Chapter 7: The Woman Behind Everything
For several seconds, I couldn't move.
Martin Cole stood beside the head table, his blue folder open, while three hundred wedding guests watched my family unravel.
My mother was standing near the staircase.
Vanessa was beside a police officer.
Daniel was holding Lily's hand for the first time in eighteen months.
And I was staring at a photograph of the woman who had raised me.
Patricia Bennett.
My mother.
The photograph showed her entering a small office building with Martin Cole. The date printed beneath it was October 12, six years earlier.
The same day she had told me my father was dead.
"That's impossible," I whispered.
Martin closed the folder.
"I wish it were.""
My mother stepped forward.
"Martin, you need to stop.""
He didn't look at her.
"Patricia, you've had six years to explain yourself.""
"Those photographs prove nothing.""
"Then perhaps the bank statements will.""
He removed another document.
"This is a record of a transfer made three days after Richard disappeared. One hundred and eighty thousand dollars moved from an account belonging to the Bennett family trust into a company registered under your name.""
My mother shook her head.
"That money was mine.""
"Richard established the trust for Claire and Vanessa.""
I stared at her.
"What trust?""
Martin looked at me.
"Your father created separate accounts for both daughters. He wanted to make sure neither of you would struggle financially.""
I remembered my father's old promises.
When I was seventeen, he'd told me that one day I'd have enough money to choose my own future.
My mother had always laughed at him.
"Your father loved making promises," she used to say.
"He never knew how the real world worked.""
Apparently, he'd been telling the truth.
"How much?"" I asked.
Martin hesitated.
"Your original share was worth approximately four hundred thousand dollars.""
I felt dizzy.
Four hundred thousand dollars.
I had worked two jobs during college. I'd spent years worrying about rent, groceries, and Lily's medical bills.
Meanwhile, money intended for me had been sitting in an account my mother controlled.
"Where is it now?""
"Most of it was transferred through several companies. Some went toward Vanessa's business. Some went into Patricia's personal accounts.""
Vanessa suddenly laughed.
"You're making it sound like Mom stole everything.""
Martin turned toward her.
"You signed the transfers.""
"Because Mom told me they were approved!""
My mother snapped.
"Don't you dare put this on me!""
The guests murmured.
I looked between them.
There was no sisterhood left in that ballroom.
Only two women desperately trying to make the other one carry the blame.
Graham approached Martin.
"Why did you bring this folder tonight?""
"Because I received a message yesterday.""
"From whom?""
Martin looked toward Lily.
"From a little girl.""
I turned sharply.
"What?""
Martin nodded.
"She found my business card inside the old laptop. She sent me an email asking whether I knew a man named Richard Bennett.""
I looked at Lily.
She nodded timidly.
"I used Mom's computer.""
I knelt beside her.
"You contacted a stranger?""
"He said he knew Grandpa.""
My heart clenched.
Martin continued.
"I recognized the name immediately. I told her not to touch anything else and asked her to wait for me.""
"Then why didn't you contact me?""
"I tried. Your number was disconnected.""
I remembered changing my phone number after Daniel left.
Martin looked uncomfortable.
"By the time I located your address, Patricia had already visited your apartment.""
I looked toward my mother.
She stared at Lily.
"You little liar.""
I stepped between them.
"Don't you dare.""
My daughter started crying.
I held her against my chest.
Martin waited until she had calmed down.
Then he opened the blue folder again.
"There's another reason I came tonight. Richard left something for Claire.""
He pulled out a small silver key.
My hands began shaking.
"Where is my father?""
Martin looked down.
"He's alive.""
I covered my mouth.
"Where?""
"I don't know his exact location. But I know he was trying to return to Newport.""
"Why didn't he?""
Martin glanced at Patricia.
"Because someone sent him a letter telling him Claire had been arrested for financial fraud.""
I stared.
"What?""
"Someone forged a document showing that you had been charged with stealing from the foundation. Richard believed contacting you would make things worse.""
I looked toward my mother.
She didn't deny it.
Instead, she said something that made my blood turn cold.
"He should have stayed away.""
Martin's expression hardened.
"That's what you told him the first time. You said you'd make sure Claire lost Lily if he ever came back.""
My mother suddenly lunged toward the folder.
A police officer caught her arm.
"Ma'am, step back.""
"Those documents are private!""
The officer moved her away.
Vanessa began crying.
"Mom, just tell them everything.""
My mother turned toward her.
"You've already ruined enough!""
Graham removed his jacket and placed it over a chair.
"I want the wedding guests to leave.""
The wedding coordinator immediately began guiding people toward the exits.
But before anyone could move, Martin placed a final photograph on the table.
It showed Patricia standing outside a hospital.
Beside her was a man in a dark suit.
I recognized him.
The same man who had attended Lily's fourth birthday.
The same man whose face had appeared in the insurance photograph.
I pointed.
"Who is he?""
Martin answered quietly.
"His name is Edward Shaw. He was the attorney who arranged Lily's insurance policy.""
"And why was he at my daughter's birthday?""
Martin looked at me.
"Because he wasn't there to celebrate.""
He turned the photograph over.
There was a handwritten note.
*Beneficiary change approved. Child must remain unaware.*
I felt my stomach twist.
"Beneficiary change?""
Martin nodded.
"Someone changed the policy's beneficiary six months after it was issued.""
"To whom?""
He looked toward my mother.
Patricia's face crumpled.
"Claire, please. You don't understand.""
I stepped closer.
"Tell me who.""
She whispered the name.
"Vanessa.""
My sister closed her eyes.
May you like
And then Martin revealed the final detail.
"The policy was worth five million dollars.""
