Chapter 6: The Best Friend Who Was Never a Stranger
Sarah didn't sleep that night.
She sat on the edge of her childhood bed, holding the wedding photograph.
Rachel Morgan.
Her best friend for four years.
The woman who had stood beside her at the altar, helped her choose her wedding dress, and cried harder than anyone when Sarah exchanged vows with Ben.
Her sister.
It was impossible.
Yet her father had recognized the truth before Sarah had even asked.
“Why didn't you tell me?”” she whispered.
Thomas stood by the bedroom door.
“Because your mother made me promise.””
Sarah laughed bitterly.
“Apparently, everyone in this family makes promises except the person who actually needs to know the truth.””
“Your mother believed you were safer not knowing.””
“Safer from what?””
Thomas walked to the window.
“Daniel Reed.””
Sarah looked down at the birth certificate.
“Who is he?””
“Your biological father.””
“You're my father.””
Thomas turned.
“I raised you. I loved you. I was there for every birthday, every school performance, every scraped knee.””
“Then why does the document say he was my biological father?””
Thomas sat beside her.
“Your mother was pregnant when we met. Daniel was a dangerous man. He was involved in financial fraud and had connections to people who could make problems disappear.””
Sarah stared at him.
“So you married Mom knowing she had another man's child?””
“I loved her.””
“And Rachel?””
Thomas nodded.
“She was born six minutes after you.””
Sarah looked at the photograph again.
“Why did Mom give her away?””
“Because Daniel wanted both children.””
“Why?””
“Because he believed your mother had hidden money that belonged to him.””
Sarah felt sick.
Thomas continued.
“Your mother arranged for Rachel to be adopted by a family in another state. You stayed with us. We changed the records and tried to build a normal life.””
“And Rachel grew up not knowing she had a sister?””
Thomas looked away.
“Your mother found her years later.””
“When?””
“About five years ago.””
Sarah's mind raced.
Five years.
That was before Rachel had entered her life.
“Did Mom bring her here?””
“Yes.””
“And she became my best friend?””
Thomas nodded.
Sarah stood.
“Was that an accident?””
Thomas didn't answer.
She grabbed her coat.
“Where are you going?””
“To find Rachel.””
“Sarah, wait.””
“No more secrets, Dad.””
He reached for her arm.
“There's something else.””
She stopped.
“Your mother didn't disappear because of Daniel.””
Sarah slowly turned.
“Then why?””
Thomas's eyes filled with tears.
“Because she discovered who had been stealing from the trust.””
“Who?””
He looked toward the stairs.
“Someone who had access to every account.””
Sarah's phone vibrated.
A message from Rachel.
*Rachel:* I know you've spoken to your father.
Another message arrived.
*Rachel:* Please don't believe everything he says.
Sarah typed immediately.
*Sarah:* Are you my sister?
The reply came almost instantly.
*Rachel:* Yes.
Sarah's fingers trembled.
*Sarah:* Why didn't you tell me?
The response took longer.
*Rachel:* Because I was supposed to protect you.
Sarah closed her eyes.
Everyone seemed to have the same excuse.
She called Rachel.
The call connected after one ring.
“Sarah?””
“Where are you?””
“At home.””
“I'm coming over.””
“Don't.””
Sarah froze.
“Why?””
“Because someone is watching my apartment.””
Sarah glanced at her father.
“Who?””
“I don't know. But I've seen the black SUV outside twice.””
Sarah's stomach tightened.
“Rachel, I need to see you.””
There was a long silence.
Then Rachel said:
“Meet me at the old botanical garden. Twenty minutes.””
The garden was nearly empty when Sarah arrived.
Rain fell softly against the glass roof of the conservatory.
She found Rachel sitting on a bench beside a fountain.
Her dark hair was tied back, and she wore the same silver necklace Sarah had given her on her last birthday.
When Rachel saw her, she stood.
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Then Sarah walked toward her.
“Is it true?””
Rachel's eyes filled.
“Yes.””
“Are you my sister?””
Rachel nodded.
Sarah slapped her.
The sound echoed through the empty conservatory.
Rachel didn't move.
“I deserved that,” she whispered.
Sarah's tears spilled over.
“You let me call you my best friend for four years.””
“I know.””
“You came to my wedding.””
“I know.””
“You helped me choose the dress. You held my hand when Mom died.””
Rachel covered her mouth.
“I know.””
“Then how could you look at me every day and never tell me?””
Rachel reached into her handbag.
She pulled out a folded letter.
