Chapter 13: The Bloodline Nobody Wanted Revealed
"Daniel, put the phone down.""
My father's voice sounded strangely distant.
I stared at the message from Rachel.
She had found Helen.
She knew about Victor Hale.
And she wanted the original Northbridge key.
I looked at Dad.
"Is it true?""
He didn't answer.
"Is Victor Hale my biological father?""
Dad slowly lowered himself into a chair.
"Yes.""
The word seemed to drain all the air from the room.
Mom began crying.
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Andrew stared at the floor.
Michael, however, looked almost relieved.
"You finally know," he said.
I turned toward him.
"You knew?""
Michael nodded.
"Two months ago. I found the original hospital records.""
"And you didn't tell me?""
"I was trying to figure out what to do.""
I laughed bitterly.
"That's convenient.""
Michael stepped closer.
"Daniel, listen. Victor wasn't the man you think he was.""
I grabbed his jacket.
"Then tell me who he was!""
"He was Dad's younger brother. He worked with him for years, but they had a falling-out over the company.""
Dad interrupted.
"That's not the whole story.""
I released Michael.
Dad looked at me with exhausted eyes.
"Victor was involved with Helen before she gave birth to you. They were together for years. But when she became pregnant, Victor refused to acknowledge the child publicly.""
I stared.
"Why?""
"Because he was married.""
I looked at Mom.
She nodded slowly.
"Your grandfather was furious when he discovered the affair. He wanted the scandal buried.""
Dad continued.
"Victor eventually agreed to give up his parental rights. Your grandfather paid Helen to let Robert and Margaret raise you.""
"Paid her how much?""
"Enough to start a new life.""
I looked at Mom.
"Did you know?""
She shook her head.
"Your father told me you were the child of a distant relative who had died during childbirth. I believed him.""
Dad lowered his eyes.
"I should have told you.""
"Yes. You should have.""
I stepped away.
For forty-two years, I had believed I was the son of two people who had chosen to have me.
Now I was learning that my biological father had been a secret, my adoption had been purchased, and my entire family had built its history around a lie.
But there was something worse.
Victor had been murdered.
And Rachel knew the truth.
I picked up my phone.
I called her.
She answered on the first ring.
"Hello, sweetheart.""
"Where's Helen?""
"Safe.""
"Put her on the phone.""
"Bring the key.""
"Rachel, listen to me. The police know about the threats. You're not getting away with this.""
She laughed.
"Daniel, you still think this is about getting away with something.""
"Then what is it about?""
"It's about finishing what your family started.""
I looked at Dad.
"Did you kill Victor?""
There was a pause.
Then Rachel answered.
"Ask your father why he let Victor die.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"Put Helen on.""
"Midnight. The old church. Come alone.""
"Rachel—"
She hung up.
I turned toward Dad.
"What did she mean?""
He looked away.
Andrew stood.
"Robert, tell him.""
Dad closed his eyes.
"Victor was already dead when I regained consciousness in the hospital.""
I stared.
"What?""
"He had been visiting me that night. He was supposed to help me expose Michael's financial fraud. But someone attacked him before he could leave.""
"Who?""
Dad shook his head.
"I don't know.""
Michael laughed.
"Of course you don't.""
Dad looked at him.
"Michael, not now.""
"No. Now is exactly the time.""
Michael stepped toward me.
"Your father knows who killed Victor. He just doesn't want to admit it.""
I turned toward Dad.
"Who?""
He remained silent.
Michael pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket.
"Read this.""
It was a hospital incident report.
Victor Hale had been brought in at 11:42 p.m.
The recorded cause of death was blunt-force trauma.
But the most disturbing detail appeared beneath the medical notes.
The attending physician had signed the report.
Dr. Robert Carter.
My father's name.
I looked up.
Dad's eyes filled with tears.
"I didn't kill him.""
"Then why did you sign this?""
"Because I was told Victor had died before he reached the hospital.""
I examined the report again.
The signature was genuine.
But the date was three days before my father was declared dead.
I looked at Evelyn.
"Can you verify this?""
She took the document and examined it carefully.
Then she pointed to a line.
"This isn't a normal hospital report.""
"What do you mean?""
"Look at the admission code.""
She turned the paper toward Dad.
"This code belongs to a private facility.""
Dad nodded.
"That's where Victor was taken.""
Evelyn's face changed.
"That facility closed five years ago.""
I felt a chill.
"Why?""
She looked at the document again.
"Because its director was convicted of falsifying patient records.""
I turned toward Michael.
"Where did you get this?""
He hesitated.
"From Rachel.""
I stared at him.
"You're still working with her?""
"No.""
"Then why do you have her documents?""
Michael looked at Mom.
"Because she asked me to help her find Helen.""
Mom stepped backward.
"You knew where Helen was?""
Michael nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did you tell Rachel?""
He didn't answer.
That was enough.
Mom slapped him.
"You helped her take another woman?""
Michael lowered his head.
"I'm sorry.""
"Sorry?"" Mom cried.
"You helped destroy this family!""
Michael looked at me.
"Daniel, there's something else. Rachel didn't come up with the entire plan. Victoria did.""
I turned toward my aunt.
She had been standing quietly near the staircase.
Now she smiled.
"Your brother is finally telling the truth.""
The police officer moved toward her.
"Mrs. Carter, I need you to come with us.""
Victoria raised both hands.
"Of course.""
But before she walked away, she leaned toward me.
"One last thing, Daniel.""
I looked at her.
"Your wife isn't trying to steal the Northbridge inheritance anymore.""
"What is she trying to do?""
Victoria's smile disappeared.
"She's trying to make sure nobody discovers who actually owns it.""
She was escorted outside.
I turned toward Dad.
"Who owns it?""
He looked at Evelyn.
Then at me.
"Victor.""
I stared.
"Victor is dead.""
Dad shook his head.
"That's what everyone believes.""
He reached into his pocket and removed a small photograph.
It showed Victor sitting in a hospital bed.
His eyes were open.
May you like
And beside him stood Rachel.
The date on the photograph was yesterday.
