates on a private road.
It was enormous, with white columns and dark windows.
Two security cameras pointed toward the entrance.
Edward instructed the driver to stop at the neighboring property.
"We wait for the authorities," he said.
I stared at the house.
"I can't just sit here.""
Eleanor took my hand.
"Emily, I know how you feel.""
"Do you?""
She squeezed my fingers.
"I spent twenty years wanting to run into a building and take my daughter home. I know.""
That stopped me.
I looked at her.
"I'm sorry.""
She smiled sadly.
"Don't apologize for loving your family.""
A police vehicle arrived several minutes later.
Detective Harris stepped out.
He approached Edward, listened to the explanation, and reviewed the documents Margaret had brought.
Then he looked at me.
"Mrs. Bennett, I understand you believe there's a child inside who may be your biological sister.""
"Yes.""
"We'll make contact. But I need you to remain outside until we establish the situation.""
I nodded.
The officers walked toward the gate.
A security guard came out.
After a brief conversation, the front door opened.
Richard appeared.
He was wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
He looked calm.
Almost amused.
Then he saw me.
His expression hardened.
"What the hell are you doing here?""
I stepped forward.
"Where is the little girl?""
Richard laughed.
"What little girl?""
"Don't lie to me.""
He looked toward Detective Harris.
"This is a private residence. My wife is having another episode.""
The detective remained expressionless.
"Mr. Bennett, we have received information concerning a minor child who may be residing here without proper guardianship documentation.""
Richard's smile disappeared.
"That's absurd.""
A woman's voice came from inside.
"Richard, who is it?""
Patricia appeared behind him.
She looked at me.
Then at Eleanor.
Her face crumpled.
"Oh, God.""
I walked toward her.
"Where is my sister?""
Patricia shook her head.
"Emily, please.""
"Where is she?""
Richard grabbed my arm.
"You're not coming inside.""
Detective Harris immediately stepped between us.
"Let go of her.""
Richard released me.
Then a small voice came from somewhere inside the house.
"Grandma?""
A little girl appeared at the top of the staircase.
She held a stuffed rabbit.
Her eyes moved across the adults.
Then she looked directly at me.
"Who are you?""
I felt tears fill my eyes.
I took one step forward.
"Hi, sweetheart.""
Richard shouted, "Sophie, go upstairs!""
The girl flinched.
Patricia covered her mouth.
I crouched.
"My name is Emily.""
Sophie tilted her head.
"Are you Daddy's friend?""
I couldn't answer.
Then she looked at Patricia.
"Grandma says my mommy went away.""
The room went silent.
I slowly turned toward my mother.
"Where is her mother?""
Patricia began crying.
Richard's jaw tightened.
May you like
And Sophie whispered the words that changed everything.
"Grandma says my mommy is dead.""
