Chapter 7: The Truth My Mother Left Behind
I met Dr. Rebecca Lane the next morning.
She chose a quiet office away from the hospital.
No crowds.
No cameras.
No witnesses.
Just a small room with two chairs and a stack of papers.
"I need to apologize," she said before we sat.
I frowned.
"For what?""
"For not finding you sooner.""
I looked at the file in her hands.
"You knew?""
She nodded.
"Your mother asked me to protect these records.""
"Why?""
Dr. Lane took a breath.
"Because she knew your father would try to control the story.""
Those words shouldn't have surprised me.
But they did.
Because every time someone confirmed what I had suspected, a small part of me still hoped they were wrong.
Maybe my father had made one mistake.
Maybe Felicity had made one mistake.
Maybe my entire childhood hadn't been built around a lie.
But it had.
Dr. Lane opened the file.
"Your mother came to me after the accident.""
I looked down.
"She was sick then.""
"Yes.""
My throat tightened.
"She knew she didn't have much time.""
Dr. Lane nodded.
"She wanted to make sure you knew the truth someday.""
She pulled out a letter.
Another letter.
My hands shook.
"Why didn't she give it to me?""
"Because she tried.""
I looked up.
"What happened?""
Dr. Lane hesitated.
"Your father took control of everything after her condition worsened.""
I felt anger rise.
"He took her letters?""
"He took many things.""
My hands tightened.
"Why?""
"Because your mother was documenting what happened.""
She handed me the letter.
I didn't open it immediately.
I was afraid.
Afraid that after all these years, there would be another piece of my life that had been stolen.
Finally, I unfolded it.
The handwriting was weak.
But it was hers.
*My sweet Jenna,*
I stopped.
The room blurred.
*If you are reading this, then I hope you finally know what I have always known. You are brave. You are compassionate. You are not invisible.*
A tear slipped down my cheek.
I continued.
*Your father and Felicity may have convinced the world of a different story, but they cannot change who you are.*
I closed my eyes.
Because my mother knew.
She knew exactly what they were doing.
*Please don't waste your life trying to make people recognize your worth. The people who truly love you will never need convincing.*
I pressed the letter to my chest.
For years, I had wanted my family to say those words.
And my mother had written them before I even knew I needed them.
Dr. Lane waited quietly.
Finally, I asked:
"Was there anything else?""
She nodded.
"There was.""
My heart sank.
She placed another document on the table.
"This is the reason your mother was so determined.""
I read the heading.
*Legal Statement of Intent.*
"What is this?""
"Your mother was preparing to challenge your father's decisions regarding family assets.""
I looked confused.
"Assets?""
Dr. Lane nodded.
"She discovered something.""
"What?""
She looked at me.
"Your father had been moving money.""
I stared.
"What money?""
"Your mother's inheritance.""
Everything went quiet.
My mother had inherited money from her parents.
Money that was supposed to support me.
After she died, my father managed everything.
And now...
"He took it?""
Dr. Lane didn't answer directly.
"He redirected it.""
I felt sick.
"To where?""
The door opened.
I turned.
Silas stood there.
I hadn't expected him.
"Jenna.""
I looked at him.
"What are you doing here?""
He stepped inside.
"I spoke with Dr. Lane.""
My confusion grew.
"Why?""
He looked at the documents.
"Because I found something too.""
He placed a folder on the table.
My heart sank.
"What now?""
Silas opened it.
"This is from my company's legal investigation.""
I looked at him.
"Why would your company investigate my family?""
His expression was serious.
"Because Felicity didn't just hide the truth about the accident.""
He paused.
"She hid another connection.""
I stared.
"What connection?""
Silas looked at me.
"Your father wasn't only protecting Felicity.""
My stomach tightened.
"He was protecting himself.""
He pushed a document forward.
I read the first line.
And my blood turned cold.
*Transfer of Montgomery Foundation donation funds.*
I looked up.
"What is this?""
Silas's voice was quiet.
"Sixteen years ago, my foundation offered a scholarship and financial support to the family of the child who saved my life.""
I stopped.
"The child?""
"Yes.""
I looked at the document again.
"And?""
Silas's jaw tightened.
"The money never reached you.""
The room went silent.
Because suddenly, the story wasn't just about a stolen moment.
It was about a stolen future.
And then Silas said the one thing I never expected.
"Jenna, your father didn't just erase your name.""
May you like
He looked at me.
"He profited from it.""
