Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN FROM THE PAST
Richard moved the boys to a secure property outside Sydney.
Only five people knew the location.
Richard.
Sarah.
His head of security.
His lawyer.
And David Mercer.
Richard immediately removed David from the list.
But he knew that wasn't enough.
Someone had access to his private systems.
That evening, Sarah found Richard sitting alone on the veranda.
"You haven't slept."
"Neither have you."
She smiled weakly.
"I stopped sleeping a long time ago."
Richard looked at her.
"What happened to Rebecca?"
Sarah stared into the darkness.
"She was my sister."
"I know."
"She raised me after our parents died."
Richard said nothing.
"She was the first person who believed I could become something."
"What happened?"
"She discovered the financial records."
"And then?"
"She called Eleanor."
Richard looked down.
"She trusted my wife."
"Yes."
Sarah's eyes filled.
"Eleanor came to our house that night."
Richard froze.
"She met Rebecca?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was scared."
"What happened?"
"Eleanor said someone was following her."
Sarah wiped her eyes.
"She gave Rebecca a file."
"What was in it?"
"DNA results."
Richard's heart stopped.
"Whose?"
"Thomas."
Silence.
"Rebecca said the results proved Thomas wasn't Eleanor's biological son."
Richard whispered:
"Who was his mother?"
Sarah looked at him.
"That's the question Rebecca never answered."
Before Richard could respond, headlights appeared outside.
Security rushed toward the vehicle.
A woman stepped out.
Richard froze.
He knew that face.
It was impossible.
It couldn't be.
The woman walked slowly toward him.
"Richard."
He couldn't move.
Sarah stood.
"Who is that?"
Richard whispered:
"Eleanor."
The woman stopped.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I didn't want you to find me this way."
Richard's world collapsed.
His wife was alive.
For three years, he had believed she had abandoned him.
She had been alive all along.
"You left me."
Eleanor nodded.
"I know."
"You left your children."
"I know."
"They thought you hated them."
Eleanor broke down.
"I never stopped loving them."
Richard's voice shook.
"Then why?"
Eleanor looked toward the house.
"Because if I stayed, they would have died."
Sarah stepped closer.
"Rebecca?"
Eleanor's expression changed.
"She was right."
Richard stared.
"About what?"
"Everything."
Eleanor pulled a small envelope from her coat.
"I have proof."
Richard opened it.
Inside were DNA reports.
Financial documents.
Photographs.
And one birth certificate.
He read the name.
His face went pale.
Mother: Rebecca Henderson.
Sarah screamed.
"That's impossible."
Eleanor shook her head.
"Rebecca was Thomas's biological mother."
Sarah stepped backward.
"My sister?"
Eleanor nodded.
Richard stared at Thomas through the window.
"Then who is his father?"
Eleanor looked at him.
"That's the part I've been trying to uncover."
Richard felt the room spin.
"Why did you raise him?"
"Because Rebecca asked me."
Sarah began crying.
"Why?"
"Because she knew someone wanted him."
Richard's voice became quiet.
"Who?"
Eleanor looked toward the road.
"They're already here."
A gunshot shattered the night.
The window exploded.
Richard grabbed the boys.
Sarah dropped to the floor.
Eleanor screamed.
Security returned fire.
A vehicle sped away.
Richard looked at Eleanor.
"Who?"
Eleanor's face was white.
"David."
Richard stood.
"No."
Eleanor grabbed his arm.
"Richard."
He turned.
"You trusted him because you needed someone to blame."
Richard stared.
Eleanor whispered:
"He didn't want Thomas."
May you like
She looked toward the boys.
"He wanted all four."
