Chapter 8: The Man Behind My Birth Certificate
For several seconds, nobody moved.
I stared at my grandmother.
"My father is dead.""
Margaret shook her head.
"No, sweetheart.""
I looked at the birth registration again.
Graham Mercer.
The man who had spent the afternoon threatening me.
The man who had arranged my grandmother's disappearance.
The man who had been standing beside my former husband while announcing another generation of the Mercer family.
I couldn't breathe properly.
"You're saying Graham is my biological father?""
Margaret closed her eyes.
"Yes.""
The room seemed to tilt.
I stepped away from her.
"That's impossible.""
"Your mother was very young when it happened.""
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
"Because your grandfather raised you as his own.""
I stared at her.
"Grandpa knew?""
"Yes.""
"And he never told me?""
Margaret began crying.
"He loved you more than anything. He wanted you to have a normal life.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Normal?""
My voice broke.
"Grandma, I married Graham's son.""
She covered her mouth.
"And now I'm finding out that the man I called my father wasn't my biological father, that my mother may be alive, and that the man who arranged my marriage might actually be my father?""
Margaret nodded slowly.
"I know.""
I turned toward Beatrix.
"Can we verify this?""
"Yes," she said carefully.
"But we need independent DNA testing and certified records. We cannot treat that birth registration as conclusive on its own.""
I nodded.
"Do it.""
Then I looked at the nurse.
"Where is the man downstairs?""
"He's in reception.""
"Tell him I'm not available.""
The nurse hesitated.
"He said it was urgent.""
"Tell him I'm not available.""
She left.
Margaret grabbed my hand.
"Evie, please listen to me.""
I turned.
"Did you know he was my father when I married Roland?""
"Yes.""
I felt something inside me collapse.
"And you let me marry his son?""
"I tried to stop it.""
"How?""
"I sent letters.""
I stared at her.
"What letters?""
"Several. Your grandfather intercepted them. He believed the truth would destroy you.""
I shook my head.
"Where are they?""
Margaret pointed toward the cabinet.
"In the blue folder.""
Beatrix retrieved it.
Inside were six envelopes.
All addressed to me.
All unopened.
The dates stretched across three years.
One had been sent shortly after my engagement.
Another after my wedding.
The final one was dated two months before my first fertility treatment.
My hands trembled as I opened the oldest letter.
My dearest Evelyn,
There are things about your family that you deserve to know. Your grandfather loves you, but he is protecting a secret that may one day affect your future.
I stopped reading.
I couldn't do it.
Not yet.
A knock sounded at the door.
Then a man's voice.
"Margaret.""
Graham.
My grandmother began shaking.
Beatrix stepped between us and the doorway.
"Mr. Mercer, this is a private room.""
Graham entered anyway.
He wore the same expensive suit from the baby shower.
His expression was controlled, but his eyes immediately went to the documents on the table.
Then to me.
"Evelyn.""
I stared at him.
"Get out.""
He ignored me.
"Margaret, you've caused enough trouble.""
My grandmother shrank into her chair.
I stepped forward.
"Don't speak to her like that.""
Graham turned.
"You have no idea what you've walked into.""
"I think I do.""
He looked at the birth registration.
His jaw tightened.
"Where did you get that?""
"From my grandmother.""
He looked at her.
"You promised me.""
Margaret lifted her chin.
"I promised your father I would protect Evelyn.""
Graham laughed.
"Your husband is dead.""
"And he was a better man than you.""
For the first time, I saw Graham lose control.
He stepped toward her.
"Do you know what this family sacrificed to keep you both protected?""
I moved between them.
"What sacrifice?""
He looked at me.
"Everything.""
I shook my head.
"Then explain why my mother disappeared.""
Graham went still.
I continued.
"Explain why my grandmother was declared dead. Explain why my grandfather left me a letter warning me about you.""
He lowered his voice.
"Your grandfather was a sentimental fool.""
"And you?""
He looked at me for a long moment.
"I'm the man who made sure you had a future.""
I almost laughed.
"You arranged for me to marry your son.""
"I arranged for you to be protected.""
"From what?""
"From people who wanted your inheritance.""
