Chapter 9: The Daughter Nobody Knew Existed
The woman in the photograph looked strangely familiar.
Same eyes as my grandfather.
Same smile.
Same stubborn expression.
“Who is she?”” I whispered.
My grandfather answered from the video call.
“Her name is Evelyn.””
My father stood immediately.
“No.””
Everyone turned.
My father looked terrified.
Not angry.
Terrified.
“You know her.””
He didn’t respond.
Detective Morgan watched him carefully.
“Robert, who is Evelyn Hayes?””
My father sat down slowly.
“My sister.””
The room went silent.
“You said she died.””
My father looked away.
“She left.””
“Why?””
Nobody spoke.
Then my grandfather said:
“Because Robert made sure she had no reason to come back.””
My father’s face changed.
“You’re lying.””
“No.””
My grandfather’s voice was calm.
“Evelyn discovered what you were doing with the family money.””
My father looked furious.
“She was unstable.””
A voice came from the doorway.
“No.””
Everyone turned.
A woman stood there.
Older.
Calm.
Strong.
The woman from the photograph.
Evelyn.
My grandfather’s daughter.
My father’s sister.
She looked at me.
“I’m sorry you had to learn everything this way.””
Nobody moved.
My father whispered:
“You’re dead.””
Evelyn smiled sadly.
“That was the story you told everyone.””
She walked inside.
Detective Morgan stepped forward.
“Ms. Hayes, we need to ask you some questions.””
Evelyn nodded.
“I expected that.””
She looked at me.
“Rachel, your grandfather asked me to watch over you.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because if Robert knew I was alive, he would know the plan failed.””
I looked at my father.
“So you knew everything?””
“I knew enough.””
She placed a folder on the table.
“I collected proof.””
Inside were bank records.
Messages.
Photos.
Everything.
My father’s entire plan.
My sister’s debts.
My mother-in-law’s payments.
The poison order.
All connected.
Then Evelyn turned toward Daniel.
“And I know about you too.””
Daniel looked nervous.
“What?””
She placed another document down.
“Your agreement with Robert.””
My heart stopped.
“What agreement?””
Daniel looked like he couldn’t breathe.
Evelyn answered.
“Before Daniel helped your grandfather fake his death, Robert approached him.””
I turned slowly.
“Daniel?””
He closed his eyes.
“I was going to tell you.””
“What agreement?””
Daniel whispered:
“He offered me money.””
My chest tightened.
“You took it?””
“No.””
“Then why?””
“Because I wanted proof.””
He looked at me.
“I pretended to cooperate.””
Evelyn nodded.
“He helped us expose Robert.””
I wanted to believe him.
But the damage was already done.
Too many secrets.
Too many lies.
Then my daughter moved.
For the first time in days.
A tiny kick.
I froze.
My hand went to my belly.
Daniel saw it.
His eyes filled with tears.
“She’s okay.””
I nodded.
But before I could say anything, Detective Morgan received a call.
She listened.
Then looked at my father.
“We found the final piece.””
My father’s face went pale.
“What?””
Detective Morgan looked at everyone.
“The person who ordered the poison wasn’t Robert.””
Nobody moved.
“What?””
She opened the file.
“The order was placed under another name.””
My heart raced.
“Whose?””
She looked directly at me.
And said:
“Rachel Hayes.””
My blood turned cold.
“That’s impossible.””
Detective Morgan shook her head.
“The paperwork says you ordered the medication.””
Everyone stared at me.
My father smiled.
For the first time in days.
Because he thought he had won.
But Detective Morgan continued:
“Except there is one problem.””
She held up the document.
“The signature was copied.””
A pause.
“Someone tried to frame you.””
I looked around the room.
Everyone had a motive.
Everyone had lied.
But one person had the access.
One person had been near my documents.
One person knew my signature.
Then Evelyn whispered:
“Rachel…”
I looked at her.
“The person who forged your name is the person we haven’t questioned yet.””
My heart stopped.
May you like
“Who?””
She looked toward Daniel.
