Chapter 7: The Son Elena Never Told Me About
Marcus read the message three times.
*Mr. Bennett, my name is Thomas. I was your wife's son.
I've been trying to reach you for three years. I have the original documents proving what Daniel and Vanessa did to Elena.*
The second message was shorter.
But there's something you need to know before you trust Margaret.
Marcus slowly lowered his phone.
Across the living room, Margaret sat with both hands wrapped around her handbag. Her expression was difficult to read.
“Who is Thomas?”” Marcus asked.
Margaret looked at the photograph in his hand.
“You received his message.””
It wasn't a question.
Marcus nodded.
“Why does he say I shouldn't trust you?””
Margaret closed her eyes.
“Because I made a terrible mistake.””
“What mistake?””
She looked toward the staircase.
“Not here. Not with the children listening.””
Marcus walked to the kitchen and closed the door behind them.
“Margaret, I have spent the last twenty-four hours discovering that my wife stole from my daughter, fabricated abuse allegations, and apparently planned to take custody of her. I don't have the patience for another family secret.””
Margaret flinched.
“I understand.””
“Then tell me the truth.””
She removed a folded tissue from her handbag.
“Elena found Thomas when he was twenty-six. He had been adopted by a wonderful family in another state. He knew he was adopted, but he didn't know his birth mother's identity until a private investigator located him.””
Marcus leaned against the counter.
“Why didn't she tell me?””
“Because she wanted to meet him first. She was afraid he would reject her.””
“Did he?””
Margaret shook her head.
“No. He visited her at the hospital. They spent almost four hours together.””
Marcus looked at the photograph again.
Elena's smile was unmistakable.
It was the same smile she had worn when Nia took her first steps.
“Why didn't she tell me afterward?””
Margaret's eyes filled.
“She intended to. But Thomas brought her information about Daniel. He had discovered that Daniel was involved in suspicious financial arrangements connected to the adoption agency.””
Marcus frowned.
“What adoption agency?””
“The one that handled Thomas's placement.””
Margaret took a breath.
“Daniel had worked there as a financial consultant. He knew the people who managed the agency's charitable funds. Thomas discovered that money intended for several children had disappeared.””
Marcus stared at her.
“Was Elena involved?””
“No. She was horrified.””
Margaret looked down.
“She began investigating Daniel. That's when she discovered he had been asking questions about Nia's inheritance.””
Marcus felt a chill.
“So Thomas helped her.””
“Yes.””
“And you knew all of this?””
Margaret nodded.
“Every bit of it.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
Margaret's voice broke.
“Because Elena made me promise not to expose Thomas until she knew he was safe. She believed Daniel had connections that could make his life difficult.””
Marcus walked to the window.
“And Vanessa?””
“Vanessa was already communicating with Daniel. Elena suspected they were working together.””
He turned.
“Suspected?””
Margaret nodded.
“She never found the complete proof.””
Marcus looked at the message again.
“Thomas says he has the original documents.””
“Then you should speak to him.””
“Why did he say not to trust you?””
Margaret stared at the floor.
“Because I knew about Vanessa's first attempt to access the trust, and I didn't stop it.””
Marcus went still.
“What?””
“Three years ago, before you married Vanessa, she approached me. She said she wanted to understand the family finances because she hoped to become part of your life.””
“And?””
“She asked for copies of Elena's estate documents. I gave her some.””
Marcus stared at her.
“Why?””
“I thought she was trying to understand the responsibilities that came with marrying you. I didn't realize she was gathering information.””
“Margaret, you gave her the documents that showed her exactly how much money Nia would inherit.””
Margaret started crying.
“I know.””
He turned away.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Marcus's phone rang.
The unknown number appeared again.
He answered.
“Thomas?””
A man's voice responded.
“Yes. Mr. Bennett?””
“This is Marcus.””
“Thank you for answering.””
Marcus glanced at Margaret.
“I've been told a little about you.””
“Then you know I'm Elena's son.””
“I do.””
There was a pause.
Thomas spoke carefully.
“I understand this is a lot to process. I'm not asking you to believe everything I say. I just want to show you what Elena gave me before she died.””
“What did she give you?””
“A flash drive, several original financial records, and a letter.””
Marcus straightened.
“Where are you?””
