Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO LEFT
Michael was not in Texas.
That was the first lie.
The second was worse.
Police traced the number that texted Connor.
The phone had connected to a cell tower less than six miles from the hospital.
Michael had been nearby the entire time.
Connor stared at the message.
“He told me he lived in Dallas.”
I hugged him.
“He lied to you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
But I intended to find out.
Officer Martinez asked Connor not to reply.
Connor nodded.
Then his phone buzzed again.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Another message followed.
YOUR MOM NEEDS YOU.
Connor’s face twisted.
“Is she in jail?”
“Not right now.”
Sabrina had been released pending investigation.
That made me furious.
But Martinez explained that the videos were being reviewed by detectives and child protection investigators.
My mother had also been ordered to stay away from Grace temporarily.
Temporarily wasn’t enough.
I wanted miles.
States.
Continents.
The next morning, Grace was discharged.
We didn’t go home.
Police warned me that someone had already been inside my apartment.
Instead, Aunt Linda offered us her guest room.
I hesitated.
Trust had become expensive.
But Grace loved Linda.
So did Connor.
We went.
At 9:30 that night, someone knocked.
Linda looked through the peephole.
Her face drained.
“It’s Michael.”
Connor stood instantly.
“Dad?”
I grabbed his shoulder.
“Stay here.”
Michael knocked again.
“Linda, I know they’re inside.”
I called Martinez.
Then I approached the door without opening it.
“What do you want?”
Michael’s voice came through the wood.
“Rachel?”
“Yes.”
“I need to talk.”
“Talk through the door.”
“This isn’t safe.”
“For who?”
“Any of us.”
I looked at Linda.
She shook her head.
Michael lowered his voice.
“Diane knows Connor recorded her.”
“I figured that out.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it.”
“She’s been planning this for almost a year.”
“Why?”
Silence.
“Michael?”
“Because of the trust.”
My pulse jumped.
“What trust?”
He exhaled.
“Your father’s.”
I stared at the door.
“My father didn’t have a trust.”
“Yes, he did.”
“No.”
“Diane told you there was nothing left after he died.”
“That’s what happened.”
“No.”
Michael sounded almost sorry.
“Your father left property, investments, and a life insurance trust.”
My mouth went dry.
“For who?”
“You.”
I couldn’t answer.
“And Sabrina?”
“Not directly.”
I heard movement behind the door.
Michael continued.
“The trust transfers fully when you turn thirty-five.”
I was thirty-four.
My birthday was six weeks away.
“And Grace?”
“If you die before thirty-five, Grace becomes the beneficiary.”
The room seemed to shrink.
Linda whispered.
“Oh my God.”
I gripped the doorframe.
“And if I lose custody?”
Michael didn’t answer.
My stomach twisted.
“If I lose custody, who controls Grace’s money?”
Finally, he said it.
“Her legal guardian.”
My mother wasn’t trying to take my child because she thought I was a bad mother.
She wanted access to my father’s money.
I heard Connor start crying behind me.
Michael continued.
“Rachel, there’s more.”
“What?”
“The trust is worth around eight million dollars.”
Linda gasped.
I felt nothing.
No excitement.
No disbelief.
Only rage.
“How do you know this?”
“Because I helped Diane find the documents.”
“Why?”
“My business failed.”
His voice cracked.
“She promised me money.”
I closed my eyes.
“So you sold my daughter.”
“No.”
“You helped them.”
“I didn’t know they’d hurt her.”
“You knew they wanted custody.”
“Yes.”
“You knew they were lying.”
“At first, yes.”
“Then you’re no better.”
Michael went quiet.
Sirens sounded faintly outside.
Martinez was coming.
Michael spoke quickly.
“Rachel, listen carefully.”
“What?”
“There is one original document Diane still needs.”
“What document?”
“Your father’s handwritten amendment.”
“Where is it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then why does it matter?”
“Because it changes who controls the trust.”
My heart started pounding again.
“Who?”
Michael whispered.
“You.”
Then tires screeched outside.
Michael shouted.
“Oh, hell.”
A car door slammed.
A second later, someone pounded against Linda’s front door.
Not Michael.
A woman.
My mother.
“RACHEL!”
She screamed my name.
May you like
“OPEN THIS DOOR!”
Then the front window shattered.
