Chapter 8: The Third Daughter
Michael stared at his father.
"Who?""
Robert's lips trembled.
"Your housekeeper.""
Michael frowned.
"Mrs. Collins?""
Robert nodded.
"She is not who you think she is.""
Michael stepped away from the bed.
"Mrs. Collins has worked for us for nine years.""
"Exactly.""
"She took care of Lily. She was at Sarah's funeral. She—"
"She was protecting your daughter.""
Michael looked at Sarah.
Sarah appeared equally shocked.
"What are you saying?"" she whispered.
Robert struggled to sit up.
Dr. Whitmore helped him adjust the pillows.
"Before Sarah became pregnant with Lily, Richard had another relationship. He fathered a little girl with Evelyn Shaw.""
Patricia looked up from her laptop.
"Evelyn?""
Robert nodded.
"She gave birth privately. Richard arranged for the child to be placed with another family.""
Michael shook his head.
"Why would Mrs. Collins be involved?""
"Because the child was adopted by her sister.""
Michael felt his stomach tighten.
"Mrs. Collins adopted Richard's daughter?""
"No. Her sister did. But when the sister died, Mrs. Collins took responsibility for the child.""
Sarah covered her mouth.
"Where is she now?""
Robert looked toward the door.
"She has been working in your home.""
Michael felt suddenly sick.
"You're telling me the woman who watched Lily being mistreated was secretly raising another child connected to Richard?""
Robert closed his eyes.
"She was trying to protect all three girls.""
Michael shook his head.
"Then why didn't she tell me?""
"Because Richard threatened to have the child taken away.""
Patricia approached the bed.
"Mr. Carter, we need names and documentation. Do you have proof?""
Robert pointed toward the bedside cabinet.
"Inside.""
Michael opened it.
There was a brown envelope containing a birth certificate, adoption papers, and an old photograph.
The photograph showed a young Evelyn holding a baby.
Beside her stood Richard.
On the back was a name.
*Grace Evelyn Hayes.*
Michael studied the birth certificate.
The father's name was Richard Hayes.
The mother's name was Evelyn Shaw.
But the child had been registered under another surname.
Collins.
"Where is Grace?""
Robert looked at him.
"Her name is now Emma Collins.""
Michael closed his eyes.
He remembered the housekeeper's daughter.
Emma was seventeen.
She occasionally visited the mansion during school holidays.
She was quiet, polite, and usually helped Mrs. Collins with small household tasks.
Michael had known her for years.
He had even paid for some of her school expenses.
"Emma?""
Robert nodded.
"Yes.""
Michael stared at the photograph.
"Does she know?""
"I don't think so.""
Sarah looked horrified.
"All these years, Richard has been hiding children like they're business secrets.""
Robert's eyes filled.
"I thought I could control the situation. I thought money would keep everyone safe.""
Michael turned toward him.
"You didn't protect anyone. You let them destroy our family.""
Robert began crying.
"I know.""
For a moment, Michael felt only anger.
Then he saw the old man's trembling hands.
His father had been manipulated, perhaps even drugged, but he had also made choices that had ruined lives.
Michael couldn't forgive him simply because he was sick.
"You're going to tell the police everything," he said.
Robert nodded.
"Yes.""
Patricia took the documents.
"I'll make sure these are preserved and authenticated.""
Michael turned toward Sarah.
"We need to go home.""
She looked confused.
"Why?""
"Because Emma might be in danger.""
They drove back to the mansion.
On the way, Michael called Mrs. Collins.
She didn't answer.
He tried again.
Nothing.
When they arrived, the front door was open.
Michael rushed inside.
"Mrs. Collins!""
No response.
He checked the kitchen.
A cup of tea sat on the counter.
A half-finished sandwich was on a plate.
But the housekeeper's handbag was missing.
Sarah ran upstairs.
"Michael!""
He followed her.
Lily and Abigail were sitting in the living room with a child protection worker. Both were safe.
But Emma was nowhere to be seen.
Michael approached the worker.
"Where is Mrs. Collins?""
"She left about twenty minutes ago.""
