Chapter 5 - THE REAL FLYNN VANCE
They returned to New York under federal protection.
Mabel refused to hide.
She had spent too many years believing other people controlled her life.
That ended now.
At a secure Manhattan office, Detective Harris introduced her to a man sitting beside the window.
Mabel stopped.
It was the face from the video.
The real Flynn Vance.
He stood slowly.
“I’m sorry.”
Mabel studied him.
“You have no idea how much I hate hearing that.”
He nodded.
“I deserve it.”
“You knew about me.”
“Yes.”
“You knew Elias was pretending to be you.”
“Yes.”
“You knew he was married to me.”
Flynn looked down.
“Yes.”
Mabel's anger rose.
“Then why didn't you stop him?”
“Because Richard threatened my sister.”
Selina stepped into the room.
Flynn looked at her.
“He threatened Selina.”
Mabel looked between them.
“So both of you were trapped.”
“Yes.”
“And my father?”
Flynn answered.
“Edward escaped before Richard could kill him.”
Mabel folded her arms.
“Why didn't anyone tell me?”
Flynn's voice broke.
“Because everyone believed Richard would kill you if you knew.”
Mabel shook her head.
“He almost destroyed me anyway.”
Silence.
Then Harris placed a file on the table.
“We found the missing financial records.”
Mabel opened it.
The numbers were enormous.
Richard had stolen nearly $400 million through a network of shell companies.
But there was something stranger.
The final transfers all led to one account.
Elias Mercer.
Mabel stared.
“He stole from Richard?”
Harris nodded.
“Apparently.”
That changed everything.
“Why?”
Flynn looked at her.
“Because Elias wasn't loyal to Richard.”
“Then who was he loyal to?”
Flynn's expression hardened.
“Your mother.”
Mabel froze.
“My mother is alive.”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
Nobody answered.
Then the door opened.
A woman entered wearing a simple navy coat.
Her hair was silver.
Her eyes were tired.
Mabel knew her immediately.
“Mom?”
The woman stopped.
Tears filled her eyes.
“Mabel.”
Mabel couldn't move.
For eight years she had believed both parents were gone.
Now they were standing in front of her.
Her mother crossed the room.
Mabel stepped back.
“You let me grieve you.”
“I had no choice.”
“You always had a choice.”
Her mother nodded.
“You're right.”
Mabel's voice cracked.
“You missed everything.”
“I know.”
“My wedding.”
“I watched.”
“My graduation.”
“I watched.”
“My pregnancy.”
“I watched.”
Mabel stared at her.
“From where?”
Her mother reached into her purse.
“Everywhere.”
She placed hundreds of photographs on the table.
Mabel as a child.
Mabel in college.
Mabel with Flynn.
Mabel at her wedding.
Mabel pregnant.
Someone had watched her entire life.
Mabel looked up.
“Who took these?”
Her mother whispered:
“Elias.”
Mabel's stomach turned.
“Why?”
“Because I ordered him to protect you.”
Mabel stared.
“You ordered him to marry me?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because Richard had already selected another man.”
Mabel frowned.
Her mother continued.
“Elias was supposed to expose Richard.”
“But instead he became my husband.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Her mother looked at her.
“Because he fell in love with you.”
Mabel's breath caught.
“No.”
“He was supposed to leave after six months.”
“But he stayed.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Her mother’s voice softened.
“Because somewhere along the way, his mission became real.”
Mabel sat down.
The revelation should have made her feel better.
It didn't.
Because real love didn't erase eight years of lies.
Then her phone rang.
Elias.
Mabel answered.
His voice was calm.
“You know everything now.”
“Almost.”
“Good.”
“What do you want?”
“A meeting.”
“Where?”
“The Vance headquarters.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
Mabel stared at her parents.
Elias continued.
“Come alone.”
Mabel almost laughed.
“You really don't know me.”
He paused.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I learned from you.”
She hung up.
Then she looked at Harris.
“Let's go.”
Her mother grabbed her hand.
“Mabel, wait.”
Mabel turned.
Her mother whispered:
“Elias isn't the final enemy.”
“Who is?”
Her mother looked terrified.
“Richard.”
Mabel stared.
“Richard is controlling Elias.”
“No.”
Her mother shook her head.
“Richard is controlling someone far closer.”
“Who?”
May you like
Her mother answered:
“Your doctor.”
