[CHAPTER 4]
Daniel wanted to confront Margaret.
I told him not to.
He did it anyway.
I knew because Rachel and I were sitting at her kitchen table when my phone lit up with twelve missed calls.
All from Daniel.
Then one text.
I think she admitted it.
I called him immediately.
“What happened?”
For several seconds, all I heard was his breathing.
“Where are you?”
“At the house.”
“Whose house?”
“My mother's.”
“Daniel.”
“She wasn't supposed to be here.”
“What does that mean?”
“The police released the property after they finished collecting evidence. I came for Dad's documents.”
“And Margaret?”
“She was waiting.”
I stood.
Rachel looked at me.
I raised a finger, telling her to wait.
“What did she say?”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“She asked whether you sent me.”
“What?”
“She thinks you're trying to destroy her.”
“I'm trying to protect Sophie.”
“I know.”
The way he said it made me pause.
Not defensive.
Not sarcastic.
Just ashamed.
“Tell me what happened.”
“I showed her the picture.”
“And?”
“She said Victor was obsessed with her.”
“Was he?”
“She wouldn't answer.”
“Did you ask if he's your father?”
“Yes.”
My stomach tightened.
“And?”
Daniel was silent too long.
“Daniel.”
“She said Richard raised me.”
I closed my eyes.
“That wasn't the question.”
“I know.”
“What exactly did you ask?”
“I asked, ‘Is Victor Hale my biological father?’”
“And she said?”
“‘Richard raised you.’”
Rachel saw my face.
“What?” she mouthed.
I shook my head.
Daniel continued.
“Then she told me DNA doesn't determine family.”
The irony was so ugly I almost laughed.
“The woman who chained Sophie because she claimed Sophie wasn't yours said DNA doesn't determine family?”
“Yes.”
“Did you point that out?”
“Yes.”
“What did she say?”
“That Sophie is different.”
“Of course.”
“She kept saying I didn't understand what was at stake.”
“What is at stake?”
“I don't know.”
“Money?”
“Probably.”
That answer came too fast.
“You know something.”
“I found Dad's trust.”
My pulse jumped.
“What trust?”
“The family trust.”
I knew Richard had left assets to Daniel.
I didn't know details because Margaret had always handled them.
Daniel did too.
Margaret had been trustee for years.
“What did you find?”
“There was an amendment signed three months before Dad died.”
I sat back down.
“What kind of amendment?”
“Every legally recognized child of mine and every lawful descendant of that child.”
Daniel paused.
“Those are the exact words.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning Sophie qualifies whether I'm Richard's biological son or not.”
“Then why would Margaret care?”
“Because Sophie's fifth birthday triggered an independent accounting.”
I frowned.
“An accounting of what?”
“The portion of the trust reserved for my descendants.”
I felt cold.
“Sophie turned five yesterday.”
“Yes.”
“And the trust has to be audited because of that?”
“Yes.”
“How much money are we talking about?”
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
“Daniel.”
“Almost four million dollars.”
I stood again.
Rachel's eyes widened when she heard me repeat it.
“Four million?”
“It's not cash she gets now. It's a protected trust.”
“I don't care what form it takes. Why didn't I know?”
“Because I didn't know.”
“How do you not know?”
“My mother handled the estate.”
I covered my face.
“Daniel, you've signed documents for her for years.”
“I know.”
“Stop saying that!”
My voice made Sophie look up from the living room.
I immediately lowered it.
“Sorry.”
Daniel whispered, “You're right.”
I walked toward the hallway.
“What happens during the accounting?”
“An outside trustee reviews every transaction.”
There it was.
The fear.
The DNA test wasn't the real threat.
Sophie turning five was.
Margaret had spent months convincing Daniel that Sophie wasn't his child.
If Daniel challenged Sophie's paternity, Margaret could delay recognition of Sophie as a beneficiary.
Delay the accounting.
Maybe stop it.
“How long has Margaret known?”
“About the trust provision?”
“Yes.”
“Since Dad died.”
“And when did she start questioning Sophie?”
Daniel understood.
“Six months ago.”
“After Sophie's birthday invitations went out.”
“Claire.”
“Think.”
“I am.”
“No. Really think.”
I paced the hallway.
“She told you Sophie wasn't yours. She pushed it until you doubted me. She probably hoped you'd challenge paternity legally.”
Daniel went silent.
“And if I had?”
“The audit might have been delayed.”
“For months.”
“Maybe longer.”
Rachel was listening now.
She whispered, “Money.”
I nodded.
Daniel's voice became quieter.
“There could be missing money.”
“How much?”
“I don't know.”
“Find out.”
“I already called the independent trustee named in Dad's amendment.”
“And?”
“He's coming tomorrow.”
My chest tightened.
“Who?”
“Thomas Reed. He was Dad's attorney.”
I knew that name.
Barely.
Richard had once called Thomas the only lawyer he trusted.
“Good.”
“Claire.”
“What?”
“I need to tell you something else.”
I waited.
“When I confronted Mom, she said something about Dad.”
“What?”
“She said he knew.”
“Knew what?”
“About Victor.”
“That doesn't make sense.”
“She said, ‘Richard knew exactly what you were, and he made his choice.’”
Daniel's voice cracked.
“I don't know what that means.”
I softened despite myself.
“Daniel.”
“I spent my whole life trying to be like him.”
“Richard loved you.”
“You don't know that.”
“Yes, I do.”
“How?”
“Because I watched him with you.”
Daniel went quiet.
Richard Bennett had been stern.
Reserved.
Old-fashioned.
But when Daniel entered a room, Richard's eyes always found him.
When Sophie was born, Richard cried before anyone else.
Biology couldn't erase that.
Before I could say more, Rachel came toward me.
Her face had changed.
She held her phone.
“What?”
She showed me the screen.
A local community Facebook page.
Margaret's photograph filled the post.
Under it was a long statement.
Rachel whispered, “She posted this ten minutes ago.”
I read.
My daughter-in-law physically attacked me at my granddaughter's birthday party after experiencing what appears to be an emotional breakdown.
My stomach turned.
It continued.
Out of concern for my granddaughter's safety, our family has contacted the proper authorities.
I stopped reading.
“She's calling you dangerous,” Rachel said.
I scrolled farther.
Then I saw the final line.
Until Claire receives professional help, I will do everything legally possible to ensure Sophie remains protected.
Daniel was still on the phone.
May you like
I put him on speaker.
“Your mother just declared war.”
