Chapter 13: The Girl Who## Chapter 13: The Girl Who Was Never Supposed to Survive
The old Bennett estate had been empty for almost twelve years.
My grandmother had lived Was Never Supposed to Survive
The old Bennett estate had been empty for almost twelve years.
My grandmother had lived there until her death, and afterward Charles had kept the property locked, claiming it was too expensive to maintain.
Now, according to Richard, he there until her death, and afterward Charles had kept the property locked, claiming it was too expensive to maintain.
Now, according to Richard, he was inside.
And Natalie was somewhere with him.
I drove through the rain with my mother in the passenger seat and Lily sitting behind us. Grace had wanted was inside.
And Natalie was somewhere with him.
I drove through the rain with my mother in the passenger seat and Lily sitting behind us. Grace had wanted to come, but Lily refused to leave her alone again.
I understood.
We had spent enough years losing people.
“Matthew,” Mom said quietly, “when we get there, let me speak first.””
I kept my eyes on the road.
“Why?””
“Because whatever Natalie knows, Charles will to come, but Lily refused to leave her alone again.
I understood.
We had spent enough years losing people.
“Matthew,” Mom said quietly, “when we get there, let me speak first.””
I kept my eyes on the road.
“Why?””
“Because whatever Natalie knows, Charles will try to make her afraid.””
“I'm done letting him frighten people.””
Mom looked out the window.
“You sound like your father.””
I didn't answer try to make her afraid.””
“I'm done letting him frighten people.””
Mom looked out the window.
“You sound like your father.””
I didn't answer.
I wasn't sure whether that was a compliment anymore.
The estate appeared through the trees just after nine.
Its stone exterior was almost completely dark. Only one upstairs window was illuminated.
I parked beside the old fountain.
Richard's car was already there.
The front door stood open.
“Stay behind me,” I told Mom.
She ignored me.
We entered together.
The hallway smelled of damp wood and.
I wasn't sure whether that was a compliment anymore.
The estate appeared through the trees just after nine.
Its stone exterior was almost completely dark. Only one upstairs window was illuminated.
I parked beside the old fountain.
Richard's car was already there.
The front door stood open.
“Stay behind me,” I told Mom.
She ignored me.
We entered together.
The hallway smelled of damp wood and old furniture. A grandfather clock stood against the wall, its hands frozen at 11:17.
I remembered that clock.
My grandmother used to wind it every Sunday.
At the bottom of the staircase, a photograph hung crookedly.
It showed four adults standing outside the hospital.
Margaret.
Daniel.
Charles.
And Patricia.
I stopped.
Something was written on the back of the frame.
*November 4, 199 old furniture. A grandfather clock stood against the wall, its hands frozen at 11:17.
I remembered that clock.
My grandmother used to wind it every Sunday.
At the bottom of the staircase, a photograph hung crookedly.
It showed four adults standing outside the hospital.
Margaret.
Daniel.
Charles.
And Patricia.
I stopped.
Something was written on the back of the frame.
November 4, 1993. The day everything changed.
A voice came from the drawing room.
“You're late, Matthew.””
Charles stepped into the doorway.
He wasn't wearing his usual suit. His tie was loosened, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up.
Richard stood behind him.
His lip was bleeding.
“Where's3. The day everything changed.*
A voice came from the drawing room.
“You're late, Matthew.””
Charles stepped into the doorway.
He wasn't wearing his usual suit. His tie was loosened, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up.
Richard stood behind him.
His lip was bleeding.
“Where's Natalie?”” I demanded.
Charles smiled.
“Always asking questions. You should have learned by now that some answers are dangerous.””
Mom stepped forward.
“Where is she?””
Charles glanced at her.
“Still giving orders, Evelyn?””
“Where is my granddaughter?””
For a moment, his expression changed.
Then he laughed.
“Your granddaughter? Which one?””
Natalie?”” I demanded.
Charles smiled.
