Chapter 9: The Woman Who Was Supposed to Take My Place
I enlarged the photograph.
The woman in the white dress had my dark hair, my height, and almostosed to Take My Place
I enlarged the photograph.
The woman in the white dress had my dark hair, my height, and almost the same facial structure.
She was standing beside Camden in front of a full-length mirror.
His hand rested against her waist.
The woman was smiling.
I looked the same facial structure.
She was standing beside Camden in front of a full-length mirror.
His hand rested against her waist.
The woman was smiling.
I looked at the date.
Three weeks earlier.
Then I looked at Lila's message.
They're planning to replace you.
I called her at the date.
Three weeks earlier.
Then I looked at Lila's message.
They're planning to replace you.
I called her immediately.
She answered on the first ring.
“Vivian?””
“Where are you?””
“I'm at my apartment.””
“Are you alone?””
“Yes immediately.
She answered on the first ring.
“Vivian?””
“Where are you?””
“I'm at my apartment.””
“Are you alone?””
“Yes.””
“Then tell me what that photograph means.””
She began crying.
“Camden said it was a joke.””
“What was.””
“Then tell me what that photograph means.””
She began crying.
“Camden said it was a joke.””
“What was?””
“The dress. The woman. Everything.””
I closed my eyes.
“Start from the beginning.””
L?””
“The dress. The woman. Everything.””
I closed my eyes.
“Start from the beginning.””
Lila took a shaky breath.
“Camden told me that you were going to be declared medically unfit to manage the company. He said you hadila took a shaky breath.
“Camden told me that you were going to be declared medically unfit to manage the company. He said you had been having episodes of confusion and that your lawyers were already preparing the paperwork.””
I looked at Margaret.
She motion been having episodes of confusion and that your lawyers were already preparing the paperwork.””
I looked at Margaret.
She motioned for me to continue.
“Who was the woman in the photograph?””
“Her name is Vanessa Cole.””
“ed for me to continue.
“Who was the woman in the photograph?””
“Her name is Vanessa Cole.””
“Who is she?””
“She works for Eleanor.””
“What does she do?””
“Personal assistant. Sometimes she attends meetings with Camden.””
I stared at the photograph againWho is she?””
“She works for Eleanor.””
“What does she do?””
“Personal assistant. Sometimes she attends meetings with Camden.””
I stared at the photograph again.
“Why was she wearing my wedding dress?””
Lila went silent.
“Lila?””
“Camden told me they were testing something.””
“What?””
“He said Vanessa had been hired to act.
“Why was she wearing my wedding dress?””
Lila went silent.
“Lila?””
“Camden told me they were testing something.””
“What?””
“He said Vanessa had been hired to act as you during a private signing ceremony.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Act as me?””
“Yes.””
I walked toward the window.
“What signing ceremony?””
“He said there would be a medical hearing first. as you during a private signing ceremony.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Act as me?””
“Yes.””
I walked toward the window.
“What signing ceremony?””
“He said there would be a medical hearing first. After that, the company would be transferred to a new holding group. He said you wouldn't be present because you would be recovering After that, the company would be transferred to a new holding group. He said you wouldn't be present because you would be recovering from stress.””
I looked at Margaret.
Her expression had become rigid.
“Lila, did Camden tell you when?””
“Tomorrow morning.””
I from stress.””
I looked at Margaret.
Her expression had become rigid.
“Lila, did Camden tell you when?””
“Tomorrow morning.””
I closed my eyes.
Tomorrow.
The day the property transfer was scheduled.
The day Dr. Harlan had agreed to meet us.
The day Northstar expected closed my eyes.
Tomorrow.
The day the property transfer was scheduled.
The day Dr. Harlan had agreed to meet us.
The day Northstar expected to finalize the transaction.
It was all happening at once.
“Where is Vanessa now?””
“I don't know.””
“Do you have any messages from Camden?””
“Yes.””
“ to finalize the transaction.
It was all happening at once.
“Where is Vanessa now?””
“I don't know.””
“Do you have any messages from Camden?””
“Yes.””
“Can you send them to me?””
She hesitated.
“Vivian, I don't want to get involved in this.””
I almostCan you send them to me?””
She hesitated.
