CHAPTER 5 THE WOMAN WHO HAD WORKED FOR MY FAMILY FOR THIRTY YEARS WALKED INTO THE POLICE STATION WITH A BOX
The next morning, Audrey was admitted to the hospital for observation.
Thankfully, our daughter was still healthy.
The baby's heartbeat echoed steadily through the examination room.
Neither of us realized how much we needed to hear that sound.
While Audrey rested, Detective Harris called me downtown.
"You should come."
When I arrived, an elderly woman sat quietly in the interview room.
I recognized her immediately.
Helen.
Our family's longtime housekeeper.
She had worked for my parents longer than I had been alive.
She placed an old wooden box on the table.
"I've been waiting twenty-two years."
Inside were journals.
Letters.
Receipts.
Photographs.
Victoria had spent decades manipulating anyone she viewed as a threat.
Former employees.
Business partners.
Even distant relatives.
Helen lowered her eyes.
"Your father knew."
My heart stopped.
"He stayed because he believed he could protect you."
She handed me a sealed envelope addressed in my father's handwriting.
For Daniel. Open only if you ever discover who your mother truly is.
My hands trembled as I unfolded the letter.
If you're reading this, then I failed to stop her.
There are things about your mother you were never allowed to know.
She doesn't love power because she enjoys money.
She loves control because she cannot bear anyone else having it.
The moment Audrey became pregnant, I feared history would repeat itself.
History.
Repeat itself.
I looked back at Helen.
"What history?"
The old woman quietly wiped away a tear.
"There was another baby."
May you like
The room seemed to spin.
"A baby your father never stopped mourning."
