Chapter 12 - Thomas's Sin
Thomas did not deny it.
He stared at the hospital floor and admitted the part he had hidden even from his ledger.
Two days after Ryan's birth, Anna tried to leave with the baby.
Margaret told Thomas that Anna was unstable and dangerous.
Dr. Harlan agreed.
Then Margaret brought another cup.
"I saw her pour it," Thomas said. "I asked what it was. She said it would calm Anna down."
Ryan's voice was low. "And you let her drink it?"
"I was twenty-eight. My father was threatening to cut me off. Anna was screaming that they were trying to steal you. I thought she was having some kind of breakdown."
"She was telling the truth."
Thomas nodded.
"Yes."
Ryan walked to the window.
"You had twenty-six years to fix it."
"I know."
"No. You don't get to say that like it closes the distance."
Anna was brought to the hospital later that evening for evaluation after North Briar.
She met Sophie in a quiet family room.
Her hands trembled when I placed the baby in her arms.
"She's beautiful," Anna whispered.
Ryan watched from the doorway.
Anna looked up at him.
"You don't have to forgive Thomas because I survived."
Thomas flinched.
Anna continued.
"Survival doesn't erase what people chose while you were trapped."
Then she turned to Jessica.
"And you are not responsible for your mother's crimes."
Jessica began to cry.
For one moment the room felt almost peaceful.
Then Detective Brooks entered.
"We have a problem."
Dr. Harlan had used a charter service under another name.
The plane never left Georgia.
Instead, its passenger manifest listed one destination canceled at the last minute.
Carter Industries headquarters.
Ryan frowned.
"Why would Harlan go there?"
Miriam answered from behind him.
May you like
"Because the original trust records are kept in the executive archive."
And if those records disappeared, Margaret could challenge everything Sophie had just inherited.