“Vivian, I don't want to get involved in this.””
I almost laughed.
“You are already involved.””
“I know.””
“Then help me understand what he has done.””
She began crying harder.
“I laughed.
“You are already involved.””
“I know.””
“Then help me understand what he has done.””
She began crying harder.
“I didn't know he was married to you when we first started seeing each other.””
I said nothing.
“He told me you were separated. He said the divorce was only waiting didn't know he was married to you when we first started seeing each other.””
I said nothing.
“He told me you were separated. He said the divorce was only waiting for financial arrangements. Then he told me the company would be ours.””
I looked at the scarf lying on my desk.
“Did he tell you where he for financial arrangements. Then he told me the company would be ours.””
I looked at the scarf lying on my desk.
“Did he tell you where he got the money?””
“No.””
“Did he give you anything?””
She hesitated.
Then she whispered:
“A house got the money?””
“No.””
“Did he give you anything?””
She hesitated.
Then she whispered:
“A house.””
I froze.
“What?””
“He bought me a townhouse in Greenwich. He said it was an investment.””
I felt my fingers.””
I froze.
“What?””
“He bought me a townhouse in Greenwich. He said it was an investment.””
I felt my fingers tighten around the phone.
“The Connecticut property?””
“No. Another one.””
“Wh tighten around the phone.
“The Connecticut property?””
“No. Another one.””
“Whose name is on the deed?””
“Mine.””
I looked at Margaret.
She was already writing.
“Did you know he plannedose name is on the deed?””
“Mine.””
I looked at Margaret.
She was already writing.
“Did you know he planned to transfer my house into your name?””
Lila began crying again.
“I saw the paperwork yesterday. I thought it was to transfer my house into your name?””
Lila began crying again.
“I saw the paperwork yesterday. I thought it was just part of the divorce settlement.””
I closed my eyes.
“Lila, listen carefully. Do just part of the divorce settlement.””
I closed my eyes.
“Lila, listen carefully. Do not sign anything. Do not destroy any messages. Do not contact Camden.””
“Will I be arrested?””
“I don't know.””
“ not sign anything. Do not destroy any messages. Do not contact Camden.””
“Will I be arrested?””
“I don't know.””
“Vivian, please.””
I took a breath.
“If you tell the truth and preserve the evidence, that is yourVivian, please.””
I took a breath.
“If you tell the truth and preserve the evidence, that is your best chance of protecting yourself.””
She went quiet.
Then she said:
“I have something else.””
“What?””
“A recording best chance of protecting yourself.””
She went quiet.
Then she said:
“I have something else.””
“What?””
“A recording.””
My pulse quickened.
“What recording?””
“Camden and Eleanor. They were talking in the car after.””
My pulse quickened.
“What recording?””
“Camden and Eleanor. They were talking in the car after a meeting. I didn't know I was recording because my phone was connected to the car's system.””
“Can you send it?””
a meeting. I didn't know I was recording because my phone was connected to the car's system.””
“Can you send it?””
“Yes.””
The file arrived less than a minute later.
Margaret played it.
Camden's voice came first.
“Once the evaluation is signed,“Yes.””
The file arrived less than a minute later.
Margaret played it.
Camden's voice came first.
“Once the evaluation is signed, we won't have to deal with Vivian's objections.””
Eleanor replied.
“And Vanessa?””
“She'll do what she's told we won't have to deal with Vivian's objections.””
Eleanor replied.
“And Vanessa?””
“She'll do what she's told.””
“She needs to understand that she isn't becoming your wife.””
Camden laughed.
“She doesn't need to know that yet.””
Then.””
“She needs to understand that she isn't becoming your wife.””
Camden laughed.
“She doesn't need to know that yet.””
Then Eleanor said something that made me grip the desk.
“Make sure the original medical report is destroyed before the hearing. Eleanor said something that made me grip the desk.
“Make sure the original medical report is destroyed before the hearing. If Harlan opens his mouth, we're finished.””
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Margaret replayed the final section.
Then If Harlan opens his mouth, we're finished.””
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Margaret replayed the final section.
Then she turned to me.
“This is direct evidence of an attempt to manipulate a medical proceeding and destroy records.””
I looked at she turned to me.
