Chapter 9: What## Chapter 9: What Nia Buried Nia Buried With Her
The cemetery was nearly empty when we With Her
The cemetery was nearly empty when we arrived.
Rain had started falling, turning the narrow paths between arrived.
Rain had started falling, turning the narrow paths between the graves into slick ribbons of mud.
Officer Reynolds drove behind me.
I barely waited for him to park.
the graves into slick ribbons of mud.
Officer Reynolds drove behind me.
I barely waited for him to park.
Nia's grave was near the old oak tree, beneath a white marble headNia's grave was near the old oak tree, beneath a white marble headstone with her name engraved in gold.
Fresh flowers lay across the grass.
Someone had placed a small wooden box beside them.
I stopped.
"That's it," Istone with her name engraved in gold.
Fresh flowers lay across the grass.
Someone had placed a small wooden box beside them.
I stopped.
"That's it," I whispered.
Officer Reynolds approached cautiously.
"Don't touch anything.""
He called the evidence technician while I stared at the box whispered.
Officer Reynolds approached cautiously.
"Don't touch anything.""
He called the evidence technician while I stared at the box.
It was the kind of box Nia used to keep her jewelry in.
A little brass latch.
A faded blue ribbon.
And a small handwritten note.
.
It was the kind of box Nia used to keep her jewelry in.
A little brass latch.
A faded blue ribbon.
And a small handwritten note.
*For Marcus. Open this when you finally know who Lily is.*
My hands shook.
Officer Reynolds photographed everything*For Marcus. Open this when you finally know who Lily is.*
My hands shook.
Officer Reynolds photographed everything before allowing me to open it.
Inside were three objects.
A hospital bracelet.
A photograph.
And a letter.
The photograph showed Nia before allowing me to open it.
Inside were three objects.
A hospital bracelet.
A photograph.
And a letter.
The photograph showed Nia sitting on a hospital bed with two newborn babies.
One rested in her arms.
The other lay beside her.
She was smiling.
But sitting on a hospital bed with two newborn babies.
One rested in her arms.
The other lay beside her.
She was smiling.
But her eyes were swollen from crying.
On the back, she had written:
**The day I became a mother twice. her eyes were swollen from crying.
On the back, she had written:
*The day I became a mother twice.*
I opened the letter.
Marcus,
If you've found this, then the truth has finally caught up with us.
I need you to understand something before you judge me.
I did not give*
I opened the letter.
Marcus,
If you've found this, then the truth has finally caught up with us.
I need you to understand something before you judge me.
I did not give birth to Lily.
I knew that from the beginning.
But I was there when she took her first breath. I held her when birth to Lily.
I knew that from the beginning.
But I was there when she took her first breath. I held her when she cried. I watched her learn to walk. I listened to her call me Mommy.
And I loved her with everything I had.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
she cried. I watched her learn to walk. I listened to her call me Mommy.
And I loved her with everything I had.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
Rebecca was my friend long before she became your father's secret.
She trusted me because she knew ThomasRebecca was my friend long before she became your father's secret.
She trusted me because she knew Thomas would never put the girls' happiness before his own survival.
When she died, I promised her I would keep both daughters safe.
I would never put the girls' happiness before his own survival.
When she died, I promised her I would keep both daughters safe.
I failed at the first promise.
I could not keep them together.
But I never stopped trying to bring them back to each other.
My failed at the first promise.*
I could not keep them together.
But I never stopped trying to bring them back to each other.
My eyes moved down the page.
Marcus, there is something else.
*Vanessa knows eyes moved down the page.
Marcus, there is something else.
Vanessa knows she has a sister.
I froze.
Officer Reynolds leaned closer.
I she has a sister.*
I froze.
Officer Reynolds leaned closer.
I continued reading.
*She found out two years ago. She approached me at the hospital and told me she wanted to meet continued reading.
She found out two years ago. She approached me at the hospital and told me she wanted to meet Lily.
