CHAPTER 5 — The Child Hidden in Plain Sight
CHAPTER 5 — The Child Hidden in Plain Sight
Alexander stared at Vanessa.
“That is impossible.”
The security chief placed a file on the desk.
“The baby was transferred from the maternity ward under a false medical order. Three days later, she was registered under another name.”
“What name?”
The security chief hesitated.
“Amelia Cross.”
Clara covered her mouth.
Alexander recognized the name.
Amelia Cross was the seven-year-old daughter of Vanessa’s widowed sister, Margaret.
The child had visited the mansion dozens of times.
She had eaten at their table.
Played in the garden.
Called Alexander “Uncle.”
Vanessa had hidden his daughter in plain sight.
Alexander grabbed his coat.
“Bring the car.”
Vanessa blocked his path.
“You can’t take Amelia.”
“She is my child.”
“She belongs to Margaret.”
“She was stolen.”
“Margaret raised her.”
“Because you gave her my daughter.”
Vanessa’s voice broke.
“Margaret couldn’t have children.”
“So you kidnapped one?”
“I saved her.”
“You destroyed Eleanor.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Eleanor was going to ruin everything. She was going to marry you. She would have inherited half the Whitmore holdings.”
Alexander looked at her with disbelief.
“That was why?”
“You think love survives poverty? Power? Family pressure? Your father despised her. Your board feared her. Everyone knew she would influence you.”
“So you took our child and invented her death.”
“I gave the baby a good life.”
“And Eleanor?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
“What happened to her?”
“I told her the baby died.”
“You said she was alive last year.”
“She found evidence.”
Clara stepped toward Vanessa.
“Did you kill my mother?”
Vanessa looked at her.
For the first time, there was no arrogance in her face.
Only calculation.
“No.”
“Then who did?”
“I don’t know.”
Clara stared at her.
Vanessa added, “But she should never have gone to Blackwater Clinic.”
Alexander went still.
“What clinic?”
Vanessa realized her mistake.
The security chief immediately began searching his tablet.
“Blackwater Psychiatric Recovery Center,” he said. “Private facility in northern Maine. Closed eight months ago after a fire.”
Clara’s knees weakened.
“My mother died eight months ago.”
Alexander looked at Vanessa.
“You had her committed.”
“She was dangerous.”
“She was searching for her daughter.”
“She was obsessed.”
Clara’s voice shook.
“My mother was not insane.”
Vanessa smiled faintly.
“Neither was the nurse who tried to help her.”
Alexander’s phone rang again.
This time, it was Margaret Cross.
She was crying.
“Alexander, something is wrong. Vanessa called me and told me to take Amelia out of the country.”
He looked at his wife.
“Where are you?”
“At home.”
“Do not leave.”
May you like
Margaret’s voice dropped.
“Alexander, Amelia has the same music box as your twins.”
