Chapter 13 - MY FATHER'S LAST CONFESSION
I couldn't move.
My father had been declared dead six years earlier.
I'd stood beside his coffin.
I'd watched them lower it.
I'd buried him.
Yet now he was sitting in front of me.
Alive.
"How?"
He looked at Mrs. Harper.
"She kept me here."
I turned toward her.
"You knew?"
She nodded.
"Your father wanted everyone to believe he was dead."
"Why?"
"Because Caldwell would have killed him."
My father spoke.
"I was dying anyway."
I stared.
"Then why?"
"Because I needed time."
"For what?"
"To protect you."
I almost laughed.
"Everyone says they protected me."
He looked ashamed.
"I made mistakes."
"You lied to me."
"Yes."
"You let me believe Mom was dead."
"Yes."
"You let me believe I was an only child."
"Yes."
"You let me raise Noah without knowing his mother was Vanessa."
His eyes filled with tears.
"Yes."
I stepped closer.
"Why?"
"Because every truth had a price."
"What price?"
"You."
He explained everything.
Caldwell had discovered the trust.
My father knew he couldn't defeat him alone.
So he created a series of false identities and hidden documents.
Michael was hidden.
My mother disappeared.
Vanessa vanished after Noah's birth.
And I was deliberately kept ignorant.
The plan was supposed to end when I turned thirty-eight.
"When I opened the east wing."
He nodded.
"That was the trigger."
"Why didn't you come to me?"
"Because I couldn't."
I stared.
"You're dying."
He smiled sadly.
"I have been for years."
I looked down.
"Did you push Lily?"
"No."
"Who did?"
My father looked toward the door.
"Your mother."
I froze.
"What?"
"She knew Caldwell would come."
"Then why?"
"To force you to open the trust."
I couldn't believe it.
"My daughter almost died."
"I know."
"She used Lily."
"I know."
I stepped back.
My father reached for me.
"Daniel."
I pulled away.
"You don't get to call that protection."
He lowered his hand.
"I know."
Silence filled the room.
Then he said:
"There's one final thing."
"What?"
"Your mother didn't survive."
I stared.
"What?"
"The woman you met at the chapel..."
He paused.
"She wasn't your mother."
My heart stopped.
"Who was she?"
My father looked toward the hidden doorway.
"Your mother's sister."
I felt dizzy.
"Then where is my mother?"
He looked at me.
"She's the person Caldwell has been trying to find."
Before I could ask another question, the room exploded with noise.
The door above slammed open.
Caldwell shouted.
My father looked terrified.
May you like
"He's found us."
Then the lights went out.
