Chapter 9 - The Father of My Baby Came Back
Abigail had imagined seeing Daniel Pierce again a thousand times.
In some versions, she slapped him.
In others, she cried.
Sometimes she imagined him apologizing, explaining everything, and promising to stay.
But when he entered the interview room at the federal building, she felt only exhaustion.
Daniel stopped in the doorway.
His eyes immediately moved to her belly.
"Abby."
She stiffened.
"Don't call me that."
He nodded.
"Okay."
Matteo stood near the door.
Rachel Bennett sat beside Abigail.
Daniel looked thinner than she remembered.
There was a healing bruise beneath his left eye.
"Is the baby okay?" he asked.
Abigail's voice was steady.
"He's fine."
Daniel exhaled shakily.
"Thank God."
She looked at him.
"Why did you leave?"
He lowered his head.
"Because I was a coward."
The honesty surprised her.
Daniel explained that Margaret Sinclair had hired him to monitor Evelyn Foster years earlier.
After Evelyn died, his assignment shifted to Abigail.
He was supposed to gain her trust, locate the missing letters, and report everything to Margaret.
"I didn't expect to fall in love with you," he said.
Abigail laughed bitterly.
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"No."
"Did you know who my father was?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
"You watched me spend years wondering why nobody wanted me."
"I'm sorry."
"You were there when I cried about my mom. You held me when I couldn't sleep. You told me I could trust you."
His voice broke.
"I know."
"And every day you were reporting back to the woman who hurt her."
Daniel lowered his head.
"Yes."
Abigail stood.
"I don't want excuses."
"I didn't come to ask you to forgive me."
"Then why?"
"To testify against Margaret. To give the authorities everything I know."
Matteo watched him carefully.
Daniel continued.
"Margaret has been planning something for years. Richard wants to keep the past buried, but Margaret wants complete control of the family assets."
"Why now?" Rachel asked.
Daniel looked at Abigail.
"Because Richard changed his estate plan."
Abigail frowned.
"What does that have to do with me?"
Daniel swallowed.
"Margaret discovered that Richard had secretly created a trust for Abigail."
"How much?"
Daniel hesitated.
"One hundred and twenty million dollars."
Abigail stared at him.
But Daniel wasn't finished.
"That's not the reason Margaret is afraid."
"Then what is?"
"Because Richard also signed a document acknowledging you as his daughter."
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Abigail felt the room tilt.
"And that document gives you the right to challenge Vanessa's inheritance."
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