Chapter 6 - THE SECRET BABY
Lena arrived at the Whitmore estate just before sunset.
The house looked different now.
The same white columns.
The same perfect garden.
The same expensive cars.
But Lena no longer saw wealth.
She saw secrets.
She saw the patio where Eli's cobbler had been kicked across the ground.
She saw the house where Margaret had spent decades hiding the truth.
Daniel opened the door.
“She's in the library.”
“Is she alone?”
“Yes.”
“Does she know I'm here?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Daniel stepped aside.
Lena walked into the library.
Margaret sat near the fireplace.
She looked older than she had that morning.
Much older.
A blanket covered her shoulders.
Her face was pale.
But her eyes were alert.
“Lena.”
Lena stood across from her.
“You wanted to see me.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me about my sister.”
Margaret closed her eyes.
“I don't know where to begin.”
“Begin with the truth.”
Margaret looked at her.
“I met your mother in 1988.”
“She worked for your family.”
“Yes.”
“Why did she leave?”
“She discovered that my husband was stealing money from the company.”
Lena frowned.
“My father?”
Margaret nodded.
“Your father was not a good man.”
Lena had never known that.
“My mother loved him.”
“She did.”
“Then why did she leave?”
“Because she became pregnant.”
Lena felt a chill.
“With my sister?”
“Yes.”
Margaret looked down.
“Your mother was pregnant with a girl.”
“And you?”
“I was pregnant with Daniel.”
Lena stared.
“Both of you were pregnant at the same time?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
Margaret's hands began to shake.
“The babies were born on the same night.”
Lena already knew that.
“What happened after?”
Margaret looked at the fire.
“I was unconscious after giving birth.”
“And my mother?”
“She was awake.”
“Then what happened?”
Margaret's voice broke.
“When I woke up, I was told my son had died.”
Lena stared.
“What?”
“They said there had been complications.”
“Daniel was alive.”
“I know that now.”
“Then who was the baby you were given?”
Margaret looked at Lena.
“Your sister.”
The words seemed to echo.
Lena took a step backward.
“You were given my mother's baby?”
“I was told she was my son.”
“Who told you?”
Margaret shook her head.
“I don't know.”
“You don't know?”
“I was drugged. I was confused. I had just given birth.”
“You held her.”
“Yes.”
“You raised her?”
“No.”
Margaret's eyes filled with tears.
“She was taken from me.”
Lena froze.
“What?”
“Three days later, the hospital told me my baby was alive.”
“Your baby?”
“The child I had been given.”
Lena stared.
“What happened?”
“I went to see her.”
“And?”
“She was gone.”
“Gone where?”
“They said there had been a mistake.”
Lena's heart pounded.
“What mistake?”
Margaret looked away.
“They said the baby wasn't mine.”
Lena felt dizzy.
“Then where was Daniel?”
Margaret began to cry.
“They brought him back to me.”
“Your real son?”
“I don't know.”
Lena stared.
“You don't know if Daniel is your son?”
Margaret shook her head.
“I was never allowed to ask questions.”
“Why?”
“Because the hospital records were sealed.”
“By whom?”
Margaret did not answer.
Lena stepped closer.
“By whom?”
Margaret whispered:
“Your father.”
Lena felt her stomach turn.
“My father?”
“He had influence.”
“Over the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he knew the truth.”
“What truth?”
Margaret looked at her.
“That the babies had been switched.”
Lena's voice became barely audible.
“Which babies?”
Margaret closed her eyes.
“Daniel.”
“And my sister?”
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
“I don't know.”
Lena's anger exploded.
“You don't know?”
“I tried to find her.”
“When?”
“For years.”
“You had thirty-six years!”
“I was told she was dead!”
Lena froze.
“Who told you?”
Margaret's face collapsed.
“Your father.”
The room became silent.
Lena stepped backward.
Her father had told Margaret that the baby was dead.
Her mother had believed she was an only child.
Daniel had been raised as Margaret's son.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, a baby girl had disappeared.
Lena turned toward the door.
Margaret called after her.
“Lena.”
She stopped.
Margaret's voice trembled.
“There is something else.”
Lena did not turn around.
“What?”
“Your mother knew where the baby was.”
Lena slowly looked back.
“What did you say?”
Margaret stared at her.
“Claire found her.”
Lena's heart stopped.
“When?”
“Years later.”
“Where?”
Margaret shook her head.
“I don't know.”
“Who does?”
Margaret looked toward the hallway.
“Your father.”
Lena felt the room spin.
“My father is dead.”
May you like
Margaret whispered:
“Then you need to find his journals.”
