Chapter 9: The Sister I Never Knew Existed
My mother couldn't stop crying.
We were back inside David's car, parked beside a deserted gas station.
The engine was running.
The heater was on.
But I could barely feel my hands.
"Tell me everything," I said.
My mother stared at the dashboard.
"Sophie was born when you were twelve. Your father wanted to keep her away from the company. He said she deserved a childhood that had nothing to do with Carter Global.""
I swallowed.
"Why didn't I know about her?""
"You did.""
I turned toward her.
"What?""
"You held her when she was three weeks old. You used to sing to her.""
A memory surfaced.
A tiny hand gripping my finger.
A pink blanket.
A soft voice telling me to be careful because I was holding something precious.
I had always believed it was a dream.
My mother continued.
"James discovered she existed. He realized your father would do anything to protect her. So he used her as leverage.""
"Did he kidnap her?""
"Not immediately. At first, he convinced your father that she needed special protection. He arranged for her to stay at a private residence outside the city.""
"And then?""
"One morning, the house was empty. The nanny had disappeared. Sophie was gone.""
I stared at her.
"Why didn't you call the police?""
"We did. But the report was buried. James had people inside the department.""
"And you disappeared?""
"I tried to find her. Your father stayed behind to keep the company running and gather evidence.""
I looked out the window.
"All these years...""
My mother nodded.
"He never stopped looking.""
I remembered the letter.
The final recording.
The old photographs.
My father had been trying to tell me something.
"Did he ever find her?""
My mother hesitated.
"Three weeks before he died, he received a photograph.""
"Of Sophie?""
She nodded.
She opened her handbag and removed a small envelope.
Inside was a photograph of a young woman.
She appeared to be in her early twenties, with dark hair and a small birthmark beneath her left eye.
She was standing outside a university building.
On the back was a handwritten message.
I know who I am now.
I stared at the picture.
"How old is she?""
"Twenty-three.""
I looked at my mother.
"She's my age?""
"You're thirty-five. She's twenty-three.""
I calculated the years.
Twelve.
The same age I'd been when she was born.
I looked at the photograph again.
"Who sent this?""
"Your father received it from an anonymous account.""
"Do you know where she is?""
My mother shook her head.
"No. But I know who might.""
"Who?""
"Laura Bennett.""
I looked up.
"Laura is missing.""
"Not necessarily.""
My mother reached into her coat and removed another phone.
"Your father had a second contact inside Carter Global. Laura was the only person who knew about Sophie's location.""
I immediately called the number.
It rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then a woman's voice answered.
"Hello?""
"Laura?""
Silence.
"Marcus?""
"Where are you?""
"I can't tell you.""
"Are you safe?""
She gave a nervous laugh.
"Not really.""
I closed my eyes.
"We know about Sophie.""
A long pause followed.
Then Laura whispered:
"Your father told you?""
"Not directly. My mother did.""
"Is Eleanor with you?""
"Yes.""
I heard Laura exhale.
"Then I need to tell you something. Your sister is closer than you think.""
I looked at the photograph.
"What does that mean?""
"She works for Carter Global.""
I stared at the phone.
"What?""
"She's been working in the legal department for eight months. Her name is Sophie Bennett.""
My mother covered her mouth.
"That's impossible.""
Laura continued.
"James arranged for her to be adopted under another name. He made sure she received an education and a position where he could monitor her.""
"Does she know who she is?""
"She found out recently. That's why she contacted your father.""
My heart began pounding.
"Where is she now?""
"At the headquarters.""
I looked toward David.
"Turn the car around.""
David accelerated.
Laura's voice became urgent.
"Marcus, listen to me. There's something else.""
"What?""
"Your sister has been working with Vanessa.""
I froze.
"Why?""
"Because Vanessa promised to help her find her biological parents.""
I looked at my mother.
Her face had gone pale.
Laura continued.
"But Vanessa has been using her to access your father's private records.""
"Does Sophie know?""
"I don't think so.""
I gripped the phone.
"Then we need to get her out.""
"Marcus, you don't understand. Sophie has already found something.""
"What?""
Laura took a shaky breath.
"She found the original document showing who authorized your father's death.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"Who signed it?""
Laura didn't answer immediately.
Then she whispered:
"Your mother.""
I turned slowly.
My mother was staring straight ahead.
"Mom?""
She began shaking her head.
"That's not what happened.""
Laura's voice continued through the phone.
"The document carries Eleanor Carter's signature. And there is a recording of her meeting with Richard the night your father died.""
My mother reached for the phone.
"Laura, stop.""
I pulled it away.
"Mom, is it true?""
She looked at me.
Tears ran down her face.
"I signed the document.""
The car went silent.
David slowed at a red light.
I couldn't understand what I was hearing.
"What document?""
"The one that authorized the transfer of your father's shares.""
"Why?""
"Because James threatened Sophie.""
"That doesn't explain why Dad died.""
My mother looked at me.
"I didn't know Richard was going to poison him.""
I felt the world shift beneath my feet.
"You knew about the plan?""
"I thought they were going to force him to resign. I thought he would be allowed to leave.""
"You signed the document that started all this?""
"I was trying to save your sister!""
I stepped away from her.
"Don't use her to justify this.""
She covered her face.
Then my phone vibrated again.
This time, the message came from Sophie.
An unknown number.
Marcus Carter?
I stared at it.
Another message arrived.
I think you're my brother.
My hands trembled.
I typed back.
Yes. Where are you?
Her response came immediately.
Thirty-second floor. Conference Room A.
Then:
Vanessa is here.
And finally:
She's just shown me a document proving you murdered our father.
I stood.
"David, faster.""
My mother grabbed my arm.
"Marcus, wait.""
I looked at her.
"What now?""
She was crying.
"Your sister doesn't know the truth about her birth. James told her your father abandoned her.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"Then I'll tell her.""
My mother shook her head desperately.
"No. You don't understand. Sophie has something James wants more than the company.""
"What?""
She looked directly into my eyes.
"The original recording of your father's final moments.""
My phone rang.
Sophie's name appeared on the screen.
I answered immediately.
"Sophie?""
Her voice was shaking.
"Marcus, I think I made a terrible mistake.""
"What happened?""
"Vanessa just told me that my real father wasn't your father.""
I stopped breathing.
"What?""
She began crying.
"She says my father was James Carter.""
Then I heard a door slam on her end.
A man's voice shouted.
May you like
"Give me the recording, Sophie!""
And my sister screamed my name.