“Always asking questions. You should have learned by now that some answers are dangerous.””
Mom stepped forward.
“Where is she?””
Charles glanced at her.
“Still giving orders, Evelyn?””
“Where is my granddaughter?””
For a moment, his expression changed.
Then he laughed.
“Your granddaughter? Which one?””
Mom slapped him.
He caught her wrist.
I moved immediately.
“Let her go.””
Charles released her.
“Your father had the same temper,” he said to me.
“It got him killed.””
I stepped toward him.
“Tell me whatMom slapped him.
He caught her wrist.
I moved immediately.
“Let her go.””
Charles released her.
“Your father had the same temper,” he said to me.
“It got him killed.””
I stepped toward him.
“Tell me what happened in the hospital.””
His smile disappeared.
“Margaret made a mistake.””
“What mistake?””
“She believed she could rearrange people's lives like furniture. She thought switching the babies would protect everyone.””
Mom's voice trembled.
“You knew?””
Charles looked at her.
“I knew everything.””
Richard stepped happened in the hospital.””
His smile disappeared.
“Margaret made a mistake.””
“What mistake?””
“She believed she could rearrange people's lives like furniture. She thought switching the babies would protect everyone.””
Mom's voice trembled.
“You knew?””
Charles looked at her.
“I knew everything.””
Richard stepped forward.
“Then explain Elizabeth.””
Charles turned toward him.
“Elizabeth was never supposed to exist.””
The words silenced the room.
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?””
He walked toward the fireplace.
“Patricia had a difficult pregnancy. The doctors warned her that the baby might not survive. forward.
“Then explain Elizabeth.””
Charles turned toward him.
“Elizabeth was never supposed to exist.””
The words silenced the room.
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?””
He walked toward the fireplace.
“Patricia had a difficult pregnancy. The doctors warned her that the baby might not survive. Margaret used that information to create an opportunity.””
He looked at Mom.
“She told Evelyn that one of the babies had died.””
Mom shook her head.
“No.””
“Your little Anna. You were told she died. But Margaret had already arranged for her to be raised elsewhere.””
“Why?””
Charles smiled without warmth.
“Because Anna was my daughter.””
Mom staggered.
He continued.
“Daniel knew Margaret used that information to create an opportunity.””
He looked at Mom.
“She told Evelyn that one of the babies had died.””
Mom shook her head.
“No.””
“Your little Anna. You were told she died. But Margaret had already arranged for her to be raised elsewhere.””
“Why?””
Charles smiled without warmth.
“Because Anna was my daughter.””
Mom staggered.
He continued.
“Daniel knew. He had discovered the affair before the children were born. He wanted to expose everything. Margaret believed that if Anna disappeared, the scandal would disappear with her.””
I looked at the photograph on the wall.
“And Vanessa?””
“Daniel's daughter.””
The answer confirmed what Reed had told us.
But Charles wasn't finished.
“Patricia was furious when she discovered the switch. She wanted her biological daughter back. Margaret refused. So Patricia made another.
He had discovered the affair before the children were born. He wanted to expose everything. Margaret believed that if Anna disappeared, the scandal would disappear with her.””
I looked at the photograph on the wall.
“And Vanessa?””
“Daniel's daughter.””
The answer confirmed what Reed had told us.
But Charles wasn't finished.
“Patricia was furious when she discovered the switch. She wanted her biological daughter back. Margaret refused. So Patricia made another arrangement.””
“Elizabeth,” I said.
Charles nodded.
“She was placed with another family. Natalie was the name they gave her.””
“Why did Margaret say Elizabeth was supposed to die?””
Charles looked directly at me.
“Because Elizabeth was the child Patricia originally wanted removed.””
Mom covered her mouth.
I felt arrangement.””
“Elizabeth,” I said.
Charles nodded.
“She was placed with another family. Natalie was the name they gave her.””
“Why did Margaret say Elizabeth was supposed to die?””
Charles looked directly at me.
