Chapter 8: The Room Behind the Locked Door
The old maternity clinic looked abandoned from the street.
Its windows were covered with dusty blinds. The sign above the entrance had faded until only from the street.
Its windows were covered with dusty blinds. The sign above the entrance had faded until only a few letters remained.
But two black vehicles were parked outside.
And a a few letters remained.
But two black vehicles were parked outside.
And a security camera moved slowly above the main entrance.
Simone was inside.
Darius parked behind a row of trees.
"We wait for the police," he said.
I stared at the building.
security camera moved slowly above the main entrance.
Simone was inside.
Darius parked behind a row of trees.
"We wait for the police," he said.
I stared at the building.
"How long?""
"They're two minutes away.""
"Two minutes could be too long.""
Walter stepped out of the car.
"How long?""
"They're two minutes away.""
"Two minutes could be too long.""
Walter stepped out of the car.
"She's my daughter. I'll speak to her.""
Edward grabbed his sleeve.
"Your daughter has spent twenty-five years manipulating everyone around her. Walking"She's my daughter. I'll speak to her.""
Edward grabbed his sleeve.
"Your daughter has spent twenty-five years manipulating everyone around her. Walking through that door alone is exactly what she wants.""
Walter looked at him.
"You have no right to lecture me.""
Edward's expression hardened.
"I know. I lost that through that door alone is exactly what she wants.""
Walter looked at him.
"You have no right to lecture me.""
Edward's expression hardened.
"I know. I lost that right when I believed your daughter's lies.""
The two men stared at each other.
I stepped between them.
"Enough. Both of you.""
They turned right when I believed your daughter's lies.""
The two men stared at each other.
I stepped between them.
"Enough. Both of you.""
They turned toward me.
"My mother is in there. Whatever happened twenty-five years ago, whatever either of you regrets, we deal with it toward me.
"My mother is in there. Whatever happened twenty-five years ago, whatever either of you regrets, we deal with it after we get her out.""
Darius nodded.
"Stay behind me.""
We approached the side entrance.
It after we get her out.""
Darius nodded.
"Stay behind me.""
We approached the side entrance.
It wasn't locked.
Inside, the air smelled of disinfectant and damp plaster.
A long corridor stretched ahead.
wasn't locked.
Inside, the air smelled of disinfectant and damp plaster.
A long corridor stretched ahead.
At the far end, a light flickered beneath a closed door.
Darius raised his hand.
"Wait.""
He listenedAt the far end, a light flickered beneath a closed door.
Darius raised his hand.
"Wait.""
He listened.
A woman's voice came from the room.
"Please. I just want to see my daughter.""
My heart stopped.
"Mom.""
.
A woman's voice came from the room.
"Please. I just want to see my daughter.""
My heart stopped.
"Mom.""
I took a step forward.
Darius caught my arm.
"Careful.""
Then anotherI took a step forward.
Darius caught my arm.
"Careful.""
Then another voice answered.
Simone.
"Your daughter is not coming.""
My stomach turned.
"She's here," voice answered.
Simone.
"Your daughter is not coming.""
My stomach turned.
"She's here," I whispered.
Walter's expression darkened.
Darius signaled the others.
Two police officers I whispered.
Walter's expression darkened.
Darius signaled the others.
Two police officers had arrived through the rear entrance.
One of them nodded.
Darius pushed open had arrived through the rear entrance.
One of them nodded.
Darius pushed open the door.
Simone stood beside a metal desk.
She was still wearing the champagne-colored dress from the the door.
Simone stood beside a metal desk.
She was still wearing the champagne-colored dress from the gala, although her hair had become disheveled.
A woman sat in a wheelchair near gala, although her hair had become disheveled.
A woman sat in a wheelchair near the window.
Her hair was silver.
Her face was thin.
But her eyes—
I knew those eyes.
My mother.
Den the window.
Her hair was silver.
Her face was thin.
But her eyes—
I knew those eyes.
My mother.
Denise.
She turned toward the doorway.
For a moment, she didn't seem to understand what she was seeing.
Then herise.
She turned toward the doorway.
For a moment, she didn't seem to understand what she was seeing.
Then her lips trembled.
"Avery?""
I couldn't move.
She reached out lips trembled.
"Avery?""
I couldn't move.
She reached out.
"My baby?""
The room disappeared.
I ran.
"Mom!""
I fell to my knees beside her wheelchair and wrapped my arms around her.
She held my face between her.
"My baby?""
The room disappeared.
I ran.
"Mom!""
I fell to my knees beside her wheelchair and wrapped my arms around her.
She held my face between her hands.
"Oh, sweetheart.""
Her fingers moved over my cheeks, my forehead, my hair.
"You're hands.
"Oh, sweetheart.""
Her fingers moved over my cheeks, my forehead, my hair.
"You're so beautiful.""
I began crying.
"So are you.""
She laughed through her tears.
"I've imagined this moment so many so beautiful.""
I began crying.
"So are you.""
She laughed through her tears.
"I've imagined this moment so many times.""
