Chapter 7: The Daughter Who Was Never Dead
For several seconds, nobody in the living room moved.
Vanessa stood beside the staircase, her phone pressed against her ear, staring at nothing.
“Patricia, repeat that.””
The voice on the other end sounded frantic.
“I said someone found Lily. He's asking questions about the adoption records. He has a copy of the original birth certificate.””
Vanessa's fingers tightened around the phone.
“Who is he?””
“I don't know his name yet. But he knows about the children's home, and he knows what happened eight years ago.””
Vanessa looked toward Marcus.
He was standing with Nia in his arms, while Madison watched her with unmistakable disgust.
“Patricia, listen to me. Do not tell him anything.””
“It's too late.””
“What do you mean, too late?””
“He's already spoken to the director.””
Vanessa's breathing became uneven.
“Then get rid of the records.””
“Vanessa, those records are evidence. We can't just—”
“Do whatever you have to do!””
She ended the call.
Marcus slowly stepped forward.
“Who is Lily's father?””
Vanessa slipped the phone into her pocket.
“That's none of your business.””
“Your daughter is part of this family whether you like it or not. If someone is searching for her, I want to know why.””
Vanessa laughed nervously.
“You're suddenly very interested in my past.””
“Because your past appears to be connected to the lies you've been telling about my daughter.””
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
“Your daughter? That's all you ever care about. Nia this, Nia that. Have you ever considered what Madison and Chloe need?””
Madison immediately answered.
“We need a mother who doesn't lie.””
Vanessa turned toward her.
“Go upstairs.””
“No.””
“Madison, don't test me.””
“You told us Lily was dead.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“Because she is.””
Madison shook her head.
“You kept her photograph. You have letters addressed to her. You wrote that you'd find her.””
Vanessa looked at Marcus.
“Your daughter has been going through my private belongings.””
Marcus's voice remained cold.
“Stop blaming Madison. Answer the question.””
Vanessa's lips trembled.
Then she made a decision.
She started crying.
It was sudden and theatrical. She covered her face and lowered herself onto the nearest chair.
“I can't believe this is happening,” she whispered.
Marcus didn't move.
Vanessa looked up.
“I lost a child. Do you understand that? I lost a daughter, and now you're all accusing me of hiding something.””
Marcus studied her.
“Then tell me what happened.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because it was the most painful thing I've ever experienced.””
Madison crossed her arms.
“Then why did you tell me Lily never existed?””
Vanessa turned toward her.
“Because you were too young to understand.””
“You told Chloe that Lily died in an accident.””
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“That's what I wanted you to believe.””
The admission silenced everyone.
Marcus slowly lowered Nia into a nearby chair.
“Vanessa, I want the truth. All of it.””
She wiped her cheeks.
“Eight years ago, I had a daughter named Lily. Her father and I weren't married. We had a difficult relationship. He didn't want the responsibility of raising a child.””
Marcus frowned.
“Who was he?””
Vanessa looked away.
“His name was Andrew Miller.””
Richard, who had been quietly listening, looked up.
“Andrew Miller?””
Vanessa nodded.
“He left when Lily was very young.””
“And what happened to Lily?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“She was placed in a children's home temporarily.””
Madison's eyes widened.
“You abandoned her?””
“I didn't abandon her!””
“You told everyone she was dead!””
Vanessa stood abruptly.
“I was young! I was struggling! I didn't have the money or the support to raise her!””
Marcus stared at her.
“You had a daughter, and you told people she was dead?””
Vanessa's voice became defensive.
“I had no choice.””
“There is always a choice.””
“You wouldn't understand!””
Marcus pointed toward Nia.
“I understand that children don't deserve to be treated like unwanted baggage.””
Vanessa flinched.
Richard stepped forward.
“Mrs. Carter, I suggest you stop making statements until we understand the legal situation.””
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“Of course. Another lawyer. That's all this family needs.””
Marcus ignored her.
He turned to Madison.
“Do you remember anything else about the photograph?””
Madison nodded.
“There was a date written on the back. I looked it up once. Lily was about the same age as Nia is now.””
Marcus's expression changed.
“Eight years old?””
“Yes.””
He looked at Vanessa.
“Where is she now?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
Her phone vibrated again.
This time, Marcus noticed the message on the screen.
*PATRICIA: ANDREW IS AT THE HOME. HE HAS THE ORIGINAL BIRTH RECORDS.*
Marcus read it twice.
“Andrew is there?””
Vanessa quickly locked her phone.
“You have no right to read my messages.””
“Then perhaps you should stop receiving messages about secret children.””
She walked toward the staircase.
“I'm leaving.””
Marcus stepped aside.
“Where are you going?””
“To handle my own family business.””
Richard moved closer.
“Mrs. Carter, you should be aware that we're documenting the incidents involving Nia, the alleged forged guardianship paperwork, and the documents found in your room.””
Vanessa stopped.
Her expression hardened.
“You have no proof of anything.””
Richard held up the evidence envelope.
