Chapter 7: The Mother Who Gave Her Daughter Away
For nearly a minute, I couldn't speak.
Melissa was Lily's biological mother.
The woman who had hidden her own child behind a wall had given birth to her.
The woman who had told Lily that her father didn't want her had carried her for nine months.
And Claire, my first wife, had apparently raised a child who wasn't biologically hers.
I looked at Daniel.
"Tell me what happened.""
He pulled a chair closer to the hospital bed.
"Before Claire met you, Melissa was in a difficult relationship. She was young, irresponsible, and involved with someone who disappeared when she became pregnant.""
I stared at him.
"Who was the father?""
Daniel shook his head.
"She never told us. She said he was dangerous and wanted nothing to do with the baby.""
I glanced at Lily.
"Then how did Claire become her mother?""
Daniel took a breath.
"Claire and Melissa were inseparable when they were younger. They had a complicated relationship, but Claire always protected her sister. When Melissa gave birth, she suffered severe postpartum depression. She couldn't cope.""
"That doesn't explain why Claire raised the baby.""
"Melissa asked Claire to help. At first, it was temporary. But Claire became attached to Lily. She loved that little girl like her own.""
I looked at the hospital bed.
Lily was asleep, one hand resting on her teddy bear.
"Did Melissa legally give her up?""
Daniel nodded.
"There was a private guardianship arrangement. Claire became Lily's legal mother through a process that was supposed to lead to adoption.""
I frowned.
"Supposed to?""
"Melissa changed her mind several months later. She wanted Lily back. But by then, Claire had already discovered the financial fraud.""
I felt a chill.
"Was that when everything started?""
Daniel nodded.
"Richard and Grant realized they could use the custody dispute to control Claire. They told Melissa that if she helped them, she would eventually get Lily back.""
I stared at him.
"So Melissa helped them kill her own sister?""
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"She claims she didn't know they intended to kill Claire.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Everyone seems to have a convenient excuse.""
Daniel didn't argue.
I stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, cars moved through the hospital parking lot. People were going home, buying groceries, picking up children from school.
Ordinary lives.
My family had become a nightmare.
"Does Lily know?"" I asked.
"No.""
"Does she know Melissa is her biological mother?""
"No.""
I looked back.
"Then we don't tell her yet.""
Daniel nodded.
"Agreed.""
My phone rang again.
This time, it was my attorney, Michael Reed.
"Ryan, where are you?""
"At St. Mary's.""
"We need to meet immediately.""
"Why?""
"There's been a development involving your father's estate.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"What now?""
"Your father left a sealed letter with his attorney. It was scheduled to be released only if Lily was found alive.""
I froze.
"Who has it?""
"Edward Collins.""
The name Claire had written beneath the photograph.
"Send me the address.""
Michael hesitated.
"There's another issue. The letter contains a clause naming a new beneficiary of the Mitchell family trust.""
"Who?""
"Your daughter.""
"Which one?""
Silence.
Then Michael answered.
"Both Emma and Lily.""
I looked toward the bed.
"What does that mean?""
"It means your father anticipated that Lily would eventually be found. And he made arrangements that could change the ownership of Mitchell Construction.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"How much?""
"Everything.""
Edward Collins' office was located in an old brick building downtown.
When I arrived with Daniel, Michael was already waiting outside.
He held a thick folder.
"Ryan, before we go in, I need you to understand something.""
"What?""
"Your father's estate is more complicated than we thought.""
I stared at him.
"Just tell me.""
Michael opened the folder.
"Richard established a private trust using company shares, property, and investment accounts. The total value is approximately twelve million dollars.""
I blinked.
"Twelve million?""
"Yes. The beneficiaries are Emma and Lily. But there's a condition.""
"What condition?""
"Neither child can access the funds until she turns twenty-one. Until then, the trust is controlled by an independent trustee.""
"Who?""
Michael looked uncomfortable.
"Grant Parker was the original trustee.""
I closed my eyes.
"Of course.""
"However, your father named a successor.""
"Who?""
Michael turned the page.
"Melissa Mitchell.""
I laughed in disbelief.
"She can't control a trust involving the child she imprisoned.""
"That's why we need the original documents. If the guardianship agreement was forged, the appointment may be invalid.""
Daniel pointed toward the office.
"Then let's find out.""
We entered.
Edward Collins was a thin man in his seventies, with silver-rimmed glasses and a perfectly pressed suit.
