Chapter 9 - The Third Secret
We locked down the estate.
Nobody entered.
Nobody left.
Every child received protection.
But fear had already entered the house.
Noah tried to remain calm.
Sophie stayed beside Caleb.
I didn't sleep.
At three in the morning, I found Grace sitting outside the children's bedroom.
“You've been doing this every night.”
She nodded.
“Why?”
She hesitated.
“Because their mother asked me.”
I froze.
“My wife?”
Grace nodded.
“Four years ago.”
I stared at her.
“You knew her?”
“She hired me.”
“What did she tell you?”
Grace looked toward the bedroom.
“She knew she was going to die.”
My chest tightened.
“She told me that if anything happened, I was to protect the children.”
“All three?”
Grace hesitated.
“Yes.”
I stared at her.
“All three?”
She looked away.
I suddenly understood.
“What aren't you telling me?”
Grace's eyes filled with tears.
“Your wife didn't have twins.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
“She had triplets.”
I couldn't move.
“Three babies.”
“Where is the third?”
Grace shook her head.
“I don't know.”
“Who does?”
She whispered:
“Vanessa.”
I found Vanessa in the secure holding room.
She looked exhausted.
But when I entered, she smiled.
“You finally know.”
“Where is the third child?”
She said nothing.
“Where?”
“You'll never find her.”
Her.
A daughter.
My daughter.
“What is her name?”
Vanessa smiled.
“Emma.”
I felt the room disappear.
“Sophie?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Vanessa leaned back.
“Emma was given to someone who could protect her.”
“Who?”
She smiled.
“The only person your family was too afraid to touch.”
I waited.
Vanessa whispered:
“Your wife.”
I stared at her.
“My wife is dead.”
“Yes.”
May you like
Vanessa's smile widened.
“That's what you believe.”
