Chapter 6: The Person My Father Feared Most
The name was written in my father’s handwriting.
I recognized it instantly.
Lucille.
I stared at the paper.
My mind refused to accept what my eyes were seeing.
Lucille Tate.
The woman who gave me food.
The woman who cleaned my wounds.
The woman who told me I was safe.
Emily noticed my expression.
“Matthew?””
I folded the paper quickly.
“Nothing.””
She looked unconvinced.
“You don’t have to protect me.””
The words surprised me.
Because they sounded exactly like something my father would say.
I looked at her.
“Did Dad trust Lucille?””
Emily’s face changed.
“I don’t know.””
That answer bothered me.
“Why?””
“Because I never met her.””
“But Dad knew her?””
Emily nodded.
“Everyone connected to Veronica knew something.””
The way she said Veronica’s name made my skin crawl.
Not with fear.
With anger.
For years, that woman had controlled every part of my life.
My home.
My family.
My memories.
And now I was learning she had been hiding entire people from me.
Gabriel arrived an hour later.
When he saw Emily, he froze.
Not because he didn’t expect her.
Because seeing her made twelve years disappear.
He walked forward slowly.
“Emily.””
She stared at him.
“You’re older.””
Gabriel laughed softly.
“So are you.””
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Emily hugged him.
And Gabriel broke.
I had never seen a grown man cry like that.
Not even at my father’s funeral.
After they separated, Gabriel looked at the paper in my hand.
“What happened?””
I hesitated.
Then I gave it to him.
His expression changed instantly.
“Where did you get this?””
“Inside the box Emily gave me.””
Gabriel read the name.
Lucille.
Then he looked toward the house.
“No.””
I swallowed.
“You know something.””
He didn’t answer.
“Gabriel.””
He folded the paper.
“Your father was investigating everyone around Veronica.””
“Everyone?””
“Yes.””
“Why would he investigate Lucille?””
Gabriel looked uncomfortable.
“Because Lucille wasn’t just a teacher.””
“What was she?””
Before he could answer, a car pulled into the driveway.
A black sedan.
My stomach tightened.
Gabriel immediately moved in front of me.
“Stay behind me.””
The driver’s door opened.
A man stepped out.
Older.
Wearing a suit.
He held an envelope.
“I’m looking for Matthew Banks.””
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed.
“Who are you?””
The man looked at me.
“My name is Richