Chapter 4 - MY FATHER'S SECRET
My father took one step toward me.
I stepped backward.
“No.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“Hannah.”
“Don't call me that.”
“You're my daughter.”
“You died.”
“No.”
“I saw your coffin.”
“I know.”
“Who was in it?”
He looked away.
“I can't tell you.”
I laughed in disbelief.
“Of course you can't.”
Adrian tried to intervene.
I turned on him.
“Stay out of this.”
He stopped.
My father looked at Maren.
“She’s going into labor.”
A nurse rushed in.
“Everyone out except the father.”
My father looked at Adrian.
“I'll stay.”
Adrian nodded.
I stared at both men.
Two people who had apparently known each other for years.
Two men who had built an entire world of secrets around me.
And I had been the last person to know.
I followed my father into the hallway.
“Tell me everything.”
He sighed.
“I discovered what Graham was doing.”
“You knew him?”
“He was my business partner.”
My stomach tightened.
“What kind of business?”
“Financial consulting.”
“You helped him?”
“At first.”
“And then?”
“I found out where the money was going.”
“Bribes?”
“Yes.”
“Fraud?”
“Yes.”
“Murder?”
My father went silent.
I knew the answer.
“Who?”
“Your mother.”
The hallway seemed to disappear.
“My mother died of cancer.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“She was sick.”
“She was poisoned.”
I stared at him.
“No.”
“She discovered the accounts. Graham found out.”
My father explained that my mother had been investigating suspicious transfers.
When she confronted Graham, he threatened her.
Then she became ill.
The doctors believed it was natural.
My father didn't.
He began investigating.
Graham discovered that my father had copied the financial records.
So he threatened to kill me.
My father made a deal.
He would disappear.
In return, Graham would leave me alone.
“But the funeral?”
“My father arranged it.”
I looked at him.
“My grandfather?”
“He helped.”
“What happened to the man in the coffin?”
“A criminal who died without family.”
I felt sick.
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I thought it was the only way to keep you alive.”
“And Adrian?”
“I asked him to watch you.”
I stared.
“Watch me?”
“Yes.”
“That's why he married me?”
My father looked down.
“Not entirely.”
That answer hurt.
“Then why?”
My father finally met my eyes.
“Because somewhere along the way, he fell in love with you.”
I almost laughed.
“That doesn't excuse any of this.”
“No.”
He nodded.
“It doesn't.”
The maternity ward doors opened.
A nurse ran toward us.
“Mr. Cole?”
Adrian appeared.
“What happened?”
“The baby is coming.”
Maren's voice could be heard from inside.
Then another nurse ran past us.
“Call security!”
Everyone froze.
“Why?”
The nurse's face was pale.
“Someone found a way into the restricted corridor.”
My father immediately grabbed my arm.
“We're leaving.”
“Why?”
“Because Graham isn't here for Maren.”
I stared at him.
“Then who is he here for?”
My father looked at me.
“You.”
He pulled a photograph from his coat.
It showed me as a child.
Standing beside my mother.
And behind us was Graham.
May you like
Written across the back were four words:
The daughter is next.