“This is direct evidence of an attempt to manipulate a medical proceeding and destroy records.””
I looked at the phone.
“Save everything. Make three copies. One for counsel, one for the investigator, and one for the authorities.””
Margaret nodded.
I called Lila again the phone.
“Save everything. Make three copies. One for counsel, one for the investigator, and one for the authorities.””
Margaret nodded.
I called Lila again.
“Send me the original recording file. Not a forwarded copy.””
“I will.””
“And.
“Send me the original recording file. Not a forwarded copy.””
“I will.””
“And Lila?””
“Yes?””
“Where is the townhouse?””
She gave me the address.
I wrote it down.
Then I asked one final question.
“ Lila?””
“Yes?””
“Where is the townhouse?””
She gave me the address.
I wrote it down.
Then I asked one final question.
“Did Camden ever tell you why he chose you?””
She was silent.
Finally, she answered.
“He said I reminded him of you when you were younger.””
I ended the call.
For a moment, I couldn't move.
I hadDid Camden ever tell you why he chose you?””
She was silent.
Finally, she answered.
“He said I reminded him of you when you were younger.””
I ended the call.
For a moment, I couldn't move.
I had thought the affair was the worst thing Camden had done.
But the affair had been part of something much larger.
He had been building a replacement life.
A woman who could wear my clothes.
A woman who could occupy my house.
A woman who could be presented as the new face of a family business he didn't own.
And apparently thought the affair was the worst thing Camden had done.
But the affair had been part of something much larger.
He had been building a replacement life.
A woman who could wear my clothes.
A woman who could occupy my house.
A woman who could be presented as the new face of a family business he didn't own.
And apparently, he had found someone willing to play along.
Margaret stood.
“I'm contacting the district attorney's office.””
“Do it.””
“Then we need to, he had found someone willing to play along.
Margaret stood.
“I'm contacting the district attorney's office.””
“Do it.””
“Then we need to secure Vanessa.””
I looked at the photograph.
“Find her.””
At 7:30 the following morning, I was standing outside Dr secure Vanessa.””
I looked at the photograph.
“Find her.””
At 7:30 the following morning, I was standing outside Dr. Harlan's former medical office.
Two security officers waited near the entrance.
Margaret had insisted on coming.
. Harlan's former medical office.
Two security officers waited near the entrance.
Margaret had insisted on coming.
Daniel had already arranged for a local investigator to monitor the building.
The reception area was empty.
A receptionist looked up as we entered.
“GoodDaniel had already arranged for a local investigator to monitor the building.
The reception area was empty.
A receptionist looked up as we entered.
“Good morning. Do you have an appointment?””
“Vivian Pierce. I'm morning. Do you have an appointment?””
“Vivian Pierce. I'm here to see Dr. Harlan.””
Her expression changed.
“He's expecting you.””
She led us down a corridor to a private office.
Dr. Harlan stood beside the window.
He was in his late sixties, with thinning gray hair and a carefully pressed shirt.
When he saw me, he immediately extended his hand.
“Mrs. Pierce.””
I didn't take it.
here to see Dr. Harlan.””
Her expression changed.
“He's expecting you.””
She led us down a corridor to a private office.
Dr. Harlan stood beside the window.
He was in his late sixties, with thinning gray hair and a carefully pressed shirt.
When he saw me, he immediately extended his hand.
“Mrs. Pierce.””
I didn't take it.
“You said you had something to tell me about my mother.””
He nodded.
“Please sit.””
I remained standing.
“Tell me.””
He looked“You said you had something to tell me about my mother.””
He nodded.
“Please sit.””
I remained standing.
“Tell me.””
He looked toward Margaret.
“Is she your attorney?””
“Yes.””
“Then I suppose there's no reason to delay.””
He opened a drawer and toward Margaret.
“Is she your attorney?””
“Yes.””
“Then I suppose there's no reason to delay.””
He opened a drawer and removed a thin folder.
“Your mother was admitted to our hospital after experiencing an irregular heartbeat. Her condition was stable. removed a thin folder.
“Your mother was admitted to our hospital after experiencing an irregular heartbeat. Her condition was stable. She was scheduled for a minor procedure the following morning.””
I listened without interrupting.