At first, I believed her.
She cried when I showed her the photographs. She asked about Lily's favorite food Lily.
At first, I believed her.
She cried when I showed her the photographs. She asked about Lily's favorite food, her school, her birthday.
I thought she wanted to know her sister.
Then she asked whether Lily, her school, her birthday.
I thought she wanted to know her sister.
Then she asked whether Lily would inherit our house.
I closed my eyes.
I realized Vanessa wasn't looking for a family. would inherit our house.
I closed my eyes.
I realized Vanessa wasn't looking for a family. She was looking for what she believed had been taken from her.
I refused to let her use Lily.
After that, the threats began.
I She was looking for what she believed had been taken from her.*
I refused to let her use Lily.
After that, the threats began.
I looked up.
"She threatened Nia?""
Officer Reynolds nodded for me to continue.
*She told me that looked up.
"She threatened Nia?""
Officer Reynolds nodded for me to continue.
She told me that Thomas had promised her everything. She said Lily had been given the life that should have belonged to her.
She Thomas had promised her everything. She said Lily had been given the life that should have belonged to her.
She also told me something I didn't understand until recently.
She believes Lily was the child also told me something I didn't understand until recently.
She believes Lily was the child Thomas intended to raise.
I looked at the hospital bracelet inside the box.
The original number was stamped into the metal clasp Thomas intended to raise.*
I looked at the hospital bracelet inside the box.
The original number was stamped into the metal clasp.
But Nia had written something underneath it.
**DNA CONFIRMED — LILY:.
But Nia had written something underneath it.
*DNA CONFIRMED — LILY: REBECCA'S BIOLOGICAL DAUGHTER.*
My knees weakened.
Nia had already known.
The hospital records weren't enough REBECCA'S BIOLOGICAL DAUGHTER.**
My knees weakened.
Nia had already known.
The hospital records weren't enough.
She had obtained a DNA test.
I kept reading.
*Marcus, you are Lily's father.
She had obtained a DNA test.
I kept reading.
Marcus, you are Lily's father in every way that matters. But biologically, she is Rebecca and Thomas's daughter.
Vanessa is her in every way that matters. But biologically, she is Rebecca and Thomas's daughter.
Vanessa is her twin.
Thomas knows this. Vanessa knows this.
And now they want the inheritance.
I stopped.
The inheritance twin.*
Thomas knows this. Vanessa knows this.
And now they want the inheritance.
I stopped.
The inheritance.
The insurance money.
The house.
Everything.
But Nia had left something else.
A final paragraph.
*I changed.
The insurance money.
The house.
Everything.
But Nia had left something else.
A final paragraph.
I changed the insurance beneficiary to Lily because I knew Thomas would eventually come for her. I also left the original adoption agreement the insurance beneficiary to Lily because I knew Thomas would eventually come for her. I also left the original adoption agreement with Robert.
The second agreement is the important one.
It contains the name of the family who raised Vanessa.
with Robert.
The second agreement is the important one.
It contains the name of the family who raised Vanessa.
Please find them.
Because I believe Vanessa was told a lie about who abandoned her.
I loweredPlease find them.*
Because I believe Vanessa was told a lie about who abandoned her.
I lowered the letter.
Officer Reynolds looked at me.
"There's more?""
I nodded.
I turned over the photograph.
On the back, beneath Nia's handwriting, was an the letter.
Officer Reynolds looked at me.
"There's more?""
I nodded.
I turned over the photograph.
On the back, beneath Nia's handwriting, was an address.
A residential address in Pennsylvania.
And a name.
*David and Margaret Price.*
Van address.
A residential address in Pennsylvania.
And a name.
*David and Margaret Price.*
Vanessa's adoptive parents.
Robert answered on the first ring.
"Marcus?""
"I found Nessa's adoptive parents.
Robert answered on the first ring.
"Marcus?""
