Chapter 9: The Last Lie of the Bellmont Family
"Mom!""
I ran toward the corridor.
Darius caught up with me.
"Stay behind me!""
We searched the adjoining rooms.
Nothing.
The wheelchair lay overturned nearDarius caught up with me.
"Stay behind me!""
We searched the adjoining rooms.
Nothing.
The wheelchair lay overturned near the door.
A window at the end of the corridor stood open.
Walter rushed into the room.
"Denise!""
the door.
A window at the end of the corridor stood open.
Walter rushed into the room.
"Denise!""
Edward followed, his walking stick striking the floor.
Then Darius shouted.
"Found something!""
Edward followed, his walking stick striking the floor.
Then Darius shouted.
"Found something!""
He was standing beside a storage cupboard.
Inside lay a small black handbag.
My mother's handbag.
IHe was standing beside a storage cupboard.
Inside lay a small black handbag.
My mother's handbag.
I grabbed it.
There was a photograph tucked into the front pocket.
It showed Denise and Edward standing outside grabbed it.
There was a photograph tucked into the front pocket.
It showed Denise and Edward standing outside the hotel decades earlier.
On the back were three words.
Trust the blue room.
I looked at Walter.
" the hotel decades earlier.
On the back were three words.
Trust the blue room.
I looked at Walter.
"What's the blue room?""
His face changed.
"The old executive apartment.""
"Where is it?""
"InsideWhat's the blue room?""
His face changed.
"The old executive apartment.""
"Where is it?""
"Inside the original hotel.""
I stared at him.
"Why would my mother leave that clue?""
Walter swallowed.
"Because that's where Victoria kept the original company the original hotel.""
I stared at him.
"Why would my mother leave that clue?""
Walter swallowed.
"Because that's where Victoria kept the original company records.""
Darius was already speaking into his radio.
"All units, possible destination is the old executive records.""
Darius was already speaking into his radio.
"All units, possible destination is the old executive apartment at the Grand Bellmont. Suspect is Simone Bellmont. Missing woman is Denise Cole.""
I apartment at the Grand Bellmont. Suspect is Simone Bellmont. Missing woman is Denise Cole.""
I looked toward the door.
"Let's go.""
The drive back to the hotel felt endless.
I sat beside Edward.
Walter was looked toward the door.
"Let's go.""
The drive back to the hotel felt endless.
I sat beside Edward.
Walter was in the front passenger seat, staring through the windshield.
Nobody spoke.
Finally, Edward turned toward me.
"Avery, there's something I need to in the front passenger seat, staring through the windshield.
Nobody spoke.
Finally, Edward turned toward me.
"Avery, there's something I need to tell you.""
I looked at him.
"What?""
"Your mother never stopped loving you. But she also never stopped protecting you.""
"I tell you.""
I looked at him.
"What?""
"Your mother never stopped loving you. But she also never stopped protecting you.""
"I know.""
"No. I mean she protected you from more than Simone.""
He looked down at his hands.
"Victoria had discovered know.""
"No. I mean she protected you from more than Simone.""
He looked down at his hands.
"Victoria had discovered that I was helping Denise gather evidence against the Bellmont family. She believed Denise was trying to destroy everything her husband had built.""
"Was that I was helping Denise gather evidence against the Bellmont family. She believed Denise was trying to destroy everything her husband had built.""
"Was she?""
Edward shook his head.
"Denise wanted the hotel to stop stealing from its employees. She she?""
Edward shook his head.
"Denise wanted the hotel to stop stealing from its employees. She had discovered that the charity foundation was being used to hide millions in fraudulent transactions.""
"That's why Simone wanted had discovered that the charity foundation was being used to hide millions in fraudulent transactions.""
"That's why Simone wanted her silenced?""
"Yes.""
I looked at him.
"And you?""
"I was supposed to testify.""
"What happened her silenced?""
"Yes.""
I looked at him.
"And you?""
"I was supposed to testify.""
"What happened?""
Edward stared out of the window.
"Victoria arranged for me to be accused of embezzlement. My accounts?""
Edward stared out of the window.
"Victoria arranged for me to be accused of embezzlement. My accounts were frozen. My reputation was destroyed.
