Chapter 10: The Truth My Mother Left Behind
The next morning, I woke to the sound of my daughter moving beneath my ribs.
For several seconds, I simply lay there, listening to the hospital room.
The soft hum of the air conditioner.
The distant footsteps in the hallway.
The steady rhythm of the monitor.
Then I remembered Thomas's words.
He's been alive this entire time.
I reached for my phone.
There was a message from Agent Collins.
*We have located the individual believed to be Daniel Ashford's paternal grandfather. We need to speak with you before proceeding.*
I read it twice.
Then another message appeared.
*His name is Arthur Ashford.*
I looked toward the window.
Arthur.
The name was familiar.
I'd seen it on the old documents Claire had brought.
But according to the family records, Arthur Ashford had died in 1979.
Long before Daniel was born.
I called Claire.
She answered immediately.
"Evelyn?""
"Have you seen the message?""
"Yes.""
"Who is Arthur Ashford?""
Claire was silent for a moment.
"Victor's father.""
"He's alive?""
"Apparently.""
"Why did everyone say he was dead?""
"Because the official records indicate that he died decades ago.""
I sat up.
"Then who has been running the family?""
"Victor has been the public face. But according to the investigators, Arthur may have continued exercising control through private arrangements.""
I looked at my watch.
The silver casing caught the morning light.
"Where is he?""
"Agent Collins is arranging a meeting.""
"Can I see him?""
"Not until the investigators are certain it's safe.""
I looked down at my stomach.
"Claire, I'm tired of people deciding what I can handle.""
"I know.""
"My mother died without being able to tell me the truth. My father spent his life protecting me from people I didn't even know existed. My husband tried to take control of my daughter's inheritance.""
I paused.
"I'm not hiding anymore.""
Claire exhaled.
"Then we'll do this properly.""
At 11:30 a.m., Agent Collins entered my room.
She was carrying a photograph.
"Evelyn, I want you to look at this.""
She placed it on the table.
The photograph showed an elderly man standing outside a large stone building.
He wore a dark overcoat and held a walking cane.
His hair was silver.
His posture was straight.
His eyes were unmistakable.
Cold.
Calculating.
"Is this Arthur?""
Agent Collins nodded.
"Taken three weeks ago.""
I studied the photograph.
"Where?""
"A private residence in Connecticut.""
"Does he know we're looking for him?""
"We believe so.""
I looked at her.
"Then why hasn't he disappeared?""
Agent Collins gave a small, humorless smile.
"Because he doesn't believe anyone can touch him.""
I stared at the photograph.
May you like
That sounded familiar.
"Has Daniel met him
