Chapter 7 - The Daughter in the Cross Family
Vanessa Cross was released from police custody before sunrise.
Her father’s lawyers argued that the clinic payment had been connected to a legitimate medical consultation and that any misuse of the funds had occurred without Vanessa’s knowledge.
By morning, news outlets were broadcasting footage from the ballroom.
Adrian kissing Vanessa.
Sophia dropping her wedding ring.
Gabriel announcing his identity.
The Bennett family’s secrets were no longer private.
Hospital administrators moved Sophia to a protected room under another name.
Maya requested an emergency restraining order against Adrian.
Julian remained beside Sophia while Eleanor returned to the estate to search old records.
At noon, Charles Bennett arrived alone.
Sophia almost refused to see him.
Then she remembered Gabriel’s missing sister.
She allowed him five minutes.
Charles entered without his usual confidence.
He looked exhausted.
“I came to apologize.”
Sophia did not respond.
“I did not know Adrian intended to take custody.”
“You knew about the succession agreement.”
“Yes.”
“You knew he was unfaithful.”
Charles looked away.
“I suspected.”
“And you did nothing.”
“I thought he would end it.”
“You mean you thought he would hide it better.”
Charles accepted the accusation without protest.
Sophia held up the photograph of Elena and the twins.
“Is Vanessa your daughter?”
His face went still.
“Where did you get that?”
“Answer me.”
Charles sat down slowly.
“I don’t know.”
“You recognized the photograph.”
“I believed the girl died.”
“Eleanor says she was taken.”
Charles stared at the image.
“Elena gave birth during a storm. The hospital lost power. When I arrived, Gabriel was alive, but the second child was gone. Elena insisted someone had taken her.”
“Did you search?”
“For years.”
“Did you?”
Anger entered his eyes.
“I hired investigators. I paid informants. Every trail ended.”
“And then Marcus Cross adopted a baby.”
Charles looked at her.
“I did not know the timing matched until Eleanor told me last night.”
“Have you ordered a DNA test?”
“Marcus refuses.”
Sophia almost laughed.
“Since when has refusal stopped your family?”
Charles leaned forward.
“Sophia, if Vanessa is my daughter, the scandal will destroy everyone.”
“Your concern is still the company.”
“My concern is what Adrian may do when he learns the truth.”
“He already knows.”
Charles froze.
“How?”
“The ballroom was full of cameras. Julian mentioned the possibility in front of him.”
Charles stood abruptly.
“We need to find Vanessa.”
Sophia watched him move toward the door.
“Why?”
“Because Adrian will blame her.”
“For being born?”
“For becoming evidence of what he has done.”
Charles left.
Sophia called Julian, who had gone downstairs for coffee.
“No answer.”
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Her phone vibrated with a message from the unknown sender.
Vanessa is on her way to the estate.
Sophia typed:
Why?
Because Adrian told her he has proof you fabricated everything.
Sophia sat upright.
“He’s luring her there.”
Maya immediately called the police.
Sophia called Eleanor.
No answer.
She tried the estate’s main line.
A frightened servant answered.
“Mrs. Bennett, there are people arguing in the west wing.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Adrian and Miss Cross.”
“Where is Eleanor?”
“In the archive room.”
The line disconnected.
Sophia turned to Maya.
“We have to go.”
“You’re in premature labor.”
“The contractions stopped.”
“You were attacked six hours ago.”
“If Adrian believes Vanessa can expose him, he may hurt her.”
Maya stared at her.
“This woman helped plan to take your child.”
“Yes.”
“And you still want to save her?”
Sophia looked at the photograph of the twins.
“I want to know who taught her to become my enemy.”
Dr. Chen refused to discharge Sophia.
Sophia signed a form accepting the risk.
Maya arranged a private ambulance to transport her while she remained lying down.
By the time they reached the Bennett estate, police vehicles surrounded the gates.
Sophia stepped carefully from the ambulance.
Julian ran toward her.
“Why are you here?”
“You stopped answering.”
“Adrian took my phone.”
“Where is he?”
Julian looked toward the west wing.
“With Vanessa.”
A scream came from inside the house.
They ran.
In Adrian’s office, Vanessa stood near the fireplace with blood on her lip.
Adrian held a pistol.
Eleanor was beside the locked archive door.
Charles stood between Adrian and Vanessa.
“Put the gun down,” Charles said.
Adrian laughed.
“Everyone suddenly wants to protect her.”
Vanessa’s voice shook.
“You told me Sophia was unstable.”
“She is.”
“You told me the medication was safe.”
“It was supposed to be.”
“You knew I might be your sister.”
Adrian’s face twisted.
“That is a lie Gabriel invented.”
Charles stepped closer.
“It may be true.”
Adrian pointed the gun toward him.
“Then you destroyed all of us.”
“No,” Charles said. “I did that years ago.”
Vanessa began crying.
For the first time, she did not look glamorous or cruel.
She looked like a terrified child.
“I don’t know who I am.”
Sophia entered the room.
Everyone turned.
Adrian’s grip tightened around the weapon.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Sophia looked at Vanessa.
“Neither should she.”
Adrian aimed at Sophia.
Julian stepped in front of her.
“Put it down.”
Adrian’s eyes were wild.
“You all think she won. She has the company, the sympathy, the child.”
“I don’t want your company,” Sophia said.
“You took it.”
“You gave it away when you betrayed me.”
Adrian moved the gun toward her stomach.
“Then maybe the agreement ends with the heir.”
Vanessa screamed.
She threw herself against Adrian.
The gun fired.
The sound shook the room.
Vanessa fell.
Blood spread across her silver dress.
Adrian stared at the weapon.
Charles struck him.
The gun slid across the floor.
Police rushed inside.
Sophia dropped beside Vanessa.
Vanessa’s eyes fluttered.
“Why?” she whispered.
Sophia pressed both hands against the wound.
“Why are you helping me?”
“Because no child should pay for the sins of this family.”
Vanessa tried to speak again.
A thin chain slipped from beneath her dress.
May you like
Attached to it was a small red bracelet.
The same bracelet worn by the female infant in Elena’s photograph.