Then I received a message saying that if I were frozen. My reputation was destroyed. Then I received a message saying that if I ever contacted Denise or you again, both of you would be harmed.""
I swallowed.
"So you disappeared.""
"I thought it ever contacted Denise or you again, both of you would be harmed.""
I swallowed.
"So you disappeared.""
"I thought it was the only way to keep you safe.""
I looked at the passing streetlights.
"Everyone thought was the only way to keep you safe.""
I looked at the passing streetlights.
"Everyone thought they were protecting me.""
Edward gently touched my shoulder.
"Sometimes fear makes people choose the wrong kind of they were protecting me.""
Edward gently touched my shoulder.
"Sometimes fear makes people choose the wrong kind of protection.""
I didn't answer.
Because I knew he was right.
The Grand Bellmont Hotel protection.""
I didn't answer.
Because I knew he was right.
The Grand Bellmont Hotel stood brightly illuminated against the night sky.
But the entrance was empty.
No guests.
No music.
Only two security officers near the revolving stood brightly illuminated against the night sky.
But the entrance was empty.
No guests.
No music.
Only two security officers near the revolving doors.
Darius spoke into his radio.
"Secure the east wing. Nobody enters or leaves doors.
Darius spoke into his radio.
"Secure the east wing. Nobody enters or leaves without authorization.""
Walter led us toward a private elevator.
"The blue room is on the fifth floor.""
The doors opened.
We stepped into a quiet without authorization.""
Walter led us toward a private elevator.
"The blue room is on the fifth floor.""
The doors opened.
We stepped into a quiet corridor.
At the end stood a large blue door.
Walter inserted a key.
It wouldn't turn.
He tried again.
Nothing.
D corridor.
At the end stood a large blue door.
Walter inserted a key.
It wouldn't turn.
He tried again.
Nothing.
Darius examined the lock.
"Someone changed it.""
Walter stepped back.
"Break it.""
Onearius examined the lock.
"Someone changed it.""
Walter stepped back.
"Break it.""
One of the officers used a shoulder ram.
The door opened with a loud crack.
Inside was a luxurious apartment frozen in time.
Blue velvet furniture of the officers used a shoulder ram.
The door opened with a loud crack.
Inside was a luxurious apartment frozen in time.
Blue velvet furniture.
An enormous fireplace.
Photographs covering the walls.
And a desk covered with folders.
I.
An enormous fireplace.
Photographs covering the walls.
And a desk covered with folders.
I walked toward the desk.
A photograph caught my attention.
It showed a young Denise holding me.
Beside her stood Victoria Bell walked toward the desk.
A photograph caught my attention.
It showed a young Denise holding me.
Beside her stood Victoria Bellmont.
I turned it over.
The child belongs with her mother.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Victoria hadmont.
I turned it over.
The child belongs with her mother.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Victoria had written it.
I looked at Walter.
"She wanted us together?""
Walter picked up the photograph.
His face crumpled.
"Yes.""
written it.
I looked at Walter.
"She wanted us together?""
Walter picked up the photograph.
His face crumpled.
"Yes.""
"Then why did she help Simone separate us?""
He opened a drawer.
Inside were dozens of letters.
Some were"Then why did she help Simone separate us?""
He opened a drawer.
Inside were dozens of letters.
Some were addressed to Denise.
Others were addressed to Edward.
He picked up the first one.
It addressed to Denise.
Others were addressed to Edward.
He picked up the first one.
It was dated twenty-four years earlier.
*Denise, I am sorry for what happened at the hospital. I believed Simone when she told me you had agreed to let the baby be raised by Margaret. I have since was dated twenty-four years earlier.
Denise, I am sorry for what happened at the hospital. I believed Simone when she told me you had agreed to let the baby be raised by Margaret. I have since discovered that she forged your signature.
Walter stopped reading.
I took the letter.
The next paragraph made my blood run cold.
I have found the original maternity records. They prove that the child was never legally transferred discovered that she forged your signature.
Walter stopped reading.
I took the letter.
The next paragraph made my blood run cold.
I have found the original maternity records. They prove that the child was never legally transferred. If Simone discovers I have them, she will destroy everything.
There was another letter.
Then another. If Simone discovers I have them, she will destroy everything.*
There was another letter.
Then another.
Victoria had tried to contact Denise.
She had even arranged a meeting.