“I'm at a hotel near your town. I can come to you, if that's okay.””
Marcus looked toward the staircase.
“Come tomorrow morning.””
“There's one thing I need to tell you now.””
“What?””
“Daniel knows I'm here.””
Marcus's expression changed.
“How?””
“Because someone has been monitoring the old financial accounts. I received a message from him this morning.””
“What did it say?””
Thomas paused.
“He said if I showed you the documents, he'd make sure Nia never saw a normal childhood.””
Marcus gripped the phone.
“Did you save the message?””
“Yes.””
“Send it to me.””
“I will.””
Thomas hesitated.
“Mr. Bennett, there's something else. Elena didn't die believing Vanessa was simply a dishonest woman.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“What do you mean?””
“She believed Vanessa had been involved in the events that led to her final hospitalization.””
Marcus stopped breathing.
“What?””
“I don't want to make an accusation without evidence. But Elena told me she had discovered something about her medication.””
Marcus looked toward Margaret.
She had heard enough to understand the direction of the conversation.
Her face turned white.
“Thomas,” Marcus said slowly, “what happened to Elena?””
The line went quiet.
Then Thomas answered.
“That's why I'm coming tomorrow.””
He ended the call.
Marcus stood motionless.
Margaret approached him.
“Marcus, please.””
He turned.
“Did you know?””
Margaret began shaking her head.
“I knew Elena was worried about her medication. I didn't know what she suspected.””
“Did you investigate?””
“No.””
“Why not?””
Margaret's voice broke.
“Because she was already dying, Marcus. I couldn't bear the thought that someone might have hurt her.””
He looked at the woman who had helped raise his daughter.
For the first time, he couldn't decide whether he felt sympathy or anger.
Upstairs, a floorboard creaked.
Nia appeared at the top of the staircase, holding her teddy bear.
“Daddy?””
Marcus immediately softened his expression.
“Come here, sweetheart.””
She descended slowly.
“Are we going to see Grandma?””
He looked at Margaret.
Then back at his daughter.
“Not tonight, baby. Tonight we're staying home.””
Nia nodded.
“Can I sleep in your room again?””
“Every night you need to.””
She hugged him.
Marcus held her tightly, looking over her shoulder at the photograph of Elena.
He had promised his wife he would protect their daughter.
Now he was beginning to understand that the danger might have started long before Vanessa ever entered their home.
And somewhere in the middle of it was a man he had never known existed.
A man who might hold the key to everything.
The next morning, a black sedan pulled into the driveway.
Marcus watched from the front window.
A man stepped out carrying a leather briefcase.
He was in his early thirties, tall, with dark hair and a faint scar near his left eyebrow.
He looked toward the house.
For a moment, he seemed uncertain.
Then he walked to the front door and rang the bell.
Marcus opened it.
The man looked at him.
“Mr. Bennett?””
“Yes.””
Thomas swallowed.
“I'm Thomas Collins.””
Marcus stepped aside.
“Come in.””
Thomas entered slowly.
His eyes moved toward the hallway, where several family photographs hung.
He stopped at Elena's picture.
It showed her sitting on a beach, laughing with Nia in her lap.
Thomas stared at it for several seconds.
“She looked happy,” he whispered.
Marcus nodded.
“She was.””
Thomas looked down.
“I wish I had known her longer.””
Marcus didn't know what to say.
Instead, he led him into the study.
Thomas placed the briefcase on the desk and opened it.
Inside were several folders, a flash drive, and a sealed envelope.
“This is everything Elena gave me.””
Marcus picked up the envelope.
His name was written across it.
He recognized the handwriting immediately.
But before he could open it, Thomas placed another document on the desk.
“There's something you need to see first.””
It was a hospital medication record.
Marcus looked at the date.
The final week of Elena's life.
Then he noticed the name beside the medication adjustment.
Vanessa Reed.
Marcus looked up.
“Why was Vanessa involved in my wife's medication?””
Thomas's expression darkened.
“Because she was working at the hospital at the time.””
Marcus felt his blood run cold.
Thomas continued.
“She wasn't a nurse. She worked for a private medical supply contractor. But she had access to certain administrative systems.””
Marcus stared at the document.
“Are you saying she had access to Elena's medical records?””
May you like
Thomas nodded.
“And I believe she used that access to change something.””
