Chapter 8 - THE CHILD THEY STOLE
Madeline couldn't speak.
Her father had been dead for years.
Yet somehow a child connected to him had been hidden inside her home.
Rachel explained everything.
Cynthia had been pregnant after an affair with a powerful businessman.
That man was believed to be Madeline's father.
But the story wasn't complete.
Cynthia had discovered the truth shortly before Austin was born.
Noelle had intercepted the medical records.
She had arranged a false identity.
Austin became “Cynthia's nephew.”
Then she used him as part of her plan to control Liam's trust.
But why?
Rachel had an answer.
“Your father had another heir.”
Madeline stared.
“Austin.”
“Yes.”
“If Austin was my father's biological son, then he had inheritance rights.”
“Exactly.”
Madeline looked at Austin.
The little boy didn't understand any of it.
He was playing with a toy car.
Madeline's heart hurt.
He was another innocent child trapped in the same nightmare.
She walked toward him.
“Austin?”
He looked up.
“Where's Mommy?”
Madeline knelt.
“She'll come back.”
“Promise?”
Madeline nodded.
“I promise.”
Then Austin asked,
“Are you my sister?”
Madeline froze.
Rachel looked at her.
“How did he know?”
Austin shrugged.
“Cynthia told me.”
Madeline hugged him.
For the first time, she understood.
The children had both been victims.
Liam had been punished because of the trust.
Austin had been hidden because of his bloodline.
And Noelle had manipulated everyone.
But there was one person missing.
Noelle.
She had been released temporarily because of insufficient evidence.
Rachel frowned.
“She shouldn't have been released.”
Madeline's phone rang.
No caller ID.
She answered.
A man's voice said,
“You're looking for the truth about your father.”
“Who are you?”
“The man who knows why he died.”
“Tell me.”
“You're not ready.”
“I am.”
A pause.
“Then come alone.”
“Where?”
“Your father's old warehouse.”
The line disconnected.
Madeline told Rachel.
“You're not going alone.”
“I have to.”
“No.”
Madeline looked at Liam.
Then Austin.
“Someone has to end this.”
They went together.
At the warehouse, a man waited.
He was in his sixties.
Madeline recognized him from an old photograph.
“Mr. Harris?”
He nodded.
“I worked for your father.”
“What happened to him?”
He handed her a file.
“Your father discovered that Noelle was laundering money through Jeffrey's company.”
Madeline opened it.
There were bank records.
Photographs.
Names.
Then she saw one name.
Cynthia.
“She was working for my father?”
“Yes.”
“So why did she become involved with Jeffrey?”
“She was trying to protect Austin.”
Madeline stared.
“What about the night my father died?”
Harris looked down.
“He wasn't alone.”
“Who was with him?”
“Jeffrey's father.”
Madeline's blood froze.
“My father-in-law?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“They argued.”
“About Noelle?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Harris looked at her.
“About you.”
Madeline's breath caught.
“Your father wanted to expose the entire family.”
“And Jeffrey's father stopped him.”
“How?”
Harris hesitated.
“He didn't kill him.”
“Then who did?”
Harris whispered,
“Noelle.”
A gunshot suddenly shattered the warehouse window.
Everyone ducked.
Madeline pulled Liam close.
Rachel shouted,
“Down!”
Another shot.
Harris fell.
Madeline screamed.
Police sirens approached.
The shooter fled.
But before Harris lost consciousness, he grabbed Madeline's wrist.
“There is one final recording.”
“Where?”
“Your father's house.”
Then he collapsed.
Madeline stared at the blood on her hands.
May you like
She knew the truth wasn't over.
It had only become more dangerous.