"With whom?""
The worker checked her notes.
"She said her daughter had an emergency at school.""
Michael looked at Sarah.
"Emma.""
The worker frowned.
"Is there a problem?""
Michael handed her the birth certificate.
"I think that girl may be connected to a criminal investigation.""
The worker read the document.
Her expression changed.
"Have you contacted the police?""
"Not yet.""
Michael immediately called Patricia.
She answered on the first ring.
"Michael?""
"Emma is missing. Mrs. Collins took her.""
Patricia was silent for a moment.
"Do not assume Mrs. Collins is working against you.""
"Why?""
"Because I just received something from the bank.""
"What?""
"The original $25,000 transfer to Northbridge wasn't a payment to Evelyn.""
Michael frowned.
"Then who was it for?""
Patricia lowered her voice.
"It was deposited into an account belonging to Mrs. Collins.""
Michael felt his stomach drop.
"What?""
"She received the money two years ago. But the transaction was recorded as a guardianship expense.""
Michael looked toward the empty staircase.
"Was she paid to keep Emma hidden?""
"Possibly. I'm still investigating.""
Michael ended the call.
Then his phone rang again.
It was Mrs. Collins.
He answered.
"Where are you?""
Her voice was trembling.
"Mr. Carter, I need you to listen.""
"Where is Emma?""
"She's with me.""
"Bring her home.""
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because Richard knows what happened. He knows I've kept the records.""
Michael gripped the phone.
"What records?""
"The original adoption papers. The documents showing how he transferred the children. Everything.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
Mrs. Collins began crying.
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of Richard?""
"Of what he would do to Emma.""
Michael lowered his voice.
"Listen to me. I can protect you.""
"No, Mr. Carter. You don't understand. Richard has people everywhere.""
"Then tell me where you are.""
She hesitated.
"At the old Carter estate.""
Michael recognized the location.
His father's former country house.
It had been sold years ago, or so he thought.
"Why are you there?""
"Because that's where the children were registered.""
Michael went still.
"What children?""
"All three.""
There was a long pause.
Then Mrs. Collins whispered:
"There's something else you need to know about Lily.""
Michael's heart began pounding.
"What?""
"She wasn't starved because Vanessa wanted to punish her.""
"Then why?""
Mrs. Collins took a shaky breath.
"Vanessa needed Lily to look sick enough for a doctor to recommend that she be placed in temporary care.""
Michael felt his blood run cold.
"Why?""
"Because once Lily was removed from your custody, Richard could transfer the trust without your consent.""
Michael closed his eyes.
It was a plan.
A carefully constructed plan to make him appear incapable of protecting his daughter.
"And the signature practice?""
"That was part of it. They wanted Lily to sign the documents herself, so they could claim you had authorized everything.""
Michael's voice hardened.
"Who gave you the $25,000?""
Mrs. Collins began sobbing.
"Richard.""
"Why?""
"Because I refused to hand Emma over.""
Michael looked at Sarah.
She was listening now, her face pale.
"Mrs. Collins, stay where you are. I'm coming.""
"No!""
Her voice suddenly became urgent.
"Don't come alone.""
A door slammed in the background.
Mrs. Collins screamed.
Then the call disconnected.
Michael immediately called emergency services.
He also sent Patricia the location.
But before he could leave, a message arrived.
A photograph.
Mrs. Collins was sitting in an old chair, her hands tied behind her back.
Standing behind her was Richard Hayes.
And beside Richard was a woman Michael recognized from the photograph his father had kept.
Evelyn Shaw.
The message beneath the picture contained one sentence.
*COME ALONE, OR YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHICH OF YOUR DAUGHTERS IS REALLY YOURS.*
Michael stared at the screen.
Then another message arrived.
*ASK SARAH WHAT SHE DID BEFORE LILY WAS BORN.*
He slowly turned toward his wife.
Sarah was crying.
"Michael," she whispered.
"What?""
She looked toward Lily and Abigail.
May you like
Then she said:
"There's a reason Richard wants you to question whether they're your daughters.""
