Chapter 9 - THE DAUGHTER NOBODY CLAIMED
Claire insisted that Eleanor leave the estate immediately.
Eleanor refused to abandon Victoria.
“My grandmother can't travel without assistance,” she explained over the phone. “And Grandfather has already taken her medication.”
Claire's stomach tightened.
“Why would he do that?”
“He says she needs rest.”
Daniel exchanged a worried glance with Olivia.
They had reached a turning point.
What began as an investigation into a wrongful death now involved financial fraud, suspected unlawful confinement, witness intimidation, and a potentially falsified guardianship.
They needed independent authorities.
Olivia contacted a federal investigator she trusted, Special Agent Marcus Reed.
Reed worked on public corruption cases involving financial crime and obstruction of justice.
He listened carefully.
Then he requested copies of the cassette recording, Henry's statement, the financial records, and Margaret's letters.
He made no promises.
But he agreed the evidence warranted immediate review.
Claire asked about Natalie.
“She's in the district attorney's office. What if Armand reaches her first?”
Reed's expression became serious.
“Do not approach her recklessly. She may be at risk, but she's also entitled to understand the situation without being ambushed.”
Claire agreed.
Natalie had grown up believing the Whitmores were her parents.
Learning that her biological mother had been confined and her identity concealed could destroy everything she thought she knew.
They arranged a meeting through Olivia.
Natalie arrived at Olivia's office the following afternoon.
She was a young woman with dark brown eyes, straight black hair, and a composed expression.
Claire immediately noticed the resemblance to Rebecca's old photograph.
Natalie sat across from them.
“My supervisor said you have information about a historical guardianship case.”
Olivia nodded.
“We do. But first, I want to make sure you understand that this may concern your own history.”
Natalie's expression changed.
“My history?”
Claire leaned forward.
“Do you know whether you were adopted?”
Natalie looked uncomfortable.
“My parents told me I was born prematurely. They never mentioned adoption.”
Olivia placed a copy of the guardianship document on the table.
Natalie examined it.
Then her face drained of color.
“This says November twenty.”
Claire nodded.
“My understanding is that you were born November twelve.”
Natalie stared.
“How do you know that?”
“Because a woman named Rebecca Hale was admitted to Willow Creek Medical Center with an infant daughter.”
Natalie sat back.
“What does that have to do with me?”
Olivia spoke gently.
“We believe you may be that child.”
For several seconds, Natalie didn't move.
Then she shook her head.
“No.”
Claire waited.
“My father is Samuel Whitmore.”
“Yes,” Olivia said. “He raised you. That doesn't automatically tell us what happened before you joined his family.”
Natalie's voice trembled.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because your original records may have been altered without your mother's consent.”
Natalie stood.
“I need to leave.”
Olivia didn't stop her.
But Claire spoke quietly.
“Natalie, my father died trying to protect Rebecca.”
The young woman froze.
Claire continued.
“I'm not asking you to believe us today. I'm asking you to look at the evidence when you're ready.”
Natalie stared at her.
Then her eyes filled with tears.
“My father once told me some families are better left in the past.”
Claire's heart tightened.
“What did he mean?”
“I never knew.”
Natalie left with a sealed copy of the documents.
That evening, Claire received an unexpected call.
Natalie.
Her voice sounded shaken.
“I spoke to my father.”
Claire sat upright.
“What happened?”
“He denied everything.”
“I'm sorry.”
“But then I asked about Rebecca Hale.”
Claire held her breath.
“He dropped his coffee cup.”
Natalie continued.
“He said I shouldn't ask questions about that woman.”
Claire closed her eyes.
“What else?”
“He told me the Beaumonts had given me a wonderful life, and I should be grateful.”
Claire felt cold.
“Did he explain what that meant?”
“No.”
Natalie began crying.
“He said sometimes people have to make difficult decisions to protect children.”
Claire spoke softly.
“You deserve to know what those decisions were.”
“I know.”
Natalie inhaled.
“I found something in his office.”
Claire sat very still.
“What?”
“A letter.”
Natalie read it aloud.
Samuel, the arrangement remains confidential. The child must never be connected to Rebecca Hale. If she asks questions, remind her that her mother abandoned her.
The letter was signed:
Armand Beaumont.
Claire closed her eyes.
Natalie whispered, “He lied to me my entire life.”
“Natalie—”
“And now I need to know whether my mother is alive.”
Claire told her about Margaret's letters.
Then she explained that Rebecca might have escaped.
Natalie became silent.
Finally, she said, “I want to help.”
Claire cautioned her not to access restricted records or place herself in danger.
Natalie agreed.
She would provide the letter to Reed and speak with an attorney about her own records.
Before hanging up, she asked one more question.
“Claire, do you think my mother wanted me?”
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
“I think she fought very hard not to lose you.”
A long silence followed.
Then Natalie whispered, “Thank you.”
The next morning, Natalie arrived at Olivia's office with the original letter.
She also brought an old photograph album.
One picture showed her at age twelve beside Samuel Whitmore.
In the background stood a familiar woman.
Claire leaned closer.
It was Rebecca.
Older.
Her hair darker.
But unmistakable.
Claire stared.
“Where was this taken?”
Natalie examined the caption.
“Portland, Maine. A medical conference. Thirteen years ago.”
Daniel looked up.
“Rebecca was there?”
Natalie nodded slowly.
“She introduced herself as Rachel Bennett. She said she worked at the hotel.”
Claire felt her heart pounding.
May you like
Natalie whispered:
“She gave me a birthday gift that year. And inside the box, she left a note that said, 'I never stopped loving you.'”
