Chapter 6 - THE SECRET REBECCA TOOK TO HER GRAVE
The mystery of Rebecca's decision remained.
Why had she never told Adrian about the pregnancy?
Why had Eleanor Vale known?
And why had Margaret kept silent for so many years?
The answer came from a box of letters stored in Margaret's old house.
Claire found it while helping organize her mother's belongings.
Inside were photographs.
Birthday cards.
And a sealed envelope addressed to Adrian.
The handwriting belonged to Eleanor Vale.
Claire called Adrian.
He arrived an hour later.
Together, they opened the letter.
My son,
There is something I should have told you years ago.
Rebecca came to me after your separation.
She was pregnant.
She was frightened.
She said your father had threatened to take the baby if she tried to raise it herself.
Adrian froze.
His father.
Edward Vale.
A powerful industrialist who had died twenty years earlier.
The letter continued.
Rebecca believed the only way to protect her daughter was to place her with a family your father could not control.
I tried to help her.
But I was afraid.
I failed both of you.
Adrian's hands began trembling.
Claire watched him.
He read the final paragraph.
If the truth ever reaches you, please remember that love is not the same as possession.
Your mother.
Adrian lowered the letter.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Then he whispered, “He knew.”
Claire looked at him.
“My father knew I had a daughter.”
His voice broke.
“And he let me believe I was alone.”
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Claire reached for his hand.
For the first time, Adrian Vale cried in front of someone who wasn't family.
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