Chapter 9: The Sister Nobody Knew Existed
Marcus sat motionless in his office.
“Laura had a sister?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn't she ever tell me?””
“Because they had been estranged for years.””
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
“What is her name?””
“Rebecca Morgan.””
The name meant nothing to him.
Eleanor continued.
“Rebecca was named as the independent family trustee. Laura trusted her judgment, but she wanted to keep her away from the financial investigation until the right moment.””
Marcus looked at the security footage.
Daniel had found the original document.
Richard knew about Rebecca.
And Vanessa had apparently known enough to be terrified.
“Where is she now?””
“I don't know her exact location. But she contacted my office yesterday.””
Marcus stood.
“Yesterday?””
“Yes. She asked whether Ethan was safe.””
Marcus's expression hardened.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I hadn't verified her identity.””
He exhaled sharply.
“Can you arrange a meeting?””
“I can try.””
“Do it.””
Before Eleanor could answer, Marcus heard a small voice behind him.
“Dad?””
He turned.
Ethan stood in the doorway, holding his stuffed bear.
Marcus immediately softened.
“Hey, buddy. Why aren't you sleeping?””
Ethan walked toward him.
“I heard you talking about Mom.””
Marcus crouched.
“I'm sorry if we woke you.””
“Does Mom have a sister?””
Marcus froze.
“Why do you ask?””
Ethan reached into his pajama pocket and pulled out a small photograph.
It showed Laura standing beside another woman.
They looked remarkably alike.
The woman had the same dark eyes, the same smile, and the same small dimple near her chin.
On the back were two words.
For Ethan.
Marcus carefully took the photograph.
“Where did you find this?””
“In Mom's music box.””
“Did you know who she was?””
Ethan shook his head.
“Mom said she was Aunt Rebecca.””
Marcus stared at the photograph.
“Did your mom tell you anything else?””
Ethan nodded.
“She said Aunt Rebecca would come back when I needed her.””
Marcus felt something shift inside him.
For three years, he had believed Laura had no family left.
Yet she had apparently kept a sister hidden from everyone.
He gently kissed Ethan's forehead.
“Thank you for showing me.””
Ethan looked up.
“Are you going to find her?””
“Yes.””
“Can I meet her?””
Marcus smiled faintly.
“If she's willing, absolutely.””
Ethan returned to bed.
Marcus immediately called Eleanor again.
“I have a photograph of Rebecca.””
“Can you send it?””
Marcus did.
There was a brief silence.
Then Eleanor gasped.
“That's definitely Rebecca.””
“You recognize her?””
“Yes. I met her during Laura's final weeks.””
Marcus sat down.
“Then why did you tell me you didn't know where she was?””
“Because she disappeared shortly after Laura died.””
“Disappeared?””
“She believed someone was following her. She left the country and stopped contacting everyone.””
Marcus looked at the photograph.
“Do you know why?””
Eleanor's voice lowered.
“Because she had discovered what happened to the original trust documents.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Everyone knew something except me.””
“Laura wanted to protect you.””
“By keeping me completely in the dark?””
“By giving you time to raise Ethan without becoming a target.””
Marcus said nothing.
Then Eleanor spoke again.
“There's another thing you need to understand. Rebecca wasn't just named as a trustee.””
“What else?””
“She was given authority to investigate any attempted alteration of Ethan's inheritance.””
Marcus looked at the ledger.
“Then why would Richard and Daniel be looking for her?””
“Because she has the original evidence.””
Marcus's phone vibrated.
An incoming call.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice came through.
“Marcus?””
He stood immediately.
“Who is this?””
“My name is Rebecca.””
Marcus couldn't speak for a moment.
The voice continued.
“I know about the incident at your house. I know what happened to Ethan.””
His expression hardened.
“How?””
“Because I've been watching the people involved for three years.””
Marcus walked toward the office window.
“Where are you?””
“Somewhere safe.””
“I need to see you.””
“You will.””
“Then tell me why my son has been dragged into this.””
Rebecca sighed.
“Because Laura knew Daniel and Richard would eventually try to gain control of the trust.””
Marcus gripped the phone.
“Why didn't you come forward?””
“I tried.””
“When?””
“Six months after Laura died. I came to your house.””
Marcus remembered that evening.
A woman had arrived at the gate, asking to speak with him.
The security guard had told him it was someone from Laura's past.
Marcus had refused the meeting because Ethan had been sick.
He had never known who she was.
“Why didn't you call me?””
“I did. Vanessa answered.””
Marcus froze.
“What did she say?””
“She told me you didn't want to see me.””
Marcus felt a wave of anger.
“Vanessa lied?””
“Yes.””
Rebecca continued.
“She also told me Laura had left no inheritance for Ethan. She said everything had been transferred into your company.””
