Chapter 10 - Rebecca
Garrison did not believe her.
Not at first.
He believed grief had finally become cruel enough to manufacture impossible hope.
"I buried my daughter."
"No," Miriam said. "You buried remains identified through dental records supplied by Conrad's clinic."
Garrison stood from the video terminal.
"Stop."
"Rebecca survived the embolism."
"Stop."
"Conrad transferred her before you arrived."
Garrison struck the table with both hands.
"STOP."
Emily had never heard him shout.
Miriam began sobbing.
"He told her you ordered it."
Garrison froze.
"What?"
"He told Rebecca the project had been yours. He showed her documents with your signature."
"My signature was forged."
"I know that now."
Rebecca had awakened in a private medical facility believing her father had used her pregnancy as part of the family program.
Conrad convinced her Garrison was responsible for the embryo manipulation.
She fled.
For years she lived under another name.
Miriam discovered the truth when Conrad ordered Rebecca located after Chloe's pregnancy succeeded.
Rebecca learned her preserved embryo had been implanted.
She began searching for the baby.
Miriam helped her.
"Where are they?" Garrison asked.
"I don't know their current location."
"You said the baby is with her mother."
"Rebecca moves every twelve hours."
"Give me a number."
"She won't speak to you."
Emily looked at Garrison.
His face had collapsed.
"Why?"
"Because she still believes you built the program."
Ross produced evidence showing Henry Blackwood's signatures and Conrad's alterations.
"We can prove Garrison wasn't responsible."
"Then send it to her."
Miriam shook her head.
"She trusts no electronic records."
Emily suddenly understood.
"Bring her to the ballroom."
Everyone looked at her.
"What ballroom?" Ross asked.
"The Blackwood Foundation benefit."
Garrison frowned.
"That's six weeks away."
"Then move it."
"Emily."
"If Conrad thinks we're publicly exposing him, he'll come."
"And Rebecca?"
"Give Miriam a message."
"What message?"
Emily looked directly into the camera.
"Tell Rebecca that if she believes Garrison is guilty, she should come watch him answer for it in front of everyone."
Miriam stared.
"She might."
"Good."
Garrison looked at Emily.
"You are not attending."
She smiled.
"Of course I am."
"You're due that week."
"Then I suppose the twins will enjoy a charity event."
For the first time in months, Garrison almost laughed.
The event became bait.
Invitations were expanded.
Medical executives.
Researchers.
Politicians.
Journalists.
Federal prosecutors.
Former clinic employees.
Dr. Voss.
Dr. Keene.
Dr. Nair.
Every person whose presence would make secrecy impossible.
Julian received an invitation.
So did Chloe.
Chloe had spent months blaming Emily for everything.
She believed Emily had seduced an older billionaire.
She believed Julian's increasingly erratic behavior resulted from Emily's revenge.
She did not know her baby lived.
That secret would not remain hidden.
Three days before the gala, Chloe confronted Julian in their kitchen.
Emily later watched the footage recovered from Julian's security system.
"Was she yours?"
Julian avoided the question.
Chloe struck him.
"Was my daughter yours?"
He whispered, "No."
Chloe collapsed against the counter.
"Then whose?"
Julian said nothing.
Chloe grabbed a knife.
"Tell me."
"Rebecca Blackwood."
"Who the hell is Rebecca Blackwood?"
"The woman whose embryo you were carrying."
Chloe dropped the knife.
Then she asked the most devastating question.
"Is my daughter alive?"
Julian looked away.
That was answer enough.
Chloe screamed.
Two days later, she still walked into the charity gala holding Julian's arm.
May you like
Not because she had forgiven him.
Because she had made a decision of her own.
