Chapter 9
Dad came back to the hospital with the diary under his coat.
Not because police allowed it.
Because Judge Reed signed an order preserving it with my counsel.
He sat beside me and looked terrified.
I had never seen my father afraid of me before.
“Tell me,” I said.
He swallowed.
“Rebecca was assaulted while investigating the Vances.”
My hand flew to my mouth.
Dad’s eyes filled.
“She never knew for sure who Lily’s biological grandfather was. She told me after she found out she was pregnant.”
I could barely breathe.
“And you stayed?”
His face broke.
“You were mine before you were born.”
Tears poured down my face.
Dad reached for my hand.
“I cut your cord. I held you through fevers. I taught you to ride a bike. I packed school lunches. I scared boys on prom night.”
A laugh escaped through my sob.
He squeezed my hand.
“Blood did not make me your father. Love did.”
I looked at Lily.
Then at the bruises on my neck.
The Vances had built a religion around ownership.
Wives.
Children.
Money.
Blood.
Dad had built his life around choosing me.
Sarah read the diary that night.
Rebecca had copied financial crimes, property theft, and medical coercion schemes.
She also named Victor as the man who cornered her after she refused to surrender documents.
Two weeks later, she died.
Not in an accident.
Her brake lines had been cut.
Detective Ellis opened a murder investigation before dawn.
Then Marcus called from jail.
I did not answer.
May you like
He left a message.
Emily, if Victor thinks Lily is Vance blood, he will come for her.