But the final letter had never.
Victoria had tried to contact Denise.
She had even arranged a meeting.
But the final letter had never been sent.
It was addressed been sent.
It was addressed to Walter.
I know what Simone did. I know she has been using the foundation to pay people to keep Denise silent. I also know that Edward is alive. You must find him before she finds him first.
Walter sank into a chair.
"She knew.""
I looked at him.
"Your wife knew the truth?""
He nodded.
"And she spent years trying to fix it.""
"Why didn't she tell you?""
Walter's voice broke.
"Because I had already made it clear that I would protect Simone at to Walter.
I know what Simone did. I know she has been using the foundation to pay people to keep Denise silent. I also know that Edward is alive. You must find him before she finds him first.
Walter sank into a chair.
"She knew.""
I looked at him.
"Your wife knew the truth?""
He nodded.
"And she spent years trying to fix it.""
"Why didn't she tell you?""
Walter's voice broke.
"Because I had already made it clear that I would protect Simone at any cost.""
I stared at him.
He looked up.
"She knew I would choose my daughter.""
Before I could respond, Darius entered the room.
"Mr. any cost.""
I stared at him.
He looked up.
"She knew I would choose my daughter.""
Before I could respond, Darius entered the room.
"Mr. Bellmont.""
"What?""
"We've found Denise.""
My heart stopped.
"Where?""
"Inside the Bellmont.""
"What?""
"We've found Denise.""
My heart stopped.
"Where?""
"Inside the old service apartment. She's safe.""
I ran.
My mother was sitting on a small old service apartment. She's safe.""
I ran.
My mother was sitting on a small sofa beside a window.
A police officer stood near the door.
When she saw me, she began crying.
I rushed into her arms.
"Mom!""
sofa beside a window.
A police officer stood near the door.
When she saw me, she began crying.
I rushed into her arms.
"Mom!""
She held me tightly.
"I'm here, sweetheart.""
"Are you hurt?""
"No. I'm all right.""
I pulled back and examined her face.
"Where's Simone?""
My motherShe held me tightly.
"I'm here, sweetheart.""
"Are you hurt?""
"No. I'm all right.""
I pulled back and examined her face.
"Where's Simone?""
My mother looked toward Walter.
"She left.""
Darius entered.
"She escaped through the underground garage. We've issued an alert.""
Walter closed his eyes.
Then Denise looked toward Walter.
"She left.""
Darius entered.
"She escaped through the underground garage. We've issued an alert.""
Walter closed his eyes.
Then Denise reached for his hand.
"Walter.""
He looked at her.
"I'm sorry.""
She shook her head.
"Don't apologize to me reached for his hand.
"Walter.""
He looked at her.
"I'm sorry.""
She shook her head.
"Don't apologize to me yet.""
He looked confused.
She turned toward me.
"There's something you need to know before we decide what yet.""
He looked confused.
She turned toward me.
"There's something you need to know before we decide what happens next.""
I sat beside her.
"What?""
She took a small envelope from inside her cardigan.
"I kept this for twenty-five years.""
She happens next.""
I sat beside her.
"What?""
She took a small envelope from inside her cardigan.
"I kept this for twenty-five years.""
She placed it in my hands.
Inside was a letter written by Victoria.
I unfolded it.
To Avery,
*If you are reading placed it in my hands.
Inside was a letter written by Victoria.
I unfolded it.
To Avery,
If you are reading this, it means the truth has finally reached you.
Your mother did everything she could to protect you. Edward never abandoned you. Walter made mistakes this, it means the truth has finally reached you.
Your mother did everything she could to protect you. Edward never abandoned you. Walter made mistakes, but he was not the only person who allowed them to happen.
There is one final truth about the night you were born.
, but he was not the only person who allowed them to happen.*
There is one final truth about the night you were born.
I looked at Denise.
She nodded.
I continued reading.
*The original birth certificate was altered becauseI looked at Denise.
She nodded.
I continued reading.
The original birth certificate was altered because the person listed as your father was not the man everyone expected.
My fingers trembled.
Edward Hayes is your biological father.
I the person listed as your father was not the man everyone expected.*
My fingers trembled.
Edward Hayes is your biological father.
I looked at Edward.
He was standing in the doorway.