He stood when he saw me.
"Ryan. I've been expecting you.""
I didn't offer my hand.
"You knew what happened to Lily.""
His expression changed.
"I knew something was wrong.""
"That's not an answer.""
Edward gestured toward the chairs.
"Please.""
I remained standing.
"Five years ago, my daughter was declared dead. My wife was murdered. My company was robbed.
And a little girl was hidden inside my bedroom wall. I want to know exactly what you knew.""
Edward removed a sealed envelope from his desk.
"Your father gave me this shortly before his death.""
He placed it in front of me.
"Why didn't you contact me?""
"Because the instructions were explicit. I was to release it only if Lily was located and her identity verified.""
"Who wrote the instructions?""
"Your father.""
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter.
Ryan,
If you're reading this, then the truth has finally come out. I know you will hate me. I have earned that hatred.
I stopped.
Daniel leaned closer.
I continued.
I made a terrible mistake when I trusted Grant. I believed he could solve a financial problem without exposing the company. Instead, I allowed him to build a criminal operation around my family.
Claire discovered everything.
I tried to persuade her to remain silent. When she refused, I helped Grant arrange the accident.
My hands began trembling.
There it was.
A confession.
Not a vague admission.
Not another convenient excuse.
My father had helped arrange Claire's death.
I continued reading.
I did not intend for Claire to die. I wanted to frighten her. Grant promised that she would survive and that the child would be transferred somewhere safe.
I almost tore the letter in half.
After Claire died, I discovered what Grant had done. He had used the guardianship agreement to control Lily. He threatened Melissa, manipulated Daniel, and continued stealing from the company.
I looked at Edward.
"Why didn't he go to the police?""
Edward lowered his eyes.
"Because he was afraid of being prosecuted for Claire's death.""
I continued.
I wanted to bring Lily home. But every time I tried, Grant threatened to expose my involvement. I was a coward, Ryan. I chose silence.
My throat tightened.
The final paragraph was shorter.
There is one thing you must know. Lily was not the only child involved in this arrangement. Melissa gave birth to another baby before Lily. That child was never entered into the family records.
I stopped reading.
Daniel looked up.
"Another baby?""
Edward nodded.
"Your father believed the child was placed with a private family through an arrangement involving Grant.""
My stomach dropped.
"Where is that child now?""
Edward opened another folder.
"That's what I've been trying to establish.""
He removed a photograph.
It showed Melissa standing outside a hospital five years ago.
Beside her was Grant.
In her arms was a newborn baby.
But there was something strange.
The baby wore a hospital bracelet with a number matching Lily's medical file.
I stared.
"Why are there two babies?""
Edward adjusted his glasses.
"Because the original records suggest Melissa gave birth to twins.""
The room went silent.
Twins.
Lily had a brother or sister.
Another child.
Another life hidden by the same people who had destroyed ours.
I looked at Daniel.
He seemed just as shocked.
"Where is the other baby?"" I asked.
Edward opened the final document.
"According to the records, the child was registered under a different surname.""
He turned the paper toward me.
At the top was a name.
Emma Mitchell.
My blood turned cold.
I looked at the photograph again.
Then I looked at the hospital records.
Emma had been born nearly a year after Lily.
But the document claimed they were twins.
"That's impossible," I whispered.
Michael leaned over the papers.
"Ryan, this record has been altered. We need DNA testing before drawing conclusions.""
Edward nodded.
"There's a second hospital file. It suggests the second infant was transferred shortly after birth.""
I stood abruptly.
"Where?""
Edward looked at me.
"To a private residence.""
"Whose?""
He hesitated.
Then answered:
"Richard Mitchell's.""
My father's house.
The house where Emma had spent her first months.
I suddenly remembered something.
When Emma was a baby, my father had insisted on helping us with childcare.
He'd taken her for several weekends.
He'd told us he wanted to give Melissa a break.
I'd trusted him completely.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Detective Harris.
Ryan, we need you back at the hospital. There's been an emergency.
I called immediately.
"What happened?""
Harris answered.
"Melissa has been admitted for medical evaluation after collapsing during questioning.""
"Is she okay?""
"She's conscious.""
"Then why are you calling me?""
He hesitated.
"Because she has asked to speak with you.""
"About what?""
May you like
The detective lowered his voice.
"She says Emma isn't your biological daughter.""
