Chapter 27
I am doing so voluntarily.
I do not believe he intends harm to me, but I have learned enough about fear to stop testing it.
I glanced up.
Alexander’s expression was unreadable.
I continued.
Eleanor deserves the truth, but she will not accept it from me now.
Daniel knows some of it.
He does not know all.
Clara may someday need to understand why I stayed away.
My hands began to tremble.
Then came the sentence that changed everything again.
I am not Clara’s father.
I stared.
Read it again.
Then looked at Alexander.
He had already seen it.
My pulse hammered.
The letter continued.
I allowed Eleanor to believe there was a possibility because Charles demanded it, and because at the time I believed the lie would protect you.
You.
Who was you?
Alexander?
My mother?
Me?
The next paragraph answered.
Charles believed that if Eleanor thought there were multiple possible fathers, she would never risk identifying the real one publicly.
I stopped breathing.
Dana leaned closer.
“Keep going.”
Thomas wrote:
The truth is that Clara’s paternity was never uncertain.
Eleanor knew.
Daniel knew.
I knew.
And eventually Charles knew too.
Alexander whispered, “Oh, God.”
My eyes raced to the final paragraph.
I cannot tell you everything in this letter.
If Charles intercepts it, too many people will be exposed.
But there is one fact you must remember.
Clara was not hidden because her father was ashamed of her.
She was hidden because proving who her father was would also prove who authorized the trust transfers.
I lowered the page.
The room had become silent except for the hum of the ventilation system.
“This isn’t about a love affair,” I said.
Dana nodded.
“It’s about evidence.”
Alexander looked pale.
I turned the page.
There was only one line on the second sheet.
Find Margaret’s original beneficiary ledger.
Alexander stared at the words.
“My mother’s ledger.”
“Where is it?”
“I don’t know.”
Dana asked, “Did she keep private financial records?”
“Always.”
“Where?”
Alexander shook his head.
“After her death, Charles handled the estate.”
The significance landed between us.
If Margaret’s ledger existed, Charles may have had access to it.
If he had altered or hidden it, it might explain the trust.
And somehow, according to Thomas, it might also reveal my biological father.
Mrs. Chen, who had quietly remained by the door, cleared her throat.
“Mr. Vance?”
Alexander turned.
“There is something you should see.”