"I found Nia's letter.""
His voice changed.
"Where are you?""
"At the cemetery. I need the original adoption agreement.""
"I haveia's letter.""
His voice changed.
"Where are you?""
"At the cemetery. I need the original adoption agreement.""
"I have it.""
"Then tell me something. Who raised Vanessa?""
"David and Margaret Price.""
"Did it.""
"Then tell me something. Who raised Vanessa?""
"David and Margaret Price.""
"Did they know she was adopted?""
"Yes.""
"Did they know she had a twin sister?""
Robert paused.
"No. At least, that's what the original they know she was adopted?""
"Yes.""
"Did they know she had a twin sister?""
Robert paused.
"No. At least, that's what the original paperwork indicates.""
I looked at the address.
"Nia wanted me to contact them.""
"I'll send you their number.""
Before paperwork indicates.""
I looked at the address.
"Nia wanted me to contact them.""
"I'll send you their number.""
Before he could continue, Officer Reynolds took my phone.
"Robert, this is Officer Reynolds. I need you to preserve every document related to the he could continue, Officer Reynolds took my phone.
"Robert, this is Officer Reynolds. I need you to preserve every document related to the Carter family adoption arrangements.""
"Of course.""
"And don't release anything to Vanessa or Thomas.""
Carter family adoption arrangements.""
"Of course.""
"And don't release anything to Vanessa or Thomas.""
Robert hesitated.
"Officer, there's something you should know.""
"What?""
"Vanessa has already contacted my office.""
My stomachRobert hesitated.
"Officer, there's something you should know.""
"What?""
"Vanessa has already contacted my office.""
My stomach tightened.
"When?""
"Yesterday.""
"What did she want?""
"She asked whether Nia had left a separate will for Lily.""
Officer Reynolds looked at tightened.
"When?""
"Yesterday.""
"What did she want?""
"She asked whether Nia had left a separate will for Lily.""
Officer Reynolds looked at me.
Robert continued.
"She also asked whether Marcus had any legal authority over the child if he wasn't her me.
Robert continued.
"She also asked whether Marcus had any legal authority over the child if he wasn't her biological father.""
My grip tightened.
"She wants custody?""
"I believe so.""
I looked toward Nia's grave.
She had been right.
Van biological father.""
My grip tightened.
"She wants custody?""
"I believe so.""
I looked toward Nia's grave.
She had been right.
Vanessa wasn't simply after the money.
She wanted Lily.
The following morning, I called David Price.
He answered withessa wasn't simply after the money.
She wanted Lily.
The following morning, I called David Price.
He answered with a cautious hello.
"My name is Marcus Carter. I'm calling about Vanessa.""
Silence.
Then he said, "Has a cautious hello.
"My name is Marcus Carter. I'm calling about Vanessa.""
Silence.
Then he said, "Has something happened to our daughter?""
The word hit me unexpectedly.
Our daughter.
Not Thomas's daughter.
Not Rebecca something happened to our daughter?""
The word hit me unexpectedly.
Our daughter.
Not Thomas's daughter.
Not Rebecca's daughter.
Their daughter.
"She's missing," I replied.
David's breathing changed.
"Missing?""
"She's been involved's daughter.
Their daughter.
"She's missing," I replied.
David's breathing changed.
"Missing?""
"She's been involved in an investigation involving my wife's death.""
He didn't speak.
I continued.
"I think you deserve to know why in an investigation involving my wife's death.""
He didn't speak.
I continued.
"I think you deserve to know why.""
An hour later, I was sitting in the living room of a modest house in Pennsylvania.
Margaret Price opened the door.
She was a.""
An hour later, I was sitting in the living room of a modest house in Pennsylvania.
Margaret Price opened the door.
She was a small woman with silver hair and tired eyes.
The moment she saw me, she began crying.
"Oh, Marcus.""
I frowned.
"Have we small woman with silver hair and tired eyes.