“On the evening before her death, I received a She was scheduled for a minor procedure the following morning.””
I listened without interrupting.
“On the evening before her death, I received a telephone call from Eleanor Pierce. She said Elizabeth had been agitated and requested a change to her medication.””
“Did telephone call from Eleanor Pierce. She said Elizabeth had been agitated and requested a change to her medication.””
“Did you authorize it?””
“No.””
“Then who did?””
He looked down.
“A nurse administered the medication under a you authorize it?””
“No.””
“Then who did?””
He looked down.
“A nurse administered the medication under a verbal instruction supposedly given by the attending physician.””
“Who was that?””
verbal instruction supposedly given by the attending physician.””
“Who was that?””
“My name.””
I felt cold.
“You never gave the instruction?””
“No.””
“Did you investigate?””
“I tried. But the medication record had already been altered.””
“Why“My name.””
I felt cold.
“You never gave the instruction?””
“No.””
“Did you investigate?””
“I tried. But the medication record had already been altered.””
“Why didn't you report it?””
His face tightened.
“Because I was threatened.””
“By whom?””
“Eleanor.””
I stared at him.
“What didn't you report it?””
His face tightened.
“Because I was threatened.””
“By whom?””
“Eleanor.””
I stared at him.
“What did she threaten?””
“She said she would expose a previous medical error involving my department. She claimed she did she threaten?””
“She said she would expose a previous medical error involving my department. She claimed she had documentation that could end my career.””
“Was it true?””
He looked away.
“Partly.””
Margaret interrupted had documentation that could end my career.””
“Was it true?””
He looked away.
“Partly.””
Margaret interrupted.
“Dr. Harlan, are you saying you knowingly concealed a potentially criminal medication error?””
He nodded.
“Yes.””
“.
“Dr. Harlan, are you saying you knowingly concealed a potentially criminal medication error?””
He nodded.
“Yes.””
“Do you have proof ofDo you have proof of Eleanor's involvement?””
He opened the folder.
Inside was a copy of an email.
The sender was Eleanor Pierce.
The recipient was a hospital administrator.
The subject line read:
*Elizabeth Alden — Medication Adjustment.*
The email was dated the night before my mother died.
I read it.
*The additional dose Eleanor's involvement?””
He opened the folder.
Inside was a copy of an email.
The sender was Eleanor Pierce.
The recipient was a hospital administrator.
The subject line read:
*Elizabeth Alden — Medication Adjustment.*
The email was dated the night before my mother died.
I read it.
The additional dose must be administered before the morning review. Richard cannot be allowed to discover the original discrepancies.
My knees weakened.
Margaret steadied my arm.
“Did you write this?”” must be administered before the morning review. Richard cannot be allowed to discover the original discrepancies.*
My knees weakened.
Margaret steadied my arm.
“Did you write this?”” I asked.
“No.””
“Can you authenticate it?””
“Yes. The original email is still in the hospital's archived system.””
“ I asked.
“No.””
“Can you authenticate it?””
“Yes. The original email is still in the hospital's archived system.””
“Why are you telling me now?””
Dr. Harlan lowered his head.
“Because Eleanor contacted me yesterday. She said if I didn't cooperate withWhy are you telling me now?””
Dr. Harlan lowered his head.
“Because Eleanor contacted me yesterday. She said if I didn't cooperate with her plan to challenge your father's estate, she would release the documents she used to threaten me.””
I looked at him.
“What plan?””
“She wanted me to sign a statement declaring her plan to challenge your father's estate, she would release the documents she used to threaten me.””
I looked at him.
“What plan?””
“She wanted me to sign a statement declaring that your mother had been mentally incompetent when she transferred her shares.””
I felt my stomach turn.
“My mother was never mentally incompetent.””
“I that your mother had been mentally incompetent when she transferred her shares.””
I felt my stomach turn.
“My mother was never mentally incompetent.””
“I know.””
“Then why would you sign it?””
He looked at me.
“Because I'm a coward.””
The honesty of that answer surprised me.
He slid another document across the desk.
“This is the original medication know.””
“Then why would you sign it?””
He looked at me.
“Because I'm a coward.””
The honesty of that answer surprised me.
He slid another document across the desk.
