Chapter 14 - The Second Lie
Nobody spoke.
I finally managed one word.
"Adoption?"
Maris looked at Henry.
He closed his eyes.
That hurt more than her answer.
"Dad?"
He sat down heavily.
"You were three days old when we brought you home."
My mouth went dry.
"You told me Mom nearly died giving birth to me."
Maris cried harder.
"I nearly did. Just not from childbirth."
"Stop talking in riddles."
Henry looked at me.
"Your biological mother was my younger sister, Claire."
I stared at him.
"Aunt Claire died when I was a baby."
"She died giving birth to you. Your biological father was Victor Dane."
I stood so fast the chair tipped backward.
"No."
Maris reached for me.
I stepped away.
"Don't touch me."
Henry's voice broke.
"Claire begged us to raise you. Victor was married. He wanted the pregnancy hidden."
"So you both agreed?"
"We loved you," Maris said.
"Then why are there records in a vault?"
She looked ashamed.
"Because Victor kept proof. Insurance. Leverage."
Ortiz leaned forward.
"Leverage for what?"
Henry answered.
"If Noah is legally recognized as Victor's biological son, Victor can challenge portions of the Sterling bloodline trust. He can't inherit Sterling assets directly, but he can attack Noah's standing, freeze control, and force a settlement."
I thought of my newborn son upstairs.
"So this was never only about Dad's money."
"No," Henry said. "It was about ownership."
Ortiz's radio crackled.
Officers had entered the foundation garage.
Victor's car was there.
Victor was not.
Then another officer broke in.
"Detective, we have a security alert at maternity."
My blood turned to ice.
"What kind of alert?"
"A man used a maintenance stairwell and entered the newborn wing."
Briar.
Henry.
May you like
My son.
I ran before Ortiz finished the sentence.