“Because Elizabeth was the child Patricia originally wanted removed.””
Mom covered her mouth.
I felt sick.
“Who wanted her dead?””
Charles didn't answer.
Then a voice came from the staircase.
“I did.””
Natalie appeared at the top.
She was holding a small leather book.
Her eyes were red.
She looked at me.
“Matthew, I'm sorry.””
I started toward her.
“Are you okay?””
She nodded.
sick.
“Who wanted her dead?””
Charles didn't answer.
Then a voice came from the staircase.
“I did.””
Natalie appeared at the top.
She was holding a small leather book.
Her eyes were red.
She looked at me.
“Matthew, I'm sorry.””
I started toward her.
“Are you okay?””
She nodded.
“I'm fine.””
Charles turned.
“Give me the book.””
Natalie stepped down one stair.
“No.””
His face hardened.
“Elizabeth, don't make this worse.””
She laughed bitterly.
“My name is Natalie.””
“Your name is whatever I say it“I'm fine.””
Charles turned.
“Give me the book.””
Natalie stepped down one stair.
“No.””
His face hardened.
“Elizabeth, don't make this worse.””
She laughed bitterly.
“My name is Natalie.””
“Your name is whatever I say it is.””
She opened the leather book.
“Not anymore.””
Inside were pages of handwritten notes, hospital records, and photographs.
She held up one page.
“Margaret wrote everything down. She documented the baby transfers, the payments, and the instructions she received from Charles.””
Charles is.””
She opened the leather book.
“Not anymore.””
Inside were pages of handwritten notes, hospital records, and photographs.
She held up one page.
“Margaret wrote everything down. She documented the baby transfers, the payments, and the instructions she received from Charles.””
Charles rushed toward her.
Richard blocked his path.
They collided against the staircase railing.
The leather book fell.
I grabbed it.
Charles shouted.
“Give that rushed toward her.
Richard blocked his path.
They collided against the staircase railing.
The leather book fell.
I grabbed it.
Charles shouted.
“Give that back!””
I opened the first page.
A handwritten entry was dated November 3, 1993.
Patricia delivered a healthy baby girl. Charles insists the child cannot remain in the family. He says the child will expose the affair and destroy his marriage.
I turned the page.
Another entry.
back!””
I opened the first page.
A handwritten entry was dated November 3, 1993.
Patricia delivered a healthy baby girl. Charles insists the child cannot remain in the family. He says the child will expose the affair and destroy his marriage.
I turned the page.
Another entry.
Daniel has agreed to help protect the child. Evelyn knows nothing. I have arranged for the infant to be transferred under a different identity.
Then came the next entry.
Charles has discovered the plan. He has threatened to expose Daniel's relationship with Patricia unless I give him control of the children.
I looked upDaniel has agreed to help protect the child. Evelyn knows nothing. I have arranged for the infant to be transferred under a different identity.
Then came the next entry.
Charles has discovered the plan. He has threatened to expose Daniel's relationship with Patricia unless I give him control of the children.
I looked up.
“You blackmailed your own mother?””
Charles struggled against Richard.
“She was a foolish old woman!””
Natalie stepped closer.
“Keep reading.””
I turned another page.
The final entry was dated November 18, 2000.
Daniel is dead. Charles believes the truth has died with him. But I have hidden the original hospital register. If Matthew ever finds it, he must understand that the child Charles wanted eliminated was not Elizabeth.
I stopped.
My.
“You blackmailed your own mother?””
Charles struggled against Richard.
“She was a foolish old woman!””
Natalie stepped closer.
“Keep reading.””
I turned another page.
The final entry was dated November 18, 2000.
Daniel is dead. Charles believes the truth has died with him. But I have hidden the original hospital register. If Matthew ever finds it, he must understand that the child Charles wanted eliminated was not Elizabeth.
I stopped.
My hands began shaking.
There was another paragraph.
It was Vanessa.