“This is the original medication log. The additional dose was entered after Elizabeth's death.””
I stared.
“After?””
“Yes. Someone altered the timeline log. The additional dose was entered after Elizabeth's death.””
I stared.
“After?””
“Yes. Someone altered the timeline to make it appear that the medication had been administered before she died.””
I closed my eyes.
For nearly thirty years, I had believed my mother died to make it appear that the medication had been administered before she died.””
I closed my eyes.
For nearly thirty years, I had believed my mother died from a sudden medical complication.
Now I was holding evidence that someone might have deliberately caused her death and then altered from a sudden medical complication.
Now I was holding evidence that someone might have deliberately caused her death and then altered the records.
I turned toward Margaret.
“Can we use this?””
She examined the document.
“We can submit the records.
I turned toward Margaret.
“Can we use this?””
She examined the document.
“We can submit it to investigators, but it needs independent authentication.””
Dr. Harlan nodded.
“I'll cooperate.””
Then his it to investigators, but it needs independent authentication.””
Dr. Harlan nodded.
“I'll cooperate.””
Then his office telephone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His face changed.
“It's Eleanor.””
I stared at him.
“Answer it.””
He shook office telephone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His face changed.
“It's Eleanor.””
I stared at him.
“Answer it.””
He shook his head.
“Not here.””
“Answer it.””
He placed the call on speaker.
“Hello?””
Eleanor's voice filled the office.
“Peter, have his head.
“Not here.””
“Answer it.””
He placed the call on speaker.
“Hello?””
Eleanor's voice filled the office.
“Peter, have you signed the statement?””
Dr. Harlan looked at me.
“No.””
There was a pause.
“You were instructed you signed the statement?””
Dr. Harlan looked at me.
“No.””
There was a pause.
“You were instructed to sign it.””
“I can't.””
Her voice became colder.
“Then I suggest you remember what happened to the last person to sign it.””
“I can't.””
Her voice became colder.
“Then I suggest you remember what happened to the last person who decided to become difficult.””
I felt my blood turn cold.
Dr. Harlan swallowed.
“Eleanor, I won't do who decided to become difficult.””
I felt my blood turn cold.
Dr. Harlan swallowed.
“Eleanor, I won't do this.””
“Then perhaps Vivian should hear the truth about what her father did.””
I stepped closer to the telephone.
“What truth?””
A brief this.””
“Then perhaps Vivian should hear the truth about what her father did.””
I stepped closer to the telephone.
“What truth?””
A brief silence.
Then Eleanor laughed.
“Hello, darling.””
“What did my father do?””
“You've been busy collecting silence.
Then Eleanor laughed.
“Hello, darling.””
“What did my father do?””
“You've been busy collecting pieces of a story that was never yours to understand.””
“Answer me.””
“Your pieces of a story that was never yours to understand.””
“Answer me.””
“Your father knew exactly what happened to your mother.””
I froze.
“What?””
“He knew who changed the medication order father knew exactly what happened to your mother.””
I froze.
“What?””
“He knew who changed the medication order. He knew who was in that hospital room. And he spent the.
He knew who was in that hospital room. And he spent the rest of his life making sure the truth never reached you.””
I looked at Dr. Harlan.
He had gone completely pale.
“Eleanor,” I said slowly, “are you telling me my father knew my mother was murdered?””
She didn't answer directly.
Instead, she said:
“ rest of his life making sure the truth never reached you.””
I looked at Dr. Harlan.
He had gone completely pale.
“Eleanor,” I said slowly, “are you telling me my father knew my mother was murdered?””
She didn't answer directly.
Instead, she said:
“Ask Margaret Ellis why she was in Boston the night Elizabeth died.””
I turned.
Margaret's face had lostAsk Margaret Ellis why she was in Boston the night Elizabeth died.””
I turned.
Margaret's face had lost all color.
I stared at my attorney.
“Margaret?””
She didn't speak.
all color.
I stared at my attorney.
“Margaret?””
She didn't speak.
“Why were you there?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she whispered:
“Because your father asked me to help him hide something.””
I took one step backward.
“What?””
Margaret looked at the“Why were you there?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
Then she whispered:
“Because your father asked me to help him hide something.””
I took one step backward.
“What?””
