Chapter 3: The Driver
For several seconds, I couldn't hear anything except the blood rushing in my ears.
The kitchen seemed to shrink around me.
The counters.
The cabinets.
The birthday decorations still taped to the refrigerator.
A stack of paper plates beside the sink.
All of it looked painfully ordinary.
But my life had stopped being ordinary the moment my mother said Rachel hadn't died from cancer.
I stared at her.
"Say it again.""
My mother wiped her cheeks.
"Rachel died in a car accident.""
"Not that.""
I pointed toward the phone on the counter.
"The message said to ask Melissa who was driving.""
Nobody moved.
I turned to Melissa.
"Who was driving?""
She closed her eyes.
"Daniel...""
"Who?""
Her shoulders shook.
"I didn't kill her.""
The words came so quickly that they barely sounded spoken.
I went still.
"I didn't ask whether you killed her.""
Melissa opened her eyes.
I watched terror move across her face.
"Then why did you say that?""
She couldn't answer.
My mother stepped forward.
"Daniel, you need to calm down.""
"No.""
My voice cracked through the room.
"I have spent eight years being calm.""
I pointed at Melissa.
"Eight years believing this woman loved me.""
Then at my mother.
"Eight years believing my mother would tell me if something was wrong.""
I looked toward the hallway.
"And eight years believing Lily had never been in danger.""
My voice dropped.
"I'm not calming down.""
Melissa sank into a chair.
I remained standing.
"Who was driving?""
She stared at the floor.
"I was.""
The world seemed to stop.
My first thought was that I had misheard her.
"You?""
She nodded.
"I was driving the car that hit Rachel.""
My stomach twisted.
"Then why are you standing here?""
She looked confused.
"Because I survived.""
"No.""
I stepped closer.
"You said you didn't kill her.""
"I didn't.""
"Then what happened?""
Melissa's breathing became uneven.
"I was following her.""
"Why?""
"Because she had left the hospital.""
"Why were you following her?""
"Because she was going to see you.""
I froze.
"When?""
"The night she died.""
I looked at my mother.
She lowered her eyes.
"You knew.""
My mother whispered,
"I knew Melissa was involved.""
"Involved?""
I laughed bitterly.
"That's what we're calling it?""
Melissa stood.
"Daniel, please listen to me.""
"No.""
She stopped.
"You have lied to me for eight years.""
"I was trying to protect you.""
"You took my daughter.""
"I raised her.""
"While knowing she was mine.""
Melissa's face twisted with pain.
"I loved her.""
"That doesn't excuse what you did.""
"I know.""
"Then tell me the truth.""
She nodded.
"I will.""
"All of it.""
"All of it.""
I pointed toward the chair.
"Sit.""
Melissa sat.
My mother remained standing.
I looked at both women.
"No more secrets.""
Melissa took a deep breath.
"Rachel called me the afternoon she died.""
"Why?""
"She said she had changed her mind.""
"About what?""
"About Lily.""
My heart pounded.
"What did she want?""
"She wanted you to know.""
The words hit me harder than anything else.
"She wanted to tell me?""
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't she?""
Melissa started crying.
"Because I convinced her not to.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
"Because Eric had found out about the DNA test.""
I clenched my jaw.
"You said he threatened you.""
"He did.""
"How?""
"He said he'd expose everything.""
"What everything?""
Melissa looked at my mother.
"Everything about Rachel.""
"What did Rachel do?""
"Nothing.""
"Don't protect her now.""
"I'm not.""
Melissa took a shaky breath.
"Rachel and Eric had been fighting for months.""
"About Lily?""
"About you.""
I frowned.
"Me?""
"Eric hated that Rachel still loved you.""
I swallowed.
"Why?""
"Because he believed you had abandoned her.""
"That's not true.""
"I know.""
"Did Rachel tell him I was the father?""
"No.""
"Then how did he know about the test?""
Melissa hesitated.
"Because I told him.""
I stared at her.
"You told Eric?""
"I was frightened.""
"You gave him information about my daughter?""
"I thought I could control the situation.""
"You thought?""
"I was wrong.""
My hands curled into fists.
"What did he do with the information?""
"He confronted Rachel.""
"When?""
"The night before she died.""
"And?""
"They fought.""
"About Lily?""
"About the test.""
Melissa looked toward the window.
"Rachel told Eric that Lily belonged with you.""
My throat tightened.
"She said that?""
"Yes.""
"Did she tell him I was the father?""
"No.""
"Then what did she say?""
Melissa's voice trembled.
"She said, 'Whether Daniel is her father or not, he's the only man I trust to love her without asking for anything in return.''"
I closed my eyes.
For a moment, I could see Rachel as she had been before everything went wrong.
Sitting on a hood of a car.
Laughing at something stupid I had said.
Stealing fries from my plate.
Telling me I'd make a terrible father because I couldn't keep a houseplant alive.
She had wanted a family.
I had always believed I was the one who walked away.
Maybe I had been wrong.
"What happened that night?"" I asked.
Melissa's eyes were fixed on the table.