The moment she saw me, she began crying.
"Oh, Marcus.""
I frowned.
"Have we met?""
She shook her head.
"No. But Vanessa has shown me pictures of you.""
David stood behind her.
He looked met?""
She shook her head.
"No. But Vanessa has shown me pictures of you.""
David stood behind her.
He looked uncomfortable.
"Come inside.""
They led me to a small living room.
Family photographs covered the walls.
Van uncomfortable.
"Come inside.""
They led me to a small living room.
Family photographs covered the walls.
Vanessa at five years old.
Vanessa on her first day of school.
Vanessa in a graduation gown.
A photograph of her weddingessa at five years old.
Vanessa on her first day of school.
Vanessa in a graduation gown.
A photograph of her wedding day.
She looked happy.
Nothing like the woman who had stood in my front yard, throwing away Nia's belongings.
Margaret placed a cup of tea day.
She looked happy.
Nothing like the woman who had stood in my front yard, throwing away Nia's belongings.
Margaret placed a cup of tea in front of me.
"She told us about Lily.""
"What did she say?""
"That she had found in front of me.
"She told us about Lily.""
"What did she say?""
"That she had found her biological family.""
"And?""
Margaret's eyes filled.
"She said her birth mother her biological family.""
"And?""
Margaret's eyes filled.
"She said her birth mother had abandoned her.""
I stared at her.
"That's not true.""
David leaned forward.
"That's what we suspected.""
had abandoned her.""
I stared at her.
"That's not true.""
David leaned forward.
"That's what we suspected.""
He opened a drawer and removed an old envelope.
Inside were adoption papers.
The original placement agreement.
But there was anotherHe opened a drawer and removed an old envelope.
Inside were adoption papers.
The original placement agreement.
But there was another document.
A letter from Rebecca Miller.
Margaret handed it to me.
"Vanessa found this among her belongings two years ago. She became obsessed with it.""
I document.
A letter from Rebecca Miller.
Margaret handed it to me.
"Vanessa found this among her belongings two years ago. She became obsessed with it.""
I unfolded the paper.
To the people who raise my daughter,
I don't know your names, and I may never get to meet you.
*But I need unfolded the paper.
To the people who raise my daughter,
I don't know your names, and I may never get to meet you.
But I need you to know that my daughter was never unwanted.
She has a twin sister. I hope they meet one day.
Please tell her she was you to know that my daughter was never unwanted.
She has a twin sister. I hope they meet one day.
Please tell her she was loved before she was born.
And please don't let anyone convince her that she was abandoned.
I stared at the final line loved before she was born.*
And please don't let anyone convince her that she was abandoned.
I stared at the final line.
Margaret wiped her cheeks.
"Vanessa read that letter dozens of times.""
"Why didn't she believe.
Margaret wiped her cheeks.
"Vanessa read that letter dozens of times.""
"Why didn't she believe it?""
David answered.
"Because someone told her the letter was fake.""
"Who?""
He looked at me.
"Thomas Carter.""
My stomach tightened it?""
David answered.
"Because someone told her the letter was fake.""
"Who?""
He looked at me.
"Thomas Carter.""
My stomach tightened.
"How did he contact her?""
"About two years ago. He came to our house and told her that her.
"How did he contact her?""
"About two years ago. He came to our house and told her that her biological family wanted nothing to do with her.""
I thought about Vanessa working in my office.
Her arrival.
biological family wanted nothing to do with her.""
I thought about Vanessa working in my office.
Her arrival.
Her sudden closeness to Nia.
Her growing interest in our finances.
"He told her I was supposed to raise her?""
David nodded.
"HeHer sudden closeness to Nia.
Her growing interest in our finances.
"He told her I was supposed to raise her?""
David nodded.
"He said you were given the wrong baby. He promised to help her reclaim her rightful place in the family.""
I looked down at Rebecca's letter.