Margaret looked at the floor.
“Vivian, your mother wasn't the floor.
“Vivian, your mother wasn't the only person who left something behind that night.””
She reached into her briefcase and removed a sealed envelope.
It was addressed in my father's handwriting.
But the name on the front wasn't mine.
It was Margaret's.
And underneath it, in smaller letters, were four only person who left something behind that night.””
She reached into her briefcase and removed a sealed envelope.
It was addressed in my father's handwriting.
But the name on the front wasn't mine.
It was Margaret's.
And underneath it, in smaller letters, were four words.
*Only open if Vivian survives.*
The next thirty minutes changed everything I thought I knew words.
*Only open if Vivian survives.*
The next thirty minutes changed everything I thought I knew about my family.
Margaret sat across from me in the small conference room while Dr. Harlan and the security officers waited outside.
The about my family.
Margaret sat across from me in the small conference room while Dr. Harlan and the security officers waited outside.
The envelope remained between us.
I didn't touch it.
“Explain,” I said.
Margaret wiped her eyes.
“Eleven years ago, your father discovered that the financial scheme was connected to envelope remained between us.
I didn't touch it.
“Explain,” I said.
Margaret wiped her eyes.
“Eleven years ago, your father discovered that the financial scheme was connected to something much worse. He believed Eleanor had been involved in your mother's death.””
“Believed?””
“He had evidence. But he didn't have enough to prove something much worse. He believed Eleanor had been involved in your mother's death.””
“Believed?””
“He had evidence. But he didn't have enough to prove it.””
“So what did you hide?””
She opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter and a photograph.
The photograph showed my father it.””
“So what did you hide?””
She opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter and a photograph.
The photograph showed my father standing in a hospital corridor.
Beside him was a nurse.
And in the background, barely visible through a glass door, was a standing in a hospital corridor.
Beside him was a nurse.
And in the background, barely visible through a glass door, was a young woman holding a child.
I recognized the woman immediately.
It was Margaret.
The child was a little girl.
I looked up young woman holding a child.
I recognized the woman immediately.
It was Margaret.
The child was a little girl.
I looked up.
“Who is that?””
Margaret closed her eyes.
“My daughter.””
I stared at her.
“You had a daughter?””
“Yes.””
“Why.
“Who is that?””
Margaret closed her eyes.
“My daughter.””
I stared at her.
“You had a daughter?””
“Yes.””
“Why am I seeing her in a photograph from my mother's hospital?””
Margaret took a shaky breath.
“Because she was born the same night your mother died.””
am I seeing her in a photograph from my mother's hospital?””
Margaret took a shaky breath.
“Because she was born the same night your mother died.””
I couldn't speak.
She continued.
“Your father had discovered that Eleanor was using a private medical services company to arrange unauthorizedI couldn't speak.
She continued.
“Your father had discovered that Eleanor was using a private medical services company to arrange unauthorized procedures and medication orders. He believed she had arranged something involving your mother. He also believed the hospital had become unsafe.””
“And your daughter procedures and medication orders. He believed she had arranged something involving your mother. He also believed the hospital had become unsafe.””
“And your daughter?””
Margaret looked down.
“She was in the neonatal unit. Her mother had died during childbirth. Your father arranged for her to be transferred to another hospital under a protected identity because he?””
Margaret looked down.
“She was in the neonatal unit. Her mother had died during childbirth. Your father arranged for her to be transferred to another hospital under a protected identity because he believed Eleanor's people were searching for the original medical records.””
I stared at her.
“Why would Eleanor search for a newborn?””
Margaret opened the letter.
The first paragraph contained the answer.
*Margaret, believed Eleanor's people were searching for the original medical records.””
I stared at her.
“Why would Eleanor search for a newborn?””
Margaret opened the letter.
The first paragraph contained the answer.
Margaret, if you are reading this, then I have failed to protect both girls.
I felt my breath catch.
Both girls.
My mother had died.
Margaret's if you are reading this, then I have failed to protect both girls.*
I felt my breath catch.
Both girls.
My mother had died.
Margaret's daughter had been born.
And my father had apparently been protecting two children.
I looked at Margaret.
“Who was the other daughter had been born.
And my father had apparently been protecting two children.