"Rachel called me after she fought with Eric.""
"Why you?""
"Because she trusted me.""
"And she wanted me.""
"Yes.""
"What did she say?""
Melissa swallowed.
"She said she was going to your house.""
"My old house?""
"Yes.""
I frowned.
"That was eight years ago. I didn't live in Atlanta yet.""
"I know.""
"So how was she going to find me?""
Melissa hesitated.
"She had your address.""
I stared at her.
"How?""
"She got it from Eric.""
That made no sense.
"Eric knew where I lived?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because he had been watching you.""
Cold spread through my chest.
"Watching me?""
"Yes.""
"For how long?""
"I don't know.""
My mother interrupted.
"I do.""
I looked at her.
"How long?""
"Months.""
She sat down slowly.
"Eric believed you had taken Rachel away from him. He convinced himself that you knew about Lily and were planning to take her.""
"I didn't know about Lily.""
"I know.""
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
My mother looked at Melissa.
"Because Rachel asked us not to.""
There it was again.
That promise.
That excuse.
I was beginning to hate the sound of it.
"What happened on the highway?""
Melissa's hands were shaking.
"I followed Rachel.""
"Why?""
"Because she had the test results.""
"She was bringing them to me.""
"Yes.""
"So you followed her.""
"Yes.""
"What were you planning to do?""
"I wanted the paperwork back.""
"Why?""
"Because I was afraid you'd see it.""
"That doesn't explain why you were driving behind her.""
"I was desperate.""
"And desperate enough to crash into her?""
Melissa's head snapped up.
"I didn't crash into her on purpose.""
My mother looked down.
I stared at Melissa.
"Then what happened?""
"There was a curve.""
"Where?""
"Near the interstate.""
"What time?""
"About eleven forty.""
"At night.""
"Yes.""
"Was Rachel driving fast?""
"No.""
"Then what caused the crash?""
Melissa started crying.
"I don't know.""
I didn't say anything.
She looked at me.
"Her car slowed down.""
"Why?""
"I don't know.""
"Did you hit her?""
"Yes.""
"From behind?""
"No.""
"Then how?""
Melissa pressed her palms against her face.
"She stopped in the lane.""
"Why?""
"I don't know.""
"Melissa.""
"I don't know!""
Her scream startled even me.
She lowered her hands.
"I saw her car stop.""
"And you hit her.""
"Yes.""
"Then what?""
"I got out.""
"Was she alive?""
Melissa began shaking.
"Yes.""
My heart sank.
"She was alive?""
"Yes.""
"And you helped her?""
Melissa didn't answer.
"Did you call 911?""
"No.""
I stared at her.
"Why?""
"Because Eric arrived.""
My entire body went cold.
"What?""
"He was there.""
My mother closed her eyes.
I turned toward her.
"You knew Eric was there?""
"Not then.""
Melissa nodded.
"Eric had followed Rachel too.""
I felt sick.
"So all three of you were there.""
"Yes.""
"At the crash.""
"Yes.""
"What happened next?""
Melissa's voice became barely audible.
"Eric pulled Rachel from the car.""
"And?""
"He was furious.""
"At Rachel?""
"At both of us.""
"What did he say?""
"He said she had lied to him.""
"About Lily.""
"Yes.""
I stared at Melissa.
"And Rachel?""
"She kept saying Lily was not his.""
"Did she say whose child she was?""
Melissa shook her head.
"No.""
"Then what happened?""
"Rachel told him to leave.""
"And he did?""
"No.""
"What did he do?""
Melissa looked like she was struggling to breathe.
"He took the test results.""
"Then?""
"He told Rachel she would never see Lily again.""
I felt my pulse racing.
"Was Lily with Rachel?""
"No.""
"Where was she?""
"With me.""
I stopped.
"You had Lily that night?""
Melissa nodded.
"She was sleeping at my apartment.""
My voice became dangerously quiet.
"You had my daughter.""
"I didn't know she was yours for certain.""
"You knew.""
"I suspected.""
"You had her while Rachel was dying.""
"I was trying to protect her.""
"From Eric?""
"Yes.""
"Then why did Rachel go after her?""
Melissa looked at me.
"Because she thought you were the only person who could protect Lily.""
I swallowed.
"And then?""
"Eric threatened Rachel.""
"With what?""
"He had a gun.""
The room went silent.
I stared at her.
"He had a gun?""
"Yes.""
"Did he shoot her?""
"No.""
"Then how did she die?""
Melissa began sobbing.
"He left after taking the papers.""
"What did you do?""
"I called an ambulance.""
My mother looked at her sharply.
"You told me you didn't.""
Melissa shook her head.
"I didn't want to tell anyone.""
"Why?""
"Because I was afraid they would blame me.""
I couldn't speak.
Melissa continued.
"Rachel was conscious.""
"What did she say?""
"She asked about Lily.""
"What did you tell her?""
"I told her Lily was safe.""
"What else?""
"She asked me to promise something.""
"What?""
"She said, 'Don't let Eric find her.''"
I felt a chill move through me.