His eyes filled with tears.
I read the final paragraph.
*But your birth was looked at Edward.
He was standing in the doorway.
His eyes filled with tears.
I read the final paragraph.
But your birth was not the reason Simone wanted you gone. You were born holding something that could have exposed the Bellmont family's greatest crime.
I looked up.
not the reason Simone wanted you gone. You were born holding something that could have exposed the Bellmont family's greatest crime.*
I looked up.
"What?""
Denise took my hand.
"Your mother and I discovered the original foundation accounts had been hidden in the"What?""
Denise took my hand.
"Your mother and I discovered the original foundation accounts had been hidden in the hospital's maternity records.""
I frowned.
"What does that mean?""
Walter stepped closer.
"The hospital was being used to transfer money through false patient accounts. Babies, hospital's maternity records.""
I frowned.
"What does that mean?""
Walter stepped closer.
"The hospital was being used to transfer money through false patient accounts. Babies, medical expenses, and charitable donations were being recorded under identities that didn't exist.""
I stared at him.
"And my identity medical expenses, and charitable donations were being recorded under identities that didn't exist.""
I stared at him.
"And my identity?""
"Your birth record was one of the records used to conceal the transfers.""
Edward shook his head.
"Victoria found out that?""
"Your birth record was one of the records used to conceal the transfers.""
Edward shook his head.
"Victoria found out that your file contained the original evidence.""
I looked at my mother.
"That's why they changed my your file contained the original evidence.""
I looked at my mother.
"That's why they changed my name?""
Denise nodded.
"They didn't just want to separate us. They wanted to make sure nobody could trace the money.""
I felt sick.
For twenty-five years, my identity had been used as a hiding name?""
Denise nodded.
"They didn't just want to separate us. They wanted to make sure nobody could trace the money.""
I felt sick.
For twenty-five years, my identity had been used as a hiding place for someone else's crime.
Then Darius's phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And slowly looked toward Walter.
"What is it?"" Walter asked.
Darius lowered the phone.
"The police found Simone's place for someone else's crime.
Then Darius's phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And slowly looked toward Walter.
"What is it?"" Walter asked.
Darius lowered the phone.
"The police found Simone's car.""
"Where?""
"At the airport.""
I stood.
"She's leaving?""
Darius shook his head.
"No. The car is empty.""
He showed car.""
"Where?""
"At the airport.""
I stood.
"She's leaving?""
Darius shook his head.
"No. The car is empty.""
He showed us a photograph.
On the passenger seat was a folder.
The same folder I had seen in the archive.
But this us a photograph.
On the passenger seat was a folder.
The same folder I had seen in the archive.
But this time, there was a handwritten note on top.
If Avery wants the truth, she should come alone.
I looked at my mother.
She grabbed my hand.
"Don't go.""
Walter took the note.
Then time, there was a handwritten note on top.
If Avery wants the truth, she should come alone.
I looked at my mother.
She grabbed my hand.
"Don't go.""
Walter took the note.
Then he read the final line aloud.
"Because the person who really ordered your abduction is still he read the final line aloud.
"Because the person who really ordered your abduction is still alive.""
I looked at him.
"Who?""
Walter turned the paper over.
There was a name written beneath the message.
**M alive.""
I looked at him.
"Who?""
Walter turned the paper over.
There was a name written beneath the message.
*MARGARET COLE.*
My aunt.
The woman who had raised me.
The woman who had told me my mother died.
The woman who had just spent theARGARET COLE.**
My aunt.
The woman who had raised me.
The woman who had told me my mother died.
The woman who had just spent the night crying on the telephone.
I stared at the name.
And suddenly, every person I had trusted seemed like night crying on the telephone.
I stared at the name.
And suddenly, every person I had trusted seemed like a stranger.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Margaret appeared.
*I'm sorry, Avery a stranger.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Margaret appeared.
I'm sorry, Avery. But I need you to understand why I did it.
Then another message arrived.
Meet me at the hotel where. But I need you to understand why I did it.
Then another message arrived.
Meet me at the hotel where you were born.
I looked at Denise.
My mother squeezed my hand.
And whispered:
"Don't go you were born.*
I looked at Denise.
My mother squeezed my hand.
And whispered:
May you like
"Don't go alone.""
alone.""
