“Daniel, wait.”
Caroline followed him into the hallway.
“You need to hear me before you go.”
Daniel turned around.
“Then talk.”
Caroline wiped her eyes.
“The woman in that photograph is named Rebecca.”
“Who is Rebecca?”
Caroline took a breath.
“She used to work for your father.”
Daniel frowned.
“My father's company had hundreds of employees.”
“She was more than an employee.”
“How?”
Caroline looked at him.
“She was his personal assistant.”
Daniel stared at her.
“My father died fifteen years ago.”
“I know.”
“Then why have you been paying her bills for three years?”
Caroline looked down.
“Because your father asked me to.”
Daniel stopped breathing for a moment.
“My father asked you?”
“Before he died.”
“That makes no sense.”
“He knew he was sick.”
“My father never told me he was sick.”
“Because he didn't want you to know.”
Daniel shook his head.
“What did Rebecca have to do with him?”
Caroline hesitated.
“They had a child.”
Daniel's face went completely blank.
“What?”
“A daughter.”
Daniel stepped backward.
“You're saying my father had another child?”
Caroline nodded.
“Yes.”
“And you knew?”
“I found out after we got married.”
“Why didn't my father tell me?”
“Because Rebecca was afraid of what would happen to her daughter.”
Daniel's voice became sharper.
“What would happen?”
Caroline looked toward Ava.
“Your grandfather's estate was complicated.”
“That doesn't answer my question.”
“Rebecca believed your father would leave everything to you.”
Daniel frowned.
“He did.”
“Not everything.”
Daniel's expression changed.
“What are you talking about?”
“There was a private trust.”
Daniel stared at her.
“For the girl?”
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
Caroline looked away.
“She's the woman in the hospital.”
Daniel's eyes widened.
“Rebecca is his daughter?”
“No.”
Caroline shook her head.
“Rebecca is her mother.”
Daniel looked at the photograph again.
“Then where is the daughter?”
Caroline didn't answer.
Daniel's voice became quiet.
“Caroline.”
She finally whispered.
“You know her.”
Daniel froze.
“I know her?”
“Yes.”
“Who is she?”
Caroline's eyes filled with tears.
“You've met her many times.”
Daniel stared at his wife.
“Stop speaking in riddles.”
Caroline reached into a cabinet and removed a small envelope.
She handed it to him.
“Your father left this for you.”
Daniel opened it.
Inside was an old photograph.
It showed his father standing beside Rebecca.
In Rebecca's arms was a baby girl.
Daniel turned the photograph over.
There was a handwritten note.
“Her name is Emily. Protect her when I am gone.”
Daniel stared at the name.
“Emily.”
He suddenly remembered.
A young woman named Emily had worked at his company for several years.
She had always been quiet.
She had recently disappeared after a serious illness.
Daniel looked at Caroline.
“Emily is Rebecca's daughter.”
Caroline nodded.
“And your half-sister.”
Daniel couldn't speak.
Ava slowly stepped beside him.
“Daddy?”
He looked down.
“Yes?”
“Is she the lady you said was missing?”
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.”
“Then we have to help her.”
Daniel hugged his daughter.
“We do.”
Caroline reached for his arm.
“Daniel, there's something else.”
He looked at her.
“What now?”
“Your father didn't leave Emily the trust because he wanted to give her money.”
“Then why?”
Caroline's voice shook.
“Because he knew someone would try to take it from her.”
Daniel looked toward the front door.
“Who?”
Caroline whispered one name.
“Your uncle.”
At that exact moment, a car pulled into the driveway.
Daniel looked through the window.
His uncle was getting out.
And he was not alone.
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