Chapter 7: The Child Nobody Had Told Him About
“There's another child, Daniel. And that child has been living in your house.””
Daniel stared at the laptop screen.
For several seconds, he couldn't process what Richard had said.
Another child?
Living in his house?
He looked toward Vanessa.
She had backed against the wall, her face completely drained of color.
“What does he mean?”” Daniel demanded.
Richard leaned closer to the camera.
“Your wife knew about the child. Laura knew too. That's why she started investigating the inheritance.””
Daniel shook his head.
“Stop speaking in riddles. Tell me who this child is.””
Richard glanced over his shoulder again.
“I can't explain everything over a video call.””
“You have thirty seconds.””
Richard swallowed.
“Check the birth records in the locked cabinet. The original documents are there. You'll find a certificate under a different surname.””
Daniel turned toward the filing cabinet.
Vanessa suddenly moved.
“Don't open it!””
Daniel stepped between her and the cabinet.
“Stay where you are.””
“You're making things worse!””
“Worse than what?””
Vanessa's voice cracked.
“Worse than you losing everything!””
Daniel pulled open the lowest drawer.
Inside were several folders arranged by date.
He found a folder marked MEDICAL—PRIVATE.
Underneath it lay a birth certificate.
The name at the top was unfamiliar.
*LILY MARIE COLE.*
Daniel looked at the date.
Four years earlier.
He looked at Richard's image.
“Who is Lily?””
Richard closed his eyes.
Then he said, “She's my daughter.””
Daniel stared.
“And why is her birth certificate in my house?””
Richard hesitated.
“Because Laura discovered that someone had been using your family trust to support her.””
Daniel looked at Vanessa.
“Someone?””
Vanessa began shaking her head.
“Daniel, please.””
He turned back to the screen.
“Where is this child?””
Richard swallowed.
“She's been living under another name. Your wife arranged it.””
Daniel felt the blood drain from his face.
“Vanessa?””
Richard nodded.
“She brought Lily into your household as a relative's child. The arrangement was supposed to be temporary.””
Daniel looked toward the hallway.
There were two children's bedrooms upstairs.
And a third small bedroom at the far end of the corridor.
A room Vanessa had always described as a storage space for old furniture.
He remembered a little pink backpack he had seen there months ago.
He had asked Vanessa about it.
She had said it belonged to a neighbor's child.
Daniel had believed her.
“Is Lily here?”” he asked.
Vanessa covered her face.
Richard answered instead.
“Yes.””
Daniel looked at the laptop.
“Where?””
“Upstairs.””
A sudden sound came from the hallway.
A small object dropped.
Daniel turned.
At the top of the stairs stood a little girl.
She was about four years old, with dark brown hair tied into two uneven ponytails.
She wore yellow socks and held a stuffed rabbit against her chest.
Her eyes were fixed on Daniel.
“Mommy?””
Vanessa immediately rushed toward the stairs.
“Lily, go back to your room!””
The girl stepped backward.
Daniel raised his hand.
“Don't scare her.””
Vanessa stopped.
Daniel crouched at the bottom of the stairs.
“Hi, sweetheart. I'm Daniel.””
The girl stared.
“I know.””
“You do?””
She nodded.
“Mommy said you're the man who owns the big house.””
Daniel felt something twist inside him.
“What's your name?””
“Lily.””
“Would you like to come downstairs?””
She shook her head.
“Mommy said I'm not supposed to talk to you.””
Vanessa looked away.
Daniel glanced at the screen.
Richard was still there.
“Mr. Cole, why is your daughter living here?””
Richard's expression crumpled.
“Because Vanessa promised she would protect her.””
Daniel stood.
“Protect her from whom?””
Richard didn't answer.
Instead, Lily spoke.
“Mommy says Daddy is bad.””
Vanessa turned sharply.
“Lily!””
The little girl flinched.
Daniel looked at Vanessa.
“Don't raise your voice at her.””
He returned his attention to Lily.
“Sweetheart, nobody is going to punish you for talking.””
Lily slowly came down three steps.
Then she stopped.
“Is Sophie okay?””
Daniel's heart tightened.
“Yes. She's upstairs with Ethan.””
Lily looked relieved.
“She cries when Mommy gets angry.””
Daniel glanced at Vanessa.
“What do you mean?””
Lily hugged her rabbit.
“Sometimes Mommy says Sophie mustn't tell Daddy about the little room.””
Daniel felt the familiar coldness return.
“Have you been in that room?””
Lily nodded.
“Mommy says it's where the important papers sleep.””
Daniel looked toward the locked office.
Lily continued.
“Richard comes there sometimes. He tells Mommy to keep the papers safe until the little girl gets bigger.””
Daniel's mind raced.
The inheritance.
The forged guardianship documents.
The hidden medical records.
The mysterious third child.
Suddenly, the pieces were beginning to form a picture.
He looked at Richard.
“Why does your daughter have anything to do with my children's inheritance?””
Richard lowered his eyes.
“Because Lily's mother was Laura's sister.””
Daniel froze.
“What?””
Vanessa whispered, “Daniel…”
Richard continued.
“Laura and my wife were sisters. Lily was born shortly before Laura died. After my wife passed away, Laura promised to help secure Lily's future.””
Daniel stared at the birth certificate.
The little girl wasn't a stranger.
She was Laura's niece.
But why had Vanessa hidden her?
Richard explained.
“Laura changed the inheritance arrangements before she died. She wanted a portion of the estate protected for Lily as well as Ethan and Sophie.””
Daniel looked at the papers again.
“Then why did someone alter the documents?””
Richard's voice dropped.
“Because the person who controlled the trust could access all three children's money.””
Daniel turned slowly toward Vanessa.
She had stopped crying.
Her face was expressionless.
“Is that what this was about?”” he asked.
“You wanted control of three children's inheritance?””
Vanessa finally spoke.
“I wanted security.””
“You used my children.””
“I raised them!””
“You frightened them!””
“I gave up everything for this family!””
Daniel pointed toward Lily.
“And what did you give up for her?””
Vanessa said nothing.
Lily began descending the stairs again.
She walked toward Daniel and quietly held out a small folded photograph.
It showed Laura sitting on a hospital bed, holding a newborn baby.
On the back was a message.
For my three little stars. Ethan, Sophie, and Lily. One day, you'll understand why I wanted you protected together.
Daniel stared at the photograph.
Then Lily whispered something that made him forget to breathe.
“Mommy said Aunt Laura didn't want me to live here.””
He crouched.
“Who told you that?””
Lily pointed at Vanessa.
“She said Aunt Laura wanted me gone.””
Daniel looked up.
Vanessa's face crumpled.
And just as he was about to question her, the front door slammed downstairs.
Someone had entered the house.
A man's voice called out.
“Vanessa! We need to leave. Now!””
Richard's image disappeared from the laptop.
Daniel turned toward the stairs.
Because he recognized the voice.
May you like
It belonged to Michael Reeves.
His attorney.
