Chapter 5 - The Secret Lucy Was Afraid to Tell Me
The next morning, I asked Lucy about the clinic.
She immediately started crying.
"I didn't tell you because I was ashamed."
"Of what?"
"Your mother took me there."
"When?"
"Two months before Ava was born."
"What happened?"
Lucy wiped her eyes.
"She told me you had asked her to take me."
"I never did."
"I know that now."
She explained.
Mom had told her the clinic specialized in high-risk pregnancies.
She said my company had arranged an appointment.
Lucy believed her.
At the clinic, they took blood.
Asked questions.
Then a doctor asked her:
"Are you certain Daniel is the father?"
Lucy said yes.
The doctor looked surprised.
"Then why did your mother request this test?"
Lucy said she didn't know.
Afterward, Mom told her never to mention it.
"If Daniel finds out," she said, "he'll think you're hiding something."
That was the trap.
Mom wanted Lucy to be afraid of telling me.
And it worked.
But there was more.
Lucy pulled out a small envelope.
"I kept this."
Inside was a receipt.
Same clinic.
Same date.
But the purchaser was listed as:
Carol Mercer.
Then I saw the handwritten note on the back.
If Daniel asks, say nothing.
I stared at it.
"This is evidence."
"I know."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought you'd believe her."
I shook my head.
"I should have known."
"You were overseas."
"That doesn't excuse it."
"No."
We sat quietly.
Then I took her hand.
"You don't have to protect me anymore."
She cried.
"I just wanted you to come home."
"I did."
"And now?"
I kissed her forehead.
"Now I'm staying."
That afternoon, the investigator called.
They had traced the mysterious caller.
It was a former employee of my mother's company.
He had access to financial records.
He had proof.
My mother had been planning to remove Lucy from the house after creating evidence of "financial irresponsibility."
She wanted custody of Ava.
And she wanted my house.
The house had appreciated dramatically.
Mom had already arranged to refinance it.
Using Lucy's forged power of attorney.
My stomach turned.
She hadn't just wanted a vacation.
She wanted our entire life.
Then the investigator said something else.
"Mr. Mercer, there's one more transaction."
"What?"
"Your mother purchased a life insurance policy."
"On whom?"
May you like
There was a pause.
"Your wife."
