Chapter 4 - AUSTIN'S SECRET
By morning, Madeline had made three decisions.
She would protect Liam.
She would uncover the truth.
And she would never trust Jeffrey again.
She called an attorney before breakfast.
Her name was Rachel Bennett.
Rachel had represented Madeline's father years earlier and had always warned her about Jeffrey's family.
When Rachel arrived, she took one look at Liam and immediately understood that something was wrong.
She didn't ask too many questions.
She simply crouched several feet away.
“Hi, Liam.”
Liam hid behind Madeline.
Rachel smiled.
“That's okay. You don't have to talk to me.”
Liam peeked out.
Madeline felt something loosen inside her.
Someone finally understood.
Rachel reviewed the documents.
Her expression became increasingly serious.
“This is bigger than neglect.”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone deliberately constructed a case against you.”
“Why?”
Rachel pointed to the custody document.
“Because if you were declared unfit, Jeffrey could control Liam's trust.”
Madeline stared.
“What trust?”
Rachel looked at her.
“You didn't know?”
“No.”
Rachel opened another document.
“Your father created a trust for Liam worth approximately eight million dollars.”
Madeline's eyes widened.
“My father died before Liam was born.”
“Yes. And the trust became accessible when Liam turned four.”
Madeline's blood ran cold.
“His fourth birthday was last month.”
Rachel nodded.
“Exactly.”
Madeline suddenly understood.
“This wasn't about Cynthia.”
“Not entirely.”
Rachel leaned forward.
“Someone wanted legal control of your son before the trust became active.”
Madeline looked toward the hallway.
“Jeffrey.”
“Possibly.”
“His mother.”
“Possibly.”
“And Cynthia?”
Rachel didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Later that afternoon, Madeline watched security footage from the house.
She discovered cameras she hadn't known existed.
One showed Liam being locked outside the kitchen.
Another showed Noelle taking food away from him.
Another showed Cynthia telling him that his mother didn't love him.
But then Rachel paused one recording.
“Look.”
On the screen, Jeffrey entered the room.
Cynthia was holding Liam's arm.
Jeffrey immediately looked uncomfortable.
“Don't do that.”
Cynthia released him.
“You're getting soft.”
Jeffrey walked away.
Madeline's eyes filled with tears.
He hadn't stopped it.
But he had known.
Then the footage showed something unexpected.
Jeffrey returned twenty minutes later.
He placed food beside Liam.
He looked around.
Then whispered,
“I'm sorry.”
Madeline stared.
Rachel paused the footage.
“He knew.”
“But he was afraid.”
“Afraid of his mother?”
Rachel nodded.
“Maybe.”
Madeline remembered Noelle's words.
Ask Jeffrey who Austin's father really is.
That evening, she confronted him.
“Who is Austin's father?”
Jeffrey froze.
“Why are you asking?”
“Because your mother told me to.”
His face changed.
“Don't listen to her.”
“Then tell me.”
He sat down.
For the first time, he looked exhausted.
“Austin isn't Cynthia's nephew.”
“I know.”
“He's my son.”
Madeline felt as though someone had punched her.
She stared at him.
“Your son?”
Jeffrey nodded.
“I found out after you left.”
“After I left?”
“Cynthia was pregnant.”
Madeline laughed once.
It was a broken sound.
“So she was your mistress.”
“Yes.”
“And Austin is your child.”
“Yes.”
“And your mother knew.”
“Yes.”
Madeline's voice trembled.
“Then why did you tell everyone he was Cynthia's nephew?”
“Because I didn't want the scandal.”
She stared at him.
“You destroyed our family to protect your reputation.”
Jeffrey lowered his head.
“I was going to tell you.”
“When?”
He had no answer.
Madeline walked away.
Then Jeffrey said something that stopped her.
“There was another reason.”
She turned.
“My mother wanted Austin to inherit Liam's trust.”
Madeline's eyes narrowed.
“How?”
“She planned to have you declared unfit.”
“And then?”
“Liam would be placed under my guardianship.”
“And Austin?”
Jeffrey swallowed.
“My mother wanted the trust transferred.”
Madeline felt sick.
“Why would she do that?”
Jeffrey looked at her.
“Because Austin isn't really her grandson.”
“What?”
“My mother never accepted Cynthia.”
He paused.
“Austin's father isn't me.”
Madeline stared.
“Then whose child is he?”
Jeffrey's face went pale.
“I don't know.”
A noise came from the hallway.
They both turned.
Cynthia was standing there.
She had heard everything.
Her face was white.
May you like
Then she whispered,
“You weren't supposed to tell her.”
