Chapter 5: The Child Who Asked Why
Victor crossed the room toward Celeste.
“Who did you send them to?”
“The trust auditor, Miriam’s private server and a journalist who owes me a favor.”
Julian stared at his wife.
“You knew about the letters?”
“I knew Victor was hiding something.”
Victor lowered his voice.
“Celeste, Julian’s company loan comes through my bank.
Delete those files, or he loses everything by morning.”
Celeste placed her phone in Miriam’s hand.
“Then we lose the company.”
Julian blinked.
“You would do that?”
“I would rather lose a building than watch four children lose their family.”
Victor pointed at her.
“You have spent ten years enjoying everything my decisions paid for.”
“And ten years believing Rose stole from the family charity because you showed me false accounts.”
“They were certified.”
Celeste reached into her evening bag and unfolded a scorched piece of paper.
“Then why did I find this in your fireplace?”
Miriam read the surviving lines.
“It is a transfer from the children’s fund to a company called V.H.
Holdings.”
Victor snatched for it, but Julian moved in front of Celeste.
“No.”
“You’ll regret choosing her over your own family.”
“She is my family.”
Behind them, Sam tugged Eleanor’s sleeve.
“Grandmother?”
Eleanor knelt slowly.
“Yes, darling?”
“Why did you send our birthday cards back?”
Her hand began to shake.
“I never received them.”
“Mum cried when the one with my handprint came back.”
Sam held up his small palm.
Eleanor covered it with both of hers.
“I did not send it back.”
“But Mum said you didn’t want us.”
Eleanor’s shoulders folded.
Naomi knelt beside her as tears ran down the older woman’s face.
“Rose believed what Victor made the evidence say,” Naomi said gently.
Eleanor looked at the boys.
“I should have searched for her.
I accepted his explanation because I was angry, and because believing she had left was easier than admitting I had driven her away.”
Noah swallowed hard.
“Did you stop loving her?”
“Not for one day.”
“Then tell her.”
Naomi’s phone rang.
Everyone froze.
She answered and listened.
“Yes, this is Dr.
Grant.”
Sam gripped Eleanor’s fingers.
Naomi closed her eyes, and a tear slipped down her cheek.
“She made it through surgery.”
The boys rushed into one another.
Eleanor pressed both hands over her mouth.
“Can we speak to her?” Noah asked.
“Only for a moment.”
Naomi switched to video.
Rose’s face appeared against a white pillow, pale but awake.
“My boys?”
“We’re here, Mum,” Noah said.
“We found Grandmother.”
Rose saw Eleanor behind them.
“Mum?”
Eleanor touched the screen.
“I never returned your letters.”
Rose’s eyes filled.
“Then he really did take everything.”
“Not everything,” Eleanor said.
“Your sons are holding my hands.”
Victor backed toward the door.
Rose noticed him.
“Noah, listen carefully.
There is a recorder sewn inside the lining of your backpack.
Give it to Dr.
Grant.”
Noah turned toward the hall, where the backpack had been left.
May you like
Victor’s hand slipped behind his back.
The lights went out.