I held her tightly.
"Why didn't you come for me?""
She closed her eyes.
"I tried.""
"Why didn't times.""
I held her tightly.
"Why didn't you come for me?""
She closed her eyes.
"I tried.""
"Why didn't you find me?""
"I did find you.""
I pulled back.
"What?""
She wiped my cheek.
you find me?""
"I did find you.""
I pulled back.
"What?""
She wiped my cheek.
"I saw you when you were seven. From across the street outside your school.""
My heart broke.
"You saw"I saw you when you were seven. From across the street outside your school.""
My heart broke.
"You saw me?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you come closer?""
Her eyes filled.
"Because Simone had someone watching you. She told me if I approached me?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you come closer?""
Her eyes filled.
"Because Simone had someone watching you. She told me if I approached you, she'd make sure you disappeared again.""
I looked toward Simone.
She was standing perfectly still.
Walter stepped forward.
"Simone, what have you, she'd make sure you disappeared again.""
I looked toward Simone.
She was standing perfectly still.
Walter stepped forward.
"Simone, what have you done?""
She gave a bitter laugh.
"Don't pretend you don't know, Father.""
"You abducted Denise you done?""
She gave a bitter laugh.
"Don't pretend you don't know, Father.""
"You abducted Denise.""
"I protected this family.""
Edward stepped into the room.
Simone froze.
Her expression changed.""
"I protected this family.""
Edward stepped into the room.
Simone froze.
Her expression changed completely.
"Edward?""
He looked at her.
"Hello, Simone.""
She took a step backward.
"You're supposed to be dead.""
Edward shook his head.
"You completely.
"Edward?""
He looked at her.
"Hello, Simone.""
She took a step backward.
"You're supposed to be dead.""
Edward shook his head.
"You should have checked.""
For the first time, Simone looked genuinely cornered.
She glanced toward the police officers should have checked.""
For the first time, Simone looked genuinely cornered.
She glanced toward the police officers.
Then toward the exit.
Darius moved to block her.
"Don't.""
Simone pointed at Edward.
"He knows.
Then toward the exit.
Darius moved to block her.
"Don't.""
Simone pointed at Edward.
"He knows nothing!""
Edward remained calm.
"I know you falsified a death nothing!""
Edward remained calm.
"I know you falsified a death certificate. I know you changed the maternity records. I know you paid a hospital administrator to transfer a newborn child certificate.
I know you changed the maternity records. I know you paid a hospital administrator to transfer a newborn child under a false identity.""
"That's a lie!""
"Then explain why the original documents are in your handwriting.""
Simone's face tightened under a false identity.""
"That's a lie!""
"Then explain why the original documents are in your handwriting.""
Simone's face tightened.
Walter looked at his daughter.
"Why?""
She laughed.
"Because you gave everything to her!""
.
Walter looked at his daughter.
"Why?""
She laughed.
"Because you gave everything to her!""
Walter stared.
"She was a baby.""
"Exactly!""
Simone's voice rose.
"She hadn't even been born, and you were already planning to give her everythingWalter stared.
"She was a baby.""
"Exactly!""
Simone's voice rose.
"She hadn't even been born, and you were already planning to give her everything. You were going to abandon me for Denise's child.""
Walter looked devastated.
"I never abandoned you.""
"You made her. You were going to abandon me for Denise's child.""
Walter looked devastated.
"I never abandoned you.""
"You made her your priority.""
"I tried to protect both of you.""
"No. You protected the woman you loved.""
Simone pointed toward Denise.
"And she your priority.""
"I tried to protect both of you.""
"No. You protected the woman you loved.""
Simone pointed toward Denise.
"And she took advantage of you!""
Denise lifted her head.
"That's not true.""
Simone turned.
"Be took advantage of you!""
Denise lifted her head.
"That's not true.""
Simone turned.
"Be quiet.""
My mother flinched.
I immediately stood between them.
"Don't speak to her like that.""
Simone looked quiet.""
My mother flinched.
I immediately stood between them.
"Don't speak to her like that.""
Simone looked me up and down.
"You have no idea what she did.""
"Then tell me.""
For a moment, Simone me up and down.
"You have no idea what she did.""
"Then tell me.""
For a moment, Simone seemed ready to speak.
Then she looked at Edward.
Something in her expression shifted.
"You really haven't told seemed ready to speak.
Then she looked at Edward.
Something in her expression shifted.
"You really haven't told her?""
Edward's jaw tightened.
"Enough.""
Simone smiled faintly.
"Ask your mother why she was at the hospital that night her?""
Edward's jaw tightened.
"Enough.""
Simone smiled faintly.
"Ask your mother why she was at the hospital that night.""
I turned toward Denise.
"Mom?""
My mother looked down.
"Simone is trying to confuse you.""
"Why would she say that?""
Denise took my hands.""
I turned toward Denise.
"Mom?""
My mother looked down.
"Simone is trying to confuse you.""
"Why would she say that?""
Denise took my hands.
"Because she knows the truth about what happened to Edward.""
