Chapter 5: The Hospital Room Confession
Eleanor was awake when we returned to the hospital.
She was sitting upright, sipping water through a straw while a nurse checked her blood pressure.
When Nathaniel entered, she smiled weakly.
“There's my stubborn boy.””
He bent down and kissed her forehead.
“Don't ever scare me like that again.””
Eleanor gave him a tired smile.
“I'll try not to make a habit of falling off rooftops.””
Nathaniel didn't laugh.
“Mom, we found the letter.””
Her smile disappeared.
“Which letter?””
“The one Dad left in his study. The trust documents. The photograph of you with Victoria and Adrian.””
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“I was afraid you'd find it.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I didn't have enough proof.””
“You could have trusted me.””
“I did trust you, Nathaniel. I didn't trust the people standing beside you.””
He pulled a chair closer.
“Tell me what happened.””
Eleanor glanced toward the door.
“Is Rose here?””
I stepped forward.
“Yes, ma'am.””
She reached for my hand.
“Please stay.””
Nathaniel looked at her.
“Mom, what does Rose have to do with this?””
“More than you realize.””
I sat beside her.
Eleanor took a slow breath.
“Three months ago, I noticed unusual transfers from your father's trust. Small amounts at first. Then larger ones. Someone was moving money through companies that didn't exist.””
Nathaniel frowned.
“Why didn't the auditors catch it?””
“Because the person responsible had access to the original records.””
“Adrian?””
“Adrian was helping. But he wasn't the only one.””
Nathaniel leaned closer.
“Victoria?””
Eleanor nodded.
“She approached me shortly after you introduced her to the family. She asked questions about your father's estate, the trust, and the old company shares.””
“I thought she was simply curious.””
“So did I. Until she began asking about the second trust.””
Nathaniel's face hardened.
“What exactly does the second trust contain?””
Eleanor looked toward me.
“Your father placed something very important inside it. Something that could destroy several powerful people if it became public.””
“What?””
“A controlling interest in Callaway Holdings.””
Nathaniel blinked.
“That's impossible. I own the controlling shares.””
“You own the voting shares of the current company. The second trust holds the original controlling interest, including certain rights your father reserved.””
Nathaniel stood.
“Then why didn't I know?””
“Because your father believed the company would eventually become dangerous to you.””
Eleanor paused.
“He wanted to make sure that if you ever married someone who was interested in your fortune rather than you, that person couldn't take everything.””
Nathaniel looked down at the floor.
“And Victoria found out.””
“She found out that the trust would transfer its controlling interest to its named beneficiary when the conditions were met.””
“Who is the beneficiary?””
Eleanor didn't answer.
Instead, she looked at me.
“Rose, do you remember the small silver locket I gave you last Christmas?””
I nodded.
“Yes, ma'am.””
I had kept it in my bedside drawer for months. It was an unusual gift, engraved with a tiny tree and the initials E.C.
Eleanor had told me it belonged to someone she loved.
I had never asked more.
“Did you bring it with you?””
I frowned.
“No. It's at the house.””
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“I should have told you sooner.””
Nathaniel looked between us.
“Mom, what are you talking about?””
Eleanor's fingers trembled.
“Rose isn't just an employee, Nathaniel.””
I felt my heart begin to pound.
“Mrs. Callaway?””
She turned toward me.
“Your mother was my closest friend.””
The room seemed to tilt.
“My mother?””
Eleanor nodded.
“Her name was Catherine Bennett. She worked for your father many years ago. Before she died, she made me promise to protect you.””
I shook my head.
“My mother died when I was six.””
“I know.””
“She was a receptionist at a law office. That's what I was told.””
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
“That was only part of her story.””
Nathaniel looked stunned.
“Mom, are you saying Rose is connected to Dad's business?””
Eleanor nodded.
“Catherine discovered that several executives were stealing from the company. She collected evidence and helped your father protect the original trust.””
I stared at her.
“Why didn't anyone tell me?””
“Because the people involved believed your mother had taken copies of those documents. They threatened her. She was frightened for you.””
I felt sick.
“My mother never mentioned any of this.””
“She wanted you to have a normal life.””
Eleanor squeezed my hand.
“And when she died, I promised I would keep you safe.””
Nathaniel slowly sat down.
“Are you telling me Rose is the second beneficiary?””
Eleanor nodded.
“Your father named Catherine's daughter as the secondary beneficiary. If the family trust was compromised, she would inherit the protected controlling interest.””
I couldn't speak.
The woman I'd served for two years had apparently been protecting me from something I didn't even know existed.
But one question kept burning in my mind.
“Why did you give me that locket?””
Eleanor's eyes shifted toward Nathaniel.
“Because it contains the key.””
Nathaniel frowned.
“The key to what?””
“The original evidence your father left behind.””
She reached toward the bedside table and opened a small drawer.
Inside was a folded photograph.
She handed it to me.
It showed a younger version of my mother standing beside Edward Callaway.
On the back, my mother's handwriting read:
For Rose, when the time comes.
My hands began shaking.
Eleanor whispered, “Your mother didn't leave you with nothing. She left you with the truth.””
Nathaniel took the photograph.
“Where is the key?””
“In the locket.””
I stared at her.
“The locket I left at the estate?””
She nodded.
“Victoria knows about it. That's why she searched your room last night.””
My blood turned cold.
“What?””
Eleanor looked directly into my eyes.
“She believes you have something that belongs to her.””
Nathaniel immediately stood.
“Marcus!””
The security director entered.
“Sir?””
“Get someone to Rose's room. Retrieve her belongings. Nobody touches anything.””
Marcus nodded and left.
But before Nathaniel could speak again, my phone vibrated.
A message from Daniel's rehabilitation center.
Miss Bennett, your brother has requested to speak with you urgently.
I called immediately.
A nurse answered.
“Rose? I'm glad you called.””
“Is Daniel all right?””
There was a pause.
“Physically, yes. But someone visited him this morning.””
“Who?””
“A woman. She said she was your sister.””
My heart stopped.
“I don't have a sister.””
The nurse lowered her voice.
“She left something for him. He became very upset after reading it.””
“What did she leave?””
“A photograph.””
“What photograph?””
The nurse hesitated.
“Your mother. Standing beside a man we've identified as Edward Callaway.””
I stared at Nathaniel.
He had heard every word.
Then the nurse said:
“Rose, there's something else. Your brother insists that the woman who visited him was the same person who came to see your mother before she died.””
My knees nearly gave way.
Because I had never told anyone what my mother said in her final hours.
May you like
She had whispered one name.
Victoria.
