Chapter 13 - The Missing Heir
The photograph changed everything.
Daniel refused to believe it.
"That's impossible."
Emma placed it on the table.
"You recognize her."
"No."
"Look again."
Daniel did.
His face slowly changed.
"I've seen her."
"Where?"
"I don't know."
Emma pointed to the child.
"And him?"
Daniel stared.
His hands began shaking.
"I don't remember."
Emma looked at him.
"Daniel, who is this?"
He stood.
"I need air."
"No."
He stopped.
"You don't get to walk away again."
Daniel closed his eyes.
Then he whispered:
"My father had another family."
Emma said nothing.
"Before my mother."
"Who was the woman?"
"I don't know."
"Who was the child?"
Daniel looked at the photograph.
"I was told he died."
Emma's eyes narrowed.
"Who told you?"
"My mother."
Silence.
Emma sat back.
Vivian had lied before.
About the debt.
About the estate.
About the trust.
Now perhaps about Daniel's brother.
Marcus entered the room.
He saw the photograph.
His expression changed.
"Where did you get that?"
Emma looked at him.
"You know her?"
Marcus didn't answer.
"Marcus."
He sighed.
"I've seen her name."
"Where?"
"In the original trust."
Emma froze.
"Her name is there?"
"Yes."
"Under what role?"
Marcus opened his laptop.
He searched.
Then he looked up.
"Co-beneficiary."
Daniel stared.
"That's impossible."
Marcus continued.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"The child."
Emma leaned forward.
Marcus found the record.
"Male beneficiary."
Daniel whispered:
"His name?"
Marcus read it.
Then stopped.
"Daniel..."
"What?"
"The name is Daniel Mercer."
The room became silent.
Daniel stared at him.
"No."
Marcus shook his head.
"Same name."
Emma looked between them.
"Two Daniels?"
Marcus nodded.
"According to the trust."
Daniel backed away.
"That's not possible."
Emma remembered the photograph.
The child.
The woman.
The secret trust.
The hidden debt.
Everything was connected.
Then Marcus's phone rang.
He answered.
A few seconds later, he looked at Emma.
"The woman from the photograph has been found."
Emma stood.
"Where?"
May you like
Marcus swallowed.
"At the Mercer estate."
