Chapter 5: The Letters That Stole Eight Years
Vanessa lifted her chin.
“This is a family misunderstanding.
There is no reason for security.”
Claire held the transfer form behind her back.
“You attempted to move an unconscious patient with a false signature.”
Peter whispered into Vanessa’s ear.
“You will hear from us,” Vanessa said.
“Especially you, Daniel.”
She walked away with Peter, but stopped beside Lily.
“Ask your mother why she waited eight years.”
Daniel stepped between them.
“Leave.”
Vanessa’s eyes settled on Elena.
“Some truths are uglier than forged paperwork.”
When the door closed, Elena turned her face toward the window.
“She’s right about one thing,” she said.
“There is something you need to hear.”
Daniel pulled a chair beside the bed.
“Tell me.”
“Eight years ago, I received three letters from you.”
“I never sent them.”
“You said the baby wasn’t yours.
You told me not to contact your family or you would ruin mine.”
Daniel’s hand fell from the bed rail.
“Elena, I would never have written that.”
“I know that now.”
“How?”
“Vanessa came to my apartment four months ago.
She told me you regretted those letters and wanted to meet Lily.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“She came to you?”
“She asked for Lily’s birth certificate and one strand of her hair.
Then she disappeared.”
Lily watched their faces.
“Mama, why are you crying?”
Elena wiped her cheek.
“Because I believed something that hurt all of us.”
“You believed I abandoned you,” Daniel said.
“I told Lily you had chosen your business over us.”
Daniel’s mouth opened, but no sound came.
Elena reached for him.
“I also taught her not to hate you.”
That sentence broke what the others had not.
Daniel lowered his head to Elena’s hand, and his shoulders shook.
Lily climbed from the bed and wrapped both arms around his neck.
“I don’t hate you,” she whispered.
Daniel held her against him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t find you.”
“You didn’t know where I was.”
“I should have asked more questions.”
Elena touched his shoulder.
“We both should have.”
A knock interrupted them.
A woman carrying an official badge entered with Peter and Vanessa behind her.
“I’m Monica Reed from Child Services,” she said.
“An emergency guardianship petition has been filed concerning Lily.”
Elena struggled upright.
“By whom?”
“Vanessa Oleso.”
“She kept my child hungry,” Elena said.
Ruth stepped forward.
“I witnessed it.”
Vanessa smiled faintly.
“And you are a dismissed employee with a grudge.”
“You haven’t dismissed me,” Ruth replied.
“I just did.”
Monica opened the petition.
“Mrs.
Oleso claims Ms.
Vale is medically unable to provide care and Mr.
Oleso’s parentage is disputed.”
“The laboratory report is false,” Daniel said.
“That will require an independent test.
Until then, Lily must stay in temporary placement.”
Lily clung to Elena.
“No.”
Daniel faced Vanessa.
“Withdraw the petition.”
“Come into the hall.”
“No.
Say what you want in front of everyone.”
Vanessa placed a document on the table.
“Transfer your voting shares to me for ninety days.
I’ll withdraw my objection to Lily staying with Ruth.”
Peter looked at her.
“Vanessa, that is not what we discussed.”
“It is now.”
Daniel picked up the document.
“You want control of my company.”
“I want stability.”
“You forged a medical transfer and a laboratory report.”
“Prove it before the board meets tomorrow.”
Monica held out her hand to Lily.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.
We need to go.”
Lily began sobbing.
Elena tried to rise, but pain forced her back against the pillows.
“Please don’t take her,” Elena cried.
Ruth knelt in front of Lily.
“Listen to me.
This is not your fault, and you are not being abandoned.”
Lily looked toward Daniel.
“Will you come for me?”
“I will not stop until you’re home.”
As Monica led her toward the door, Lily pulled free and ran back to Ruth.
“The real letter,” she whispered.
“I hid it before Mrs.
Oleso came upstairs.”
“Where?”
“Under the loose floorboard in the blue room.”
May you like
Vanessa had heard her.
She was already reaching for her phone.