"Did he tell her anything said you were given the wrong baby. He promised to help her reclaim her rightful place in the family.""
I looked down at Rebecca's letter.
"Did he tell her anything about Lily?""
"He told her Lily had stolen her life.""
I felt anger rise through my chest.
"He made her believe that?""
"Yes.""
Margaret reached about Lily?""
"He told her Lily had stolen her life.""
I felt anger rise through my chest.
"He made her believe that?""
"Yes.""
Margaret reached across the table.
"Marcus, I know what Vanessa has done. I know about the money. I know about the accusations.""
She began crying.
"But she across the table.
"Marcus, I know what Vanessa has done. I know about the money. I know about the accusations.""
She began crying.
"But she was our little girl. We raised her. We loved her. And when Thomas appeared, he made her believe everything we had given was our little girl.
We raised her. We loved her. And when Thomas appeared, he made her believe everything we had given her was a lie.""
I looked at the family photographs.
For the first time, I understood something.
Vanessa hadn't simply her was a lie.""
I looked at the family photographs.
For the first time, I understood something.
Vanessa hadn't simply been manipulated by Thomas.
She had chosen to believe the story that made her feel entitled to everything.
And she had allowed that belief to turn been manipulated by Thomas.
She had chosen to believe the story that made her feel entitled to everything.
And she had allowed that belief to turn her against the people who had never harmed her.
My phone vibrated.
Officer Reynolds.
I answered.
"Marcus, we found her against the people who had never harmed her.
My phone vibrated.
Officer Reynolds.
I answered.
"Marcus, we found Thomas.""
"Where?""
"At an airport hotel. We're bringing him in.""
"And Vanessa Thomas.""
"Where?""
"At an airport hotel. We're bringing him in.""
"And Vanessa?""
"She's with him.""
I stood.
"Can I speak to her?""
"Not yet.""
Then he added:
"There's something else. We searched Thomas's vehicle.""
"What did you find?""
"A second passport. Several thousand dollars in cash. And a folder containing documents about Lily.""
My stomach tightened.
"What documents?""
Officer Reynolds lowered his voice.
"A custody petition.""
I gripped the phone.
"Who filed it?""
"Vanessa.""
I closed my eyes.
Then he said something I would never forget.
"Marcus, the petition claims you've been concealing Lily's true identity and that you have no biological relationship to her.""
I looked at Margaret?""
"She's with him.""
I stood.
"Can I speak to her?""
"Not yet.""
Then he added:
"There's something else. We searched Thomas's vehicle.""
"What did you find?""
"A second passport. Several thousand dollars in cash. And a folder containing documents about Lily.""
My stomach tightened.
"What documents?""
Officer Reynolds lowered his voice.
"A custody petition.""
I gripped the phone.
"Who filed it?""
"Vanessa.""
I closed my eyes.
Then he said something I would never forget.
"Marcus, the petition claims you've been concealing Lily's true identity and that you have no biological relationship to her.""
I looked at Margaret and David.
They were watching me.
I took a deep breath.
"Then we'll prove who raised her.""
Officer Reynolds hesitated and David.
They were watching me.
I took a deep breath.
"Then we'll prove who raised her.""
Officer Reynolds hesitated.
"There's one more problem.""
"What?""
"The petition was filed yesterday.""
"And?""
"Someone has already obtained an emergency.
"There's one more problem.""
"What?""
"The petition was filed yesterday.""
"And?""
"Someone has already obtained an emergency hearing.""
I felt my blood turn cold.
"When?""
"Tomorrow morning.""
And suddenly, I understood why Vanessa hearing.""
I felt my blood turn cold.
"When?""
"Tomorrow morning.""
And suddenly, I understood why Vanessa had been so desperate to find Lily.
She wasn't planning to take my daughter someday.
She was planning to take her the very next had been so desperate to find Lily.
May you like
She wasn't planning to take my daughter someday.
She was planning to take her the very next morning.