Marcus looked at the documents.
“That's impossible.””
“That's why I kept investigating.””
He paced across the office.
“Rebecca, I need you to tell me something. Did Laura know Vanessa was involved?””
A long pause followed.
Then Rebecca answered.
“Yes.””
Marcus stopped.
“What?””
“Laura knew Vanessa had been helping Daniel. But she also knew Vanessa had changed her mind.””
“Then why did she keep trusting her?””
“Because Vanessa gave her something.””
“What?””
“A recording.””
Marcus's heartbeat quickened.
“What recording?””
Rebecca's voice dropped.
“The night Laura discovered the fraud, Vanessa secretly recorded a conversation between Daniel and Richard. They discussed how they planned to take Ethan's inheritance.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“Where is it?””
“Vanessa has it.””
“Then why hasn't she given it to me?””
“Because she knows what it contains.””
Marcus looked at the security footage again.
The woman in the red dress.
The slap.
The money.
The lies.
He remembered Vanessa's message.
Don't trust the man who is helping you.
Perhaps she hadn't been talking about Daniel.
Perhaps she had been warning him about Richard.
“Rebecca, I need you here tonight.””
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because someone has been following me.””
Marcus looked toward the front windows.
“Who?””
Before Rebecca could answer, a loud crash sounded through the phone.
Then a man's voice shouted.
Rebecca gasped.
“Marcus, listen to me!””
“Rebecca?””
“They found me!””
Marcus stood.
“Where are you?””
“I don't have time. You need to find Vanessa. She has the recording. And whatever you do, don't let Richard get near Ethan.””
The call suddenly cut off.
Marcus immediately tried calling back.
No answer.
He contacted the police and gave them Rebecca's last known information.
Then he turned toward the office door.
Mrs. Collins stood there.
“Sir?””
Marcus looked at her.
“Where is Ethan?””
“Sleeping.””
“Stay with him. I'm going to make a call.””
She nodded.
Marcus picked up his phone and dialed Vanessa's number.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then someone answered.
“Marcus?””
Her voice was barely audible.
“Where are you?””
“Why?””
“Because I know about the recording.””
Silence.
Then Vanessa whispered:
“Did Rebecca call you?””
“Yes.””
“Oh, God.””
Marcus paced.
“Vanessa, listen carefully. I know Richard delivered the money. I know Daniel broke into the house. I know about the trust.””
Vanessa began crying.
“I'm sorry.””
“I don't want another apology. I want the truth.””
She took a shaky breath.
“Then you need to understand something. Richard isn't just trying to steal Ethan's inheritance.””
Marcus frowned.
“What else does he want?””
Vanessa whispered:
“He wants Ethan removed from your guardianship.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“Why?””
“Because if you lose custody, the trust becomes vulnerable.””
“Who would get custody?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
“Vanessa!””
Finally, she spoke.
“Richard has been preparing legal documents for months. He's planning to prove that you're an unfit father.””
Marcus went completely still.
“What?””
“He has photographs, financial records, and statements from people who will testify that Ethan is neglected.””
Marcus looked toward the stairs.
“That's a lie.””
“I know.””
“Then help me prove it.””
Vanessa's voice cracked.
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because the recording proves something worse.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
“What?””
Vanessa whispered:
“Richard didn't just help Daniel steal from the trust. He has been paying someone inside the family court system.””
Marcus felt his blood run cold.
“Who?””
Before she could answer, he heard a loud metallic sound through the phone.
Then a man's voice.
“Give me the phone, Vanessa.””
Marcus recognized it immediately.
Richard.
Vanessa screamed.
The call ended.
Marcus immediately dialed emergency services.
But before he could finish explaining the situation, another notification appeared.
An email from the county family court.
Subject: *Emergency Temporary Guardianship Hearing — Ethan Carter.*
Marcus opened it.
The hearing was scheduled for 9:00 AM.
The petitioner was Richard Hale.
The attached document accused Marcus of financial instability, emotional neglect, and exposing his son to repeated domestic incidents.
At the bottom was a witness statement.
Signed by Vanessa Reed.
Marcus stared at the signature.
She had just warned him about Richard.
Yet she had apparently signed the document accusing him of being an unfit father.
Then he noticed the date.
The statement had been signed three days earlier.
Three days before the slap.
Three days before the money appeared in Ethan's backpack.
Three days before Marcus discovered the letter.
And attached to the filing was a photograph of Ethan standing alone outside his school.
Someone had been following his son.
Marcus slowly lowered the phone.
His anger was gone.
In its place was something much more frightening.
Fear.
Because Richard wasn't trying to take money anymore.
May you like
He was trying to take Ethan.
And the hearing would begin in less than six hours.
