Chapter 10: The Grandson Who Walked Through the Door
Daniel Hayes couldn't take his eyes off the photograph.
Two newborn babies.
Two identical birthmarks.
Two names written in his mother's handwriting.
Richard and Daniel.
He slowly lowered himself into a chair.
“No,” he whispered.
Eleanor Price placed the photograph on the desk.
“Daniel, I understand this is difficult. But the documents suggest that you and Richard were born as twins.””
Daniel shook his head.
“My mother told me I was adopted when I was six. She said my birth parents had died in a car accident.””
Margaret looked at him.
“Your mother's name?””
“Patricia Hayes.””
Eleanor checked the file.
“Patricia Hayes was listed as your adoptive mother. She received custody through a private adoption agency in Pennsylvania.””
Daniel stared at the photograph.
“My parents never had money. My dad worked construction. My mother cleaned offices. They raised me with everything they had.””
His voice cracked.
“Are you telling me they lied?””
Eleanor shook her head.
“Not necessarily. They may have been given the same story you were.””
Margaret approached him slowly.
“May I see your face?””
Daniel looked up.
She studied his eyes, his nose, the shape of his chin.
Then she reached for his left ear.
There it was.
A small birthmark, barely visible beneath his hair.
Margaret covered her mouth.
“Oh, my goodness.””
Daniel leaned away slightly.
“Please don't.””
She immediately withdrew her hand.
“I'm sorry.””
Marcus stood near the window, watching his friend struggle.
He had known Daniel for fourteen years. He had seen him fight through a broken leg, lose his father, and rebuild his life after a failed marriage.
But he'd never seen him look this frightened.
Ethan picked up the adoption record.
“There's a date here.””
He read it aloud.
“December 18, 1978.””
Margaret looked at Eleanor.
“That was the year Frank and I adopted Richard.””
Eleanor nodded.
“According to the records, both boys were placed through separate arrangements within three weeks of their birth.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Why were we separated?””
Eleanor opened Helen's letter again.
“She was young. Thomas Bell refused to acknowledge the children publicly. Frank and Margaret had been unable to have children for years. Helen believed she was giving Richard a chance at a stable home.””
Margaret began crying.
“We never knew he had a brother.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Neither did I.””
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Daniel stood.
“I need some air.””
Marcus followed him outside.
The November wind cut through the driveway.
Daniel leaned against the porch railing.
“Fourteen years, Marcus. Fourteen years I've known you. We've ridden thousands of miles together.””
Marcus nodded.
“And?””
“And you watched me complain about having no family. You watched me spend Thanksgiving alone after my parents died.””
Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder.
“None of us knew.””
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“Imagine finding out your entire life was built around a lie.””
Marcus looked toward the illuminated windows.
“Your adoptive parents raised you. They loved you. That part isn't a lie.””
Daniel stared at the darkness.
“I know.””
His voice broke.
“But there's a woman inside that house who might be my grandmother. And I don't know whether I can look at her without thinking about everything I missed.””
Marcus didn't rush to answer.
Finally, he said, “You don't have to decide anything tonight.””
Inside, Margaret was reading the adoption records.
Eleanor had found another document.
A letter from Helen to Frank, dated two years after the adoption.
Please tell Margaret that I never stopped loving my boys. I watch from a distance because I promised Thomas I would never interfere.
Margaret looked up.
“Did my sister ever visit?””
Eleanor nodded.
“Once. Shortly after the adoption.””
Margaret stared.
“Where?””
“Frank's office. She watched Richard through the window while he was playing in the garden.””
Margaret's eyes filled.
“And I never knew.””
Lily sat beside her grandmother.
“Grandma, you were still his mother. Nothing changes that.””
Margaret kissed her forehead.
“Thank you, sweetheart.””
Peter Walsh approached Eleanor.
“We need to discuss the financial documents.””
Eleanor nodded.
“Agreed. But there's another problem.””
She placed a photocopy of an old bank transfer on the desk.
“Frank discovered that Thomas Bell had been moving money from an account belonging to Helen's family trust.””
Margaret frowned.
“What family trust?””
Eleanor pointed to the account holder.
*H. Whitmore Family Estate.*
The account had been established decades earlier by Margaret and Helen's parents.
Ethan examined the transfer.
“Someone withdrew nearly $900,000.””
Peter nodded.
“Over several years.””
Margaret looked stunned.
“My parents weren't wealthy.””
Eleanor turned another page.
“Your father owned several commercial properties. After his death, the assets were supposed to be divided equally between you and Helen.””
Margaret shook her head.
“I received a small inheritance. Helen received nothing.””
Eleanor's expression hardened.
“Then somebody may have concealed a substantial portion of the estate.””
Daniel returned to the room.
He had heard the last sentence.
“Are you saying Thomas stole from my mother, too?””
Eleanor looked at him.
“Possibly.””
Daniel's hands curled into fists.
“Where is he?””
Peter answered.
“We don't know.””
But Daniel's phone suddenly vibrated.
An unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A man's voice came through.
“Daniel Hayes?””
“Yes.””
“This is Thomas Bell.””
Daniel froze.
Marcus immediately stepped closer.
Thomas continued.
“I understand you've been asking questions about your family.””
Daniel's voice became cold.
“Who are you to me?””
A pause.
Then Thomas answered.
“I'm your father.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
Thomas continued.
“And before you make any decisions, you should know something about your brother.””
“What?””
“Richard wasn't the only child Helen gave birth to.””
Daniel stared at the phone.
Thomas lowered his voice.
May you like
“Your mother had a third child.””
The call ended.