“We have quite a lot.””
Vanessa looked at Marcus.
“You really believe a housekeeper and two children over your own wife?””
Marcus answered without hesitation.
“Yes.””
Vanessa stared at him.
Then she climbed the stairs.
An hour later, Marcus sat in his office with Richard.
A legal investigator had been contacted, and Evelyn Brooks was on her way.
Madison was upstairs with Nia, helping her choose a bedtime story.
Marcus had finally managed to get his daughter to eat a full lunch.
But he couldn't stop thinking about Lily.
He opened his laptop and searched for Andrew Miller.
Several results appeared.
One caught his attention.
Andrew Miller was the founder of a nonprofit organization that helped children reconnect with biological families.
The article included a photograph.
Marcus stared at it.
He recognized the man.
Not personally, but from somewhere.
“Richard.””
“Yes?””
“Look at this.””
Richard leaned over.
His eyebrows rose.
“That's interesting.””
“Why?””
“Andrew Miller was involved in a legal dispute with Daniel three years ago.””
Marcus looked at him.
“What kind of dispute?””
“An investigation into fraudulent charitable donations. The case was eventually dismissed.””
Marcus stared at the photograph again.
“So Daniel knew him?””
“Possibly.””
Marcus picked up his phone.
He called Evelyn.
“Evelyn, I need you to check something.””
“What's happened?””
“Vanessa had a daughter named Lily. Her biological father is Andrew Miller.””
There was a pause.
Then Evelyn answered carefully.
“Marcus, I think you need to hear something.””
“What?””
“Elizabeth once told me that Vanessa had been involved in a custody dispute before she joined the medical company.””
“Was it with Andrew?””
“I don't know. But Elizabeth mentioned a little girl who had been placed in temporary care.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“Did Elizabeth ever meet Lily?””
“Yes.””
His heart began beating faster.
“When?””
“During the period when Elizabeth was receiving treatment. She told me Vanessa had brought a child to the hospital once.””
“Why?””
“She said the child needed a place to stay while Vanessa dealt with a personal crisis.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Did Elizabeth know who the father was?””
“No. But she told me something that I never understood.””
“What?””
Evelyn lowered her voice.
“She said Vanessa had been offered a chance to reunite with her daughter, but she refused.””
Marcus looked toward the family photographs on his desk.
“Why would she refuse?””
“I don't know.””
Then Evelyn added:
“Marcus, there's another detail. Elizabeth said Vanessa was furious because the child's father had discovered something about her financial situation.””
Marcus slowly sat back.
“Do you know what?””
“No.””
Before Marcus could ask another question, the office door opened.
Madison stood there.
Her face was pale.
“Dad?””
He immediately stood.
“What happened?””
“Nia wants to talk to you.””
“Is she okay?””
Madison nodded.
“But she heard Mom talking on the phone.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“What did she hear?””
Madison swallowed.
“She said something about making Nia disappear before Lily came home.””
Marcus went completely still.
Richard stood.
“Where is Nia now?””
“In her bedroom.””
Marcus hurried upstairs.
Nia was sitting on her bed with her stuffed rabbit.
When Marcus entered, she immediately held out her arms.
He lifted her.
“Hey, sweetheart. Madison said you heard something.””
Nia nodded.
“Vanessa was on the phone.””
“What did she say?””
“She said I was the reason everything was going wrong.””
Marcus held her closer.
“Did she say anything else?””
Nia hesitated.
“She said someone was coming to take a little girl away.””
Marcus's face tightened.
“Did she say who?””
Nia nodded.
“Lily.””
He exchanged a glance with Madison.
“Did she say why?””
Nia looked down.
“She said if Lily came back, she would tell everyone what Vanessa did.””
Marcus kissed her forehead.
“You don't have to worry about that.””
“But what if Vanessa gets angry?””
Marcus looked directly into her eyes.
“Then she will have to be angry without hurting you.””
Nia nodded.
Then she whispered:
“Daddy?””
“Yes?””
“Is Lily like me?””
Marcus was silent for a moment.
“I don't know yet.””
Nia looked at the stuffed rabbit in her arms.
“Maybe she needs someone to be nice to her.””
Marcus felt his heart break.
He hugged his daughter.
“You're right, sweetheart. Maybe she does.””
Just then, his phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
He answered.
“Marcus Carter.””
A man's voice replied.
“Mr. Carter, my name is Andrew Miller.””
Marcus stood.
“Yes?””
“I believe we have a family matter to discuss.””
Marcus glanced at Nia.
“Where are you?””
“Outside your home.””
Marcus walked toward the window.
A dark SUV was parked near the entrance.
A man stood beside it holding a small photograph.
“Mr. Carter,” Andrew continued, “I need to tell you something about Vanessa.””
Marcus's voice hardened.
“What?””
Andrew looked directly toward the house.
“She's not the only person who lost a child because of Daniel.””
The call ended.
May you like
Marcus stared through the window.
And then the front doorbell rang.
