Chapter 18: The Truth Hidden in Lily’s Name
Nobody spoke after Zoe’s words.
The account was created when Lily was born.
That sentence changed everything.
I looked at Ethan.
“You knew?””
His face went pale.
“No.””
“You’re sure?””
“Yes.””
Vanessa looked confused.
“That’s impossible.””
I turned toward her.
“You said you knew everything.””
“I thought I did.””
That was the first time Vanessa sounded afraid.
Not guilty.
Afraid.
Zoe sat down and opened her laptop.
“I traced the account.””
“And?””
“It wasn’t created by Lily.””
“Obviously.””
“But it was created using information from the hospital.””
My hands went cold.
“What information?””
“Her birth records.””
I looked at Ethan.
“The same records everyone has been fighting over.””
Zoe nodded.
“Yes.””
A terrible thought entered my mind.
“Someone inside the hospital created it.””
Nobody moved.
Then Ethan whispered:
“Vanessa had a connection there.””
Vanessa immediately shook her head.
“No.””
“Your friend worked in administration.””
“Yes.””
“Could she access records?””
Vanessa hesitated.
That was enough.
“Vanessa.””
She looked away.
“Yes.””
The room exploded.
Ethan stood.
“You used someone inside the hospital?””
“No.””
“Then explain.””
Vanessa’s eyes filled with frustration.
“She helped me find information. That’s all.””
“What information?””
“About Chloe.””
My stomach tightened.
“About me?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Vanessa looked at me.
“Because I wanted to know if you were really the reason Ethan changed.””
The honesty was disturbing.
But it also revealed something.
Vanessa had been watching me long before I knew.
“So you created the account?””
“No.””
“Then who?””
Nobody had an answer.
Until my phone rang.
Unknown number.
Again.
Everyone looked at me.
I answered.
A distorted voice spoke.
“Chloe.””
My blood froze.
“Who is this?””
“You’re finally asking the right questions.””
I stood.
“Who are you?””
A quiet laugh.
“Someone who knows your husband better than you ever did.””
I looked at Ethan.
“What do you want?””
“To give you the truth.””
“I’ve heard enough lies.””
“No.””
The voice became colder.
“You’ve heard everyone’s excuses.””
A pause.
“But not the reason they all stayed quiet.””
I gripped the phone.
“What reason?””
The person answered:
“Because Lily’s birth wasn’t the beginning of this story.””
My heart raced.
“What does that mean?””
“It means Vanessa didn’t create the problem.””
Silence.
“She inherited it.””
I looked around the room.
Everyone was confused.
“What are you talking about?””
The voice continued.
“Ask your husband what happened before you ever met him.””
Ethan’s face changed.
Not confusion.
Fear.
I noticed.
“Ethan?””
He looked away.
The voice said one final sentence.
“The man you married was already hiding a family before he met you.””
The call ended.
Nobody moved.
Then I slowly turned toward Ethan.
“What family?””
His face went completely pale.
May you like
And for the first time…
Vanessa looked just as shocked as I was.