I looked at Margaret.
“Who was the other girl?””
She didn't answer.
I read the next line.
*The child must never be told that her girl?””
She didn't answer.
I read the next line.
The child must never be told that her birth was connected to Elizabeth's final medical file.
I looked at the photograph again.
Then I looked at Margaret.
“Where is your daughter now?””
Margaret's lips trembled.
“She grew up.””
“Where?””
“She lives birth was connected to Elizabeth's final medical file.*
I looked at the photograph again.
Then I looked at Margaret.
“Where is your daughter now?””
Margaret's lips trembled.
“She grew up.””
“Where?””
“She lives in New York.””
“What's her name?””
Margaret looked directly into my eyes.
Then she whispered:
“Lila Monroe.””
I felt the room tilt.
The scarf.
The mistress.
The woman Camden had brought onto my jet.
The woman who had laughed at me.
Lila.
Margaret's daughter.
in New York.””
“What's her name?””
Margaret looked directly into my eyes.
Then she whispered:
“Lila Monroe.””
I felt the room tilt.
The scarf.
The mistress.
The woman Camden had brought onto my jet.
The woman who had laughed at me.
Lila.
Margaret's daughter.
And apparently, my father's last protected secret.
I stared at her.
“Does Lila know?””
Margaret shook her head.
“No.””
I slowly pushed the photograph away.
“Then why wasAnd apparently, my father's last protected secret.
I stared at her.
“Does Lila know?””
Margaret shook her head.
“No.””
I slowly pushed the photograph away.
“Then why was Camden involved with her?””
Margaret began crying.
“Because Eleanor knew who she was.””
I looked at the letter again.
My father's final Camden involved with her?””
Margaret began crying.
“Because Eleanor knew who she was.””
I looked at the letter again.
My father's final paragraph contained a sentence that made my heart pound.
If Camden ever brings Margaret's daughter into Vivian's life, understand that it is not an accident.
I lifted my eyes paragraph contained a sentence that made my heart pound.
If Camden ever brings Margaret's daughter into Vivian's life, understand that it is not an accident.
I lifted my eyes.
“Margaret, what exactly did my father believe Eleanor wanted from Lila?””
Margaret looked at me.
And for the.
“Margaret, what exactly did my father believe Eleanor wanted from Lila?””
Margaret looked at me.
And for the first time, she seemed more frightened than anyone else in the room.
“Your mother had another child, first time, she seemed more frightened than anyone else in the room.
“Your mother had another child, Vivian.””
I couldn't move.
“That's impossible.””
Margaret shook her head.
“No. Your mother gave birth to twins.””
Vivian.””
I couldn't move.
“That's impossible.””
Margaret shook her head.
“No. Your mother gave birth to twins.””
The world went silent.
“One of them was you,” she continued.
“The other was placed under a different identity after the hospital incidentThe world went silent.
“One of them was you,” she continued.
“The other was placed under a different identity after the hospital incident.””
I looked at the photograph.
At Lila.
At the woman wearing my anniversary scarf.
And suddenly, the resemblance I had dismissed as coincidence made terrible sense.
Marg.””
I looked at the photograph.
At Lila.
At the woman wearing my anniversary scarf.
And suddenly, the resemblance I had dismissed as coincidence made terrible sense.
Margaret's voice broke.
“Lila is your biological sister.””
I stared at her.
Then I asked the only question that mattered.
“Does Camden know?””
Margaret closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
And beforearet's voice broke.
“Lila is your biological sister.””
I stared at her.
Then I asked the only question that mattered.
“Does Camden know?””
Margaret closed her eyes.
“Yes.””
And before I could say another word, my phone lit up with a message from Lila.
Vivian, I found something in Camden's office.
A photograph appeared.
It showed an old hospital birth certificate.
Two I could say another word, my phone lit up with a message from Lila.
Vivian, I found something in Camden's office.
A photograph appeared.
It showed an old hospital birth certificate.
Two names.
Two birth times.
And beneath them, a handwritten note from Eleanor Pierce.
*Only one daughter can inherit the Alden fortune.* names.
Two birth times.
May you like
And beneath them, a handwritten note from Eleanor Pierce.
*Only one daughter can inherit the Alden fortune.*
