Chapter 9 - The Last Piece of the TruthSarah explained that she had helped Elizabeth disappear twenty-two years ago.
She had provided documents.
A safe house.
A new identity.
She had watched Elizabeth raise Lily.
She had also helped hide Noah.
But she had never known where Noah had gone.
Victoria listened.
Then asked:
“Why didn't Elizabeth contact me?”
Sarah sighed.
“She wanted to.”
“Then why?”
“Because every time she tried, someone stopped her.”
“Who?”
“Your father.”
Victoria closed her eyes.
“I suspected.”
“He monitored your phone.”
Victoria looked shocked.
“What?”
“He knew Elizabeth might contact you.”
Sarah continued.
“He wanted you to believe she hated you.”
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
“Why?”
“Because he needed you dependent on the family.”
The truth was worse than Victoria imagined.
Her father had manipulated her entire life.
He had isolated her from Elizabeth.
He had used Richard.
He had protected Rebecca.
And he had built an empire on lies.
But Sarah had one final revelation.
“Your father wasn't the mastermind.”
Victoria stared.
“Who was?”
Sarah looked at Lily.
“Elizabeth's biological father.”
Victoria froze.
Her grandfather.
The man who had founded the original family empire.
The man who had been dead for twenty years.
Sarah explained.
“He believed family reputation mattered more than individual lives.”
Victoria felt sick.
“He ordered the cover-up.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Elizabeth threatened to expose the family.”
Victoria looked at Lily.
“So the entire family knew?”
“Not everyone.”
“Who didn't?”
“You.”
Lily reached for Victoria's hand.
“You didn't know.”
Victoria nodded.
“I know.”
Sarah smiled sadly.
“Elizabeth never blamed you.”
Victoria looked at her.
“Why?”
“She said you were the only one who could still change the family.”
Victoria looked at the foundation.
At Lily.
At Noah.
She finally understood.
Elizabeth hadn't sent Lily to punish her.
She had sent Lily to save her.
The little girl who had once been accused of stealing a handbag had returned with something far more valuable.
May you like
The truth.
And the truth had forced Victoria to become someone new.
