Chapter 12 - The Father Who Had Protected the Wrong Daughter
Richard Sinclair had known the truth for eight years.
Matteo understood that the moment he saw the signature.
Richard knew Lorenzo had been murdered.
He knew Isabella's crash had been connected to Margaret's operations.
And he'd remained silent while the Romano family suffered.
Matteo's anger was almost uncontrollable.
He wanted to confront Richard immediately.
Instead, Abigail stepped between him and the door.
"Matteo."
He stopped.
"Please don't do something that gives Margaret another advantage."
He stared at her.
She was seven months pregnant, exhausted, and carrying her own lifetime of betrayal.
Yet she was trying to protect him from making a decision he might regret.
Matteo took a slow breath.
"You're right."
He called the federal investigator coordinating the case.
Within hours, agents had copies of the files and were arranging formal interviews.
Richard Sinclair agreed to speak after his attorney arrived.
Abigail was present for part of the interview because Richard requested the opportunity to address her, and she chose to attend with Rachel.
He looked older than he had at the gala.
His expensive suit hung loosely around his shoulders.
"Abigail," he said quietly.
She remained standing.
"Tell me the truth."
Richard nodded.
"Margaret discovered Evelyn was pregnant with you. She threatened to destroy your mother's career and take you away if I acknowledged you."
Abigail's eyes filled.
"And you let her?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Richard looked at the table.
"Because I was afraid of losing my company."
The answer shattered something inside her.
"My mother lost everything because you were afraid of losing money."
Richard covered his face.
"I know."
"No. You don't."
Her voice trembled.
"Mom worked double shifts while you attended charity dinners. She cried over medical bills while you bought Vanessa cars worth more than our apartment."
Richard's shoulders shook.
"I sent money."
"Money Mom refused because Margaret threatened her whenever she accepted it."
Richard looked up sharply.
"I didn't know that."
Abigail stared at him.
"That's the problem. You never bothered to find out."
Silence settled over the room.
Finally, Richard spoke.
"Your mother tried to warn me about Margaret before Isabella's accident. I didn't believe her."
Abigail closed her eyes.
"And afterward?"
"I helped conceal evidence. Margaret told me Vanessa would be harmed if I spoke."
Abigail looked toward the investigators.
Richard swallowed.
"I'll testify. About everything."
For the first time, Abigail saw him as something other than a billionaire.
He was simply a frightened man who had made terrible choices.
She felt no obligation to comfort him.
Then Richard reached into his briefcase.
"I know money won't make up for what I did. But there's something your mother never knew."
He placed an old envelope on the table.
Inside was a photograph of Evelyn holding newborn Abigail.
On the back, Richard had written a promise.
One day, I'll bring my daughter home.
Abigail stared at the words.
Richard continued.
"I never kept that promise."
Then he revealed the final secret.
"Margaret didn't arrange your mother's death because of the affair."
Abigail looked up.
"Then why?"
"Because Evelyn discovered Margaret had falsified the Sinclair Foundation's hospital records."
He swallowed.
"And Evelyn had hidden the original evidence in the one place Margaret would never think to search."
"Where?"
May you like
Richard's voice broke.
"Inside the hospital where she worked."