I looked at Charles.
He had stopped struggling.
Mom stared at the page.
“Why would he want his own daughter dead?””
Natalie answered.
“Because Vanessa wasn't his daughter. But he had told everyone she was.””
I turned toward her.
“What?””
She took a deep breath.
“Vanessa was Daniel's daughter, yes. But Charles had raised hands began shaking.
There was another paragraph.
It was Vanessa.
I looked at Charles.
He had stopped struggling.
Mom stared at the page.
“Why would he want his own daughter dead?””
Natalie answered.
“Because Vanessa wasn't his daughter. But he had told everyone she was.””
I turned toward her.
“What?””
She took a deep breath.
“Vanessa was Daniel's daughter, yes. But Charles had raised her as his own because he needed a way to control Daniel's estate. If Vanessa had died, the inheritance would have passed differently.””
Richard released Charles.
Charles stood silently.
I looked at him.
“You planned to kill a child for money?””
His eyes were cold.
“I planned to protect what belonged to me.””
Mom began crying.
Natalie held out another document.
“This her as his own because he needed a way to control Daniel's estate. If Vanessa had died, the inheritance would have passed differently.””
Richard released Charles.
Charles stood silently.
I looked at him.
“You planned to kill a child for money?””
His eyes were cold.
“I planned to protect what belonged to me.””
Mom began crying.
Natalie held out another document.
“This is the original hospital register. It proves everything.””
I took it.
Then I saw the final signature.
The person who had authorized the baby transfer was not Margaret.
It was Daniel.
My father had signed it.
I stared at the page.
“Why would Dad sign this?””
Natalie looked at me.
“Because he was trying to save someone.””
“Who?””
She pointed toward the staircase.
“Me.””
I looked at her.
She is the original hospital register. It proves everything.””
I took it.
Then I saw the final signature.
The person who had authorized the baby transfer was not Margaret.
It was Daniel.
My father had signed it.
I stared at the page.
“Why would Dad sign this?””
Natalie looked at me.
“Because he was trying to save someone.””
“Who?””
She pointed toward the staircase.
“Me.””
I looked at her.
She began crying.
“Daniel knew Charles was planning to get rid of me. He arranged for Margaret to move me somewhere safe. He also left instructions that I should inherit the shares belonging to his first daughter if began crying.
“Daniel knew Charles was planning to get rid of me. He arranged for Margaret to move me somewhere safe. He also left instructions that I should inherit the shares belonging to his first daughter if anything happened to him.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Which shares?””
Natalie pointed to the final page.
The trust.
The same trust Charles had been trying to control.
The primary beneficiary wasn't me.
It was Natalie.
My grandmother had hidden the truth about the inheritance too.
Before I could ask another question, Charles reached into his jacket.
Richard shouted.
“Don't!””
A metallic object fell onto the wooden floor.
A small silver key.
Natal anything happened to him.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Which shares?””
Natalie pointed to the final page.
The trust.
The same trust Charles had been trying to control.
The primary beneficiary wasn't me.
It was Natalie.
My grandmother had hidden the truth about the inheritance too.
Before I could ask another question, Charles reached into his jacket.
Richard shouted.
“Don't!””
A metallic object fell onto the wooden floor.
A small silver key.
Natalie looked at it.
Then her face went white.
“That's the key to the underground room.””
Mom turned toward her.
“What underground room?””
Natalie swallowed.
“The room where Patricia kept the original recordings.””
Charles lunged for the key.
I reached it first.
He stopped.
ie looked at it.
Then her face went white.
“That's the key to the underground room.””
Mom turned toward her.
“What underground room?””
Natalie swallowed.
“The room where Patricia kept the original recordings.””
Charles lunged for the key.
I reached it first.
He stopped.
For the first time, my uncle looked genuinely afraid.
And then Natalie whispered:
“There's a recording of the night Daniel died.””
May you like
She looked at Charles.
“And the person who made it is still alive.””
