Chapter 19 - The Woman Who Disappeared
Margaret finally told the truth.
Twenty-three years earlier, Caroline's aunt, Eleanor, had discovered financial records proving that several powerful officials had been stealing money from a government redevelopment program.
When Eleanor threatened to expose them, they created a false identity for her.
Then they staged her death.
Caroline's father had helped because he believed he was protecting his family.
“But why did they leave me alive?” Caroline asked.
“Because they needed someone to carry the secret without knowing it,” Margaret answered.
Caroline stared at her.
“What secret?”
Margaret pointed toward another box.
Inside was a birth certificate.
Caroline's birth certificate.
But there was something strange about it.
The original date had been crossed out.
A second date had been written beneath it.
Travis looked at Caroline.
“Someone changed your records.”
Caroline shook her head.
“That doesn't make sense.”
Margaret's eyes filled with tears.
“Your father wasn't your biological father.”
Caroline stepped backward.
“No.”
“He adopted you.”
“Why?”
“Because Eleanor's daughter was the only person they could never find.”
Caroline stared at Margaret.
“I am Eleanor's daughter?”
Margaret nodded.
The room seemed to tilt.
Then a sound came from above.
May you like
A door slammed.
Someone was inside the house.