Edward stepped forward.
"Denise, not now.""
My mother shook her head.
.
"Because she knows the truth about what happened to Edward.""
Edward stepped forward.
"Denise, not now.""
My mother shook her head.
"No. Avery deserves to know.""
Walter looked between them.
"What truth?""
Denise took a shaky breath.
"Edward didn't disappear because Simone lied to"No. Avery deserves to know.""
Walter looked between them.
"What truth?""
Denise took a shaky breath.
"Edward didn't disappear because Simone lied to him.""
Edward closed his eyes.
"Denise.""
"He left because he discovered the financial fraud him.""
Edward closed his eyes.
"Denise.""
"He left because he discovered the financial fraud.""
I frowned.
"What does that have to do with me?""
My mother looked at Edward.
Then at Walter.
"Everything.""
She reached.""
I frowned.
"What does that have to do with me?""
My mother looked at Edward.
Then at Walter.
"Everything.""
She reached into the pocket of her cardigan and removed a folded paper.
It was another hospital document.
This one carried into the pocket of her cardigan and removed a folded paper.
It was another hospital document.
This one carried a signature.
Edward's.
And beside it was a handwritten statement.
*I relinquish all parental rights to the child a signature.
Edward's.
And beside it was a handwritten statement.
I relinquish all parental rights to the child born to Denise Cole.
I stared at the paper.
"Why would you sign this?""
Edward looked devastated.
"I didn't.""
Simone laughed.
born to Denise Cole.*
I stared at the paper.
"Why would you sign this?""
Edward looked devastated.
"I didn't.""
Simone laughed.
"Of course you didn't. But the document exists.""
Darius took the paper.
"Where did you get this?""
Simone didn't answer"Of course you didn't. But the document exists.""
Darius took the paper.
"Where did you get this?""
Simone didn't answer.
Denise's voice trembled.
"That signature was forged. Edward never abandoned Avery.""
.
Denise's voice trembled.
"That signature was forged. Edward never abandoned Avery.""
I looked at him.
He nodded.
"I came back three days after you were born. The hospital told me you had died. When II looked at him.
He nodded.
"I came back three days after you were born. The hospital told me you had died. When I learned the truth, I tried to get you back.""
"Then what happened?""
Edward's eyes moved toward Simone.
"Someone told learned the truth, I tried to get you back.""
"Then what happened?""
Edward's eyes moved toward Simone.
"Someone told the police I had attempted to steal you.""
I felt my stomach twist.
"They arrested you?""
"No. They threatened to the police I had attempted to steal you.""
I felt my stomach twist.
"They arrested you?""
"No. They threatened to.""
Walter looked confused.
"Who?""
Edward took a slow breath.
"Your wife.""
The room.""
Walter looked confused.
"Who?""
Edward took a slow breath.
"Your wife.""
The room went silent.
Walter stared at him.
"My wife was dead.""
Edward nodded.
"She wasn't.""
My mother began went silent.
Walter stared at him.
"My wife was dead.""
Edward nodded.
"She wasn't.""
My mother began crying.
"Simone's mother was alive when Avery was born. She was the one who ordered the falsified records.""
crying.
"Simone's mother was alive when Avery was born. She was the one who ordered the falsified records.""
I looked at Simone.
Her face had gone pale.
Edward continued.
"And SimoneI looked at Simone.
Her face had gone pale.
Edward continued.
"And Simone didn't act alone.""
Walter gripped the desk.
"What are you saying?""
Edward looked directly at him.
"Your late wife didn't didn't act alone.""
Walter gripped the desk.
"What are you saying?""
Edward looked directly at him.
"Your late wife didn't die when everyone believed she did.""
He paused.
"She survived the accident. And she was the person who helped Simone hide die when everyone believed she did.""
He paused.
"She survived the accident. And she was the person who helped Simone hide Denise.""
Walter staggered backward.
"That's impossible.""
Edward lowered his voice.
"She died six months Denise.""
Walter staggered backward.
"That's impossible.""
Edward lowered his voice.
"She died six months ago.""
I looked at Denise.
"Who was she?""
My mother whispered a name.
"Victoria Bell ago.""
I looked at Denise.
"Who was she?""
My mother whispered a name.
"Victoria Bellmont.""
Then Simone suddenly reached into her handbag.
Darius shouted.
"Hands where Imont.""
Then Simone suddenly reached into her handbag.
Darius shouted.
"Hands where I can see them!""
But Simone wasn't reaching for a weapon.
She pulled out a small remote control.
And pressed the button.
Somewhere can see them!""
But Simone wasn't reaching for a weapon.
She pulled out a small remote control.
And pressed the button.
Somewhere in the building, an alarm began screaming.
The lights went out.
In the darkness, I heard my mother in the building, an alarm began screaming.
The lights went out.
In the darkness, I heard my mother cry out.
Then a door slammed.
When the emergency lights came on, Denise cry out.
Then a door slammed.
May you like
When the emergency lights came on, Denise's wheelchair was empty.
And Simone was gone.