“Because your mother asked me to wait until she was sure you were safe.””
Sarah took the letter.
It was written in Margaret's handwriting.
My girls,
I know you will hate me for keeping you apart.
But I had to make sure Daniel could never use one daughter to hurt the other.
Sarah grew up believing Thomas was her father. Rachel grew up believing she was an only child.
I wanted both of you to have ordinary lives.
But the money Daniel left behind was never his to take. It belonged to the children he abandoned.
If you're reading this together, then the danger has finally reached both of you.
Sarah lowered the letter.
“What money?””
Rachel wiped her cheeks.
“The seven-million-dollar trust.””
Sarah stared.
“Dad said it was Mom's charitable fund.””
“It was originally created by Daniel. Your mother transferred the money into a protected trust when she discovered he was using it to finance illegal operations.””
“Then why is Ben involved?””
Rachel looked away.
“Because Ben discovered that someone had been withdrawing money from the trust using forged documents.””
“Who?””
Rachel's expression changed.
“Your father.””
Sarah shook her head.
“No.””
“He was the only person with access to the original paperwork after your mother disappeared.””
“Why would he steal from his own daughter?””
Rachel stepped closer.
“Because he wasn't stealing it for himself.””
Sarah looked confused.
“Then who?””
Rachel opened her handbag and removed a second photograph.
It showed Thomas standing beside a man in a dark suit.
Sarah recognized the man immediately.
Dr. Arnold.
Rachel pointed toward the photograph.
“Your father and Dr. Arnold have been working together for years.””
Sarah felt her blood turn cold.
“What does Arnold have to do with the money?””
Rachel lowered her voice.
“He was supposed to help your mother disappear safely. But he betrayed her.””
“Why?””
“Because he wanted control of the medical trust.””
Sarah stared at her.
“And Ben?””
Rachel swallowed.
“Ben discovered the truth three months ago. He tried to expose them.””
“That's why he collapsed?””
Rachel nodded.
“Someone tampered with his medication.””
Sarah's hand flew to her mouth.
“Are you saying someone tried to poison my husband?””
Rachel looked directly into her eyes.
“Yes.””
Sarah backed away.
“Why would they do that?””
“Because Ben found the original transfer records. And because he was about to tell you something that could destroy all of them.””
“What?””
Rachel hesitated.
Then she said:
“Ben discovered that the money wasn't being stolen from the trust anymore.””
Sarah frowned.
“What do you mean?””
Rachel pulled out her phone and showed her a bank statement.
Seven million dollars had been transferred into a new account two days earlier.
The beneficiary name was clearly visible.
*SARAH MARGARET COLLINS.*
Sarah stared.
“That's my name.””
“Exactly.””
“But I never opened this account.””
Rachel nodded.
“Someone opened it using your identity.””
“Who?””
Rachel zoomed in on the authorization details.
A digital approval signature appeared.
Sarah recognized it.
It was Ben's.
Her stomach dropped.
“Ben authorized this?””
Rachel shook her head.
“He told me he didn't.””
Sarah looked at the document again.
The transaction had been completed two days before Ben collapsed.
Then her phone rang.
*ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL.*
She answered.
“Hello?””
A nurse spoke urgently.
“Mrs. Mitchell, I'm calling about your husband.””
Sarah stood.
“What happened?””
“Mr. Mitchell has regained consciousness. He's asking for you.””
“Is he okay?””
The nurse hesitated.
“There's something you need to know.””
Sarah gripped the phone.
“What?””
“Dr. Arnold has just entered his room with a discharge order.””
Sarah frowned.
“Why would he be discharged?””
“That's what concerns us. Your husband hasn't been medically cleared.””
In the background, Sarah heard a familiar voice.
Ben.
He was shouting.
“Don't let him take me!””
The nurse whispered:
“Mrs. Mitchell, please hurry.””
Then the call ended.
Sarah looked at Rachel.
“Come with me.””
Rachel grabbed her coat.
But before they could leave, Sarah's phone received a final message.
It came from an unknown number.
*UNKNOWN:* If you go back to that hospital, you'll find your husband.
A second message appeared.
*UNKNOWN:* But you won't find him alive.
Sarah stared at the screen.
Then another message arrived.
This one contained a photograph.
It showed Ben lying in his hospital bed.
Standing beside him was Dr. Arnold.
And behind them, reflected in the dark window, stood a woman with silver hair.
Sarah recognized her immediately.
Her mother.
May you like
Alive.
And holding a gun.
