Chapter 4 - The Man Who Knew My Mother's Secret
I spent the next three hours trying to understand why someone would threaten a pregnant nurse over a frightened little boy.
Dominic sat quietly while I read the documents he'd brought.
There were court records.
Old hospital reports.
Letters.
And one photograph of my mother standing beside a man I'd never seen before.
"Who's this?" I asked.
Dominic looked at the picture.
"Adrian Vale."
I frowned.
"Your father?"
"My uncle."
Something in his expression made me uncomfortable.
"Was he the one who threatened Mom?"
Dominic nodded.
"My father died while awaiting trial. Adrian took over the family business and convinced the court that Eleanor had manipulated me."
I stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because she knew what my father had done. And Adrian wanted control of the money."
I looked at the photograph again.
Adrian was handsome in a cold, polished way.
He stood too close to my mother.
His hand rested on her shoulder.
Mom wasn't smiling.
My stomach twisted.
"She looks afraid."
Dominic leaned closer.
"That's why I've been searching for her."
I looked up.
"Why now?"
He hesitated.
"Because Adrian has been moving assets out of the company. I believe he hid the money through accounts created during my childhood."
"And Mom knew?"
"She might've known where the original records were."
I shook my head.
"My mother lived in a tiny apartment and worked double shifts. If she knew about hidden money, she never used it."
Dominic's expression softened.
"I believe you."
For some reason, those three words nearly made me cry.
I'd spent most of my life defending Mom against people who dismissed her as poor, naive, or unsuccessful.
Dominic didn't need convincing that she was honorable.
He already knew.
Then Frank approached our booth.
"Lily, there's someone here asking for you."
I turned.
A tall man in an expensive tan coat stood near the entrance.
He looked about sixty.
His silver hair was neatly combed.
His expression was pleasant.
Until his eyes landed on Dominic.
Then his smile vanished.
Dominic stood so abruptly the booth shifted.
"Adrian."
The man stopped.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Adrian Vale looked at me.
"My goodness," he whispered.
His eyes traveled over my face.
"You look exactly like Eleanor."
I stepped backward.
"How do you know my mother?"
Adrian smiled again.
"Your mother and I were very close."
Dominic moved between us.
"Leave."
Adrian ignored him.
Instead, he reached into his pocket and removed a gold locket.
He opened it.
Inside was a photograph of my mother holding a newborn baby.
Me.
Adrian looked directly at Dominic.
"She never told you, did she?"
Dominic's expression changed.
"Told me what?"
Adrian smiled coldly.
"Why Eleanor Carter really disappeared."
May you like
Then he turned toward me.
"Because Lily Carter isn't who she thinks she is."