"What did she say about me?""
Melissa's tears fell silently.
"She said, 'Tell Daniel someday.''"
"Someday?""
"Those were her words.""
"Tell me what?""
"That Lily was his.""
I stood completely still.
"She knew.""
"She believed it.""
"Did she know about the DNA test?""
"Yes.""
"Did she see the results?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
"She died before I could show them to her.""
I stared at Melissa.
"What happened to the test?""
"I kept it.""
"Where?""
She looked at me.
"I still have it.""
My breathing stopped.
"Where?""
"In a safe.""
"What safe?""
"Not here.""
"Where?""
She hesitated.
"At a storage unit.""
I laughed once.
"You've been keeping proof of my daughter in a storage unit for eight years?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because I couldn't destroy it.""
That answer frightened me.
"Why not?""
"Because Rachel trusted me with it.""
"You betrayed her.""
"I know.""
"Then why keep it?""
Melissa looked directly at me.
"Because I was afraid you'd eventually find out.""
"And now?""
"Now I know I can't stop it.""
The phone on the counter vibrated again.
All three of us looked at it.
Another message.
*The storage unit isn't the only thing Melissa kept.*
I grabbed the phone.
My hands shook as I read the next line.
*Ask her about the second DNA test.*
I turned slowly toward Melissa.
She stopped breathing.
"The second DNA test?""
Her face went white.
My mother whispered,
"Melissa...""
Melissa looked at her.
Then at me.
There was no anger left in her expression.
Only defeat.
"I didn't want you to know about that one.""
"What second test?""
"I did another test six years later.""
"Why?""
"Because something changed.""
"What changed?""
Melissa stood.
"Daniel...""
"What changed?""
She looked toward the hallway.
Toward Lily.
"She started asking questions.""
"What questions?""
"About her father.""
My heart cracked.
"What did you tell her?""
"I told her you were her father.""
"Then why were you afraid of a second test?""
Melissa's lips trembled.
"Because Lily's blood type didn't match yours.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
"I thought the first test had been wrong.""
"You said it was conclusive.""
"I believed it was.""
"Then you tested again.""
"Yes.""
"And?""
She looked at me.
"The second test didn't say you were the father.""
I felt like I had been punched.
"Then who was?""
Melissa shook her head.
"It wasn't Eric either.""
My mother stood abruptly.
"What?""
Melissa looked at her.
"The second test identified someone else.""
I could barely breathe.
"Who?""
She opened her mouth.
Before she could answer, the back door flew open.
A man's voice filled the kitchen.
"Don't.""
We all turned.
My mother gasped.
Melissa froze.
And standing in the doorway was a man I hadn't seen in years.
Older.
Thinner.
His face harder than I remembered.
Eric.
My former best friend stared at me.
Then he looked toward the hallway where Lily was.
His eyes softened for only a second.
Then he said,
"Daniel, whatever Melissa tells you next, don't believe her.""
I stepped forward.
"Where have you been?""
Eric didn't answer.
"Why are you here?""
Still nothing.
I pointed toward him.
"You knew about Lily.""
His jaw tightened.
"Yes.""
"You knew about the first DNA test.""
"Yes.""
"You were at the crash.""
He looked at Melissa.
"She told you that?""
"Yes.""
Eric's face changed.
"Then she's finally admitting part of it.""
Melissa shouted,
"Don't you dare!""
Eric ignored her.
He looked directly at me.
"I wasn't the only one following Rachel that night.""
My stomach dropped.
"Who else?""
Eric took a step into the kitchen.
"I don't know his name.""
"Whose name?""
"The man driving the black SUV.""
I stared at him.
"What black SUV?""
"The one that forced Rachel to stop.""
The room went silent.
"You said Melissa hit her.""
"She did.""
"Then what does an SUV have to do with it?""
Eric's eyes hardened.
"Everything.""
I waited.
He looked toward the hallway again.
"Rachel wasn't in that accident by chance.""
My voice dropped.
"Then what was it?""
Eric looked at Melissa.
"She was being chased.""
Melissa began crying.
Eric took another step toward me.
"And the man in the SUV wasn't after Rachel.""
He paused.
"He was after Lily.""
The blood drained from my face.
"Why?""
Eric's expression told me he didn't want to say it.
But he did.
"Because Lily wasn't supposed to survive.""
My heart stopped.
Before anyone could respond, a bedroom door opened down the hallway.
Lily's frightened voice floated toward us.
"Daddy?""
I turned immediately.
She stood at the end of the hall.
And behind her stood my mother.
But my mother's face was suddenly terrified.
She wasn't looking at me.
She was looking past me.
At the kitchen window.
I followed her gaze.
A black SUV was parked across the street.
Engine running.
Headlights off.
Watching the house.
Eric saw it too.
His entire expression changed.
"Get the kids away from the windows.""
I grabbed Lily.
"What is happening?""
Eric moved toward the front of the house.
"He's here.""
"Who?""
Eric looked at me.
May you like
"The man who has been searching for Lily for eight years.""
And then the headlights of the SUV turned on.
