Chapter 6 - The Child Richard Sinclair Refused to Claim
By morning, the Sinclair family scandal had reached every major gossip website in Chicago.
Photographs showed Vanessa striking Abigail.
Another showed Matteo kneeling to pick up her name tag.
A headline described the incident as a confrontation between a billionaire heiress and a pregnant hotel employee.
But the internet knew only a fraction of the truth.
Richard Sinclair knew the rest.
He called Matteo at eight.
"We need to discuss Abigail."
Matteo answered from his office.
"Then start by admitting who she is."
Richard was silent.
Matteo continued.
"She's your daughter, isn't she?"
"That is a private family matter."
"Your daughter assaulted her own half sister."
Richard inhaled sharply.
"Vanessa doesn't know."
"Then tell her."
"You don't understand what this would do to my family."
Matteo's voice hardened.
"I understand what your silence has already done."
An hour later, Richard arrived at the Grand Atoria.
Abigail had agreed to meet him with Matteo and an attorney present.
Richard entered carrying an expensive leather briefcase.
He looked nothing like a man preparing to meet his daughter.
He looked like a businessman attending a negotiation.
"Abigail," he began.
She stared at him.
"Did you know about me?"
Richard lowered his eyes.
"Yes."
The word struck harder than she'd expected.
"All my life?"
"Yes."
Abigail swallowed.
"Did you know Mom worked two jobs?"
Richard said nothing.
"Did you know she couldn't afford her medication during her last year?"
His expression tightened.
"I provided assistance when I could."
Abigail laughed bitterly.
"Mom sold her wedding ring to pay the electric bill."
Richard looked away.
"I was under tremendous pressure."
"From Margaret?"
He froze.
Abigail leaned forward.
"Is she alive?"
Richard's silence answered before his words did.
"Abigail, there are circumstances you don't understand."
"Then explain them."
Richard opened his briefcase.
Inside was a document and a cashier's check.
Five million dollars.
"Sign this agreement. You and your child will be financially secure."
Abigail stared at the check.
"What agreement?"
"A confidentiality and non-disparagement arrangement."
Her face went pale.
"You want to buy my silence?"
"I want to protect everyone involved."
"No."
Richard blinked.
"Abigail, five million dollars is more money than you'll earn in a lifetime."
She stood carefully.
"My mother raised me without your money. I can raise my son without it too."
Richard's expression changed.
"You're making a mistake."
Matteo rose.
"Meeting's over."
Richard gathered his papers.
Then he stopped at the doorway.
"Abigail, if Margaret learns you've refused, I may not be able to protect you."
Abigail stared at him.
"Protect me from what?"
Richard looked at her belly.
May you like
And whispered the answer.
"From what she did to the last woman who carried my child."
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