Chapter 5 - THOMAS HALE
Thomas Hale lived in Montauk.
No mansion.
No private security.
No driver.
Just a weathered cedar house overlooking the Atlantic.
Avery had gone there alone.
She had expected a liar.
Instead, an elderly man opened the door and nearly collapsed when she said Liam's name.
Now Liam stood in the Sterling library staring at his wife.
“You met him?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because he asked me not to.”
Liam laughed in disbelief.
“So everyone gets to decide what I deserve to know?”
Avery flinched.
“You're right.”
He looked at her.
“I should have told you.”
“Why didn't you?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“That you'd think I was trying to destroy your family.”
Victoria laughed bitterly.
“You were.”
Avery turned.
“No.”
Then she looked back at Liam.
“I was trying to understand why your mother was terrified of a medical record.”
Liam sat down.
“Tell me about Thomas.”
Avery hesitated.
“He has Parkinson's.”
Liam's anger disappeared for a moment.
“How bad?”
“Some days are better than others.”
“Does he know about me?”
“Yes.”
“Has he always known?”
“Yes.”
Liam looked toward Victoria.
She looked away.
“Why didn't he contact me?”
Avery answered carefully.
“Because he signed an agreement.”
Victoria stood.
“This conversation is over.”
Liam ignored her.
“What agreement?”
Avery opened her phone.
“A confidentiality agreement.”
“Between who?”
“Thomas and the Sterling family.”
Victoria moved toward Avery.
Liam stepped between them.
“Don't.”
Victoria stopped.
Avery continued.
“Thomas received money to disappear from your life.”
Liam stared at his mother.
“How much?”
Victoria said nothing.
“HOW MUCH?”
The shout startled Leo.
The baby began crying.
Liam immediately stopped.
Avery rocked Leo gently.
Liam turned away, ashamed.
“I'm sorry.”
Avery touched his arm.
“He's okay.”
Victoria watched them.
Something unreadable crossed her face.
Liam looked back.
“How much did you pay Thomas?”
“I didn't.”
“Then who did?”
“Your grandfather.”
Liam's eyes narrowed.
“Why?”
Victoria swallowed.
“Because Thomas changed his mind.”
“About what?”
“About giving you up.”
Liam's face tightened.
Victoria continued.
“After you were born, Thomas wanted to be part of your life.”
“And Dad?”
“Daniel refused.”
“Did you?”
Victoria didn't answer.
Liam understood.
“You wanted Thomas around.”
Tears appeared in Victoria's eyes.
She blinked them away immediately.
“I didn't know what I wanted.”
Avery suddenly saw something she had never seen in Victoria before.
Regret.
Not enough to excuse anything.
But real.
Victoria sat down.
“Your grandfather discovered what had happened.”
“He told Thomas that if he ever approached you, the Sterling family would ruin him.”
Liam stared.
“And you let him?”
“I was twenty-seven.”
“You were my mother.”
Victoria's voice broke.
“I was afraid.”
Liam looked toward the ballroom doors.
Outside, the celebration had collapsed into chaos.
Then his phone vibrated.
He looked down.
Unknown number.
A message.
Avery saw his expression change.
“What is it?”
Liam turned the screen toward her.
May you like
There were only seven words.
ASK VICTORIA WHY DANIEL REALLY DIED.