I pointed toward the documents.
"By stealing it yourself?""
His face hardened.
"You have no understanding of what was at stake.""
"Then tell me.""
He glanced at Beatrix.
"Not in front of your lawyer.""
"She's staying.""
Graham sighed.
Then he pulled a chair toward the bed and sat down.
"Your mother was involved with several people before she married your grandfather's son.""
I frowned.
"My grandfather's son?""
He ignored the question.
"She became pregnant. The family wanted the child protected from scandal. Your grandfather agreed to raise you.""
"Why?""
"Because he loved your mother.""
"Did he?""
Graham's expression changed.
"More than you understand.""
I stared at him.
"Then why did he let everyone believe she was dead?""
Graham looked away.
"Because she made a choice.""
"What choice?""
"She left.""
My heart pounded.
"Where?""
"I don't know.""
I didn't believe him.
He stood.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a company to run.""
I stepped in front of him.
"You're not leaving until you explain the documents.""
He looked down at me.
"You really think you can threaten me?""
"No.""
I reached into my handbag and removed the certified DNA report.
"I think science can.""
His eyes dropped to the page.
For a moment, his expression changed.
Then he smiled.
"That report concerns the baby, doesn't it?""
I didn't answer.
He leaned closer.
"Let me give you some advice, Evelyn. Don't confuse being biologically related to someone with having any claim over their life.""
I held his gaze.
"Funny. That's exactly what I was about to tell you.""
He left.
The moment the door closed, Margaret began crying.
I sat beside her.
"Grandma, tell me the truth.""
She took my hand.
"Your mother didn't leave willingly.""
I went still.
"What?""
Margaret looked toward the window.
"She was going to expose Graham's financial arrangements. She had discovered that he was using children and inheritance claims to manipulate the family trust.""
"Was she pregnant?""
Margaret nodded.
"She had just given birth to you.""
"Then what happened?""
"One night, she came to my house. She was terrified. She told me Graham had threatened to take you away.""
My throat tightened.
"Did he?""
"No. Your grandfather intervened. He took you home and arranged for you to be raised under his name.""
"Where did my mother go?""
Margaret wiped her cheeks.
"She disappeared before sunrise.""
I looked at the letters.
"And these?""
"She sent them to me over the years.""
My heart stopped.
"From where?""
Margaret reached into the cabinet and pulled out a small address book.
"She used different names.""
I opened it.
Several addresses were written inside.
Most were crossed out.
But one had a recent date beside it.
Three months ago.
I read it aloud.
"Rosewood Lane.""
Beatrix immediately photographed the page.
"We'll investigate this address.""
I looked at my grandmother.
"Do you think she's alive?""
Margaret squeezed my hand.
"I've prayed for that every day.""
Before we left, I kissed her forehead.
"I'll come back tomorrow.""
She nodded.
"Promise me something.""
"What?""
"Don't let Graham get close to Camille's baby.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
Margaret looked at me.
"Because Graham doesn't want a grandson.""
I waited.
"He wants control of the child.""
I thought about the succession agreement.
The money.
The forged signatures.
Then she added something that made my skin crawl.
"He already has a plan to remove Camille from the picture after the birth.""
I stood.
"What?""
Margaret looked exhausted.
"I heard him discussing it with Roland.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from Alistair.
Evelyn, Camille has disappeared.
A second message followed.
Roland says she's been taken to a private maternity clinic. He won't tell me which one.
I immediately called him.
He answered on the first ring.
"Where are you?""
"Outside the estate.""
"What happened?""
"Camille left this morning. Her car was found abandoned near the motorway.""
My stomach tightened.
"Have you contacted the police?""
"Yes. Roland told them she was receiving medical care.""
"Do you believe him?""
"No.""
I looked toward Beatrix.
She had already started making another call.
Then Alistair said something else.
"Evelyn, there's something you need to know.""
"What?""
"I found another agreement in Father's office.""
"What agreement?""
His voice cracked.
"One that says Camille will not retain custody of the baby after delivery.""
I closed my eyes.
"And who gets custody?""
A long silence.
May you like
Then Alistair whispered:
"Roland.""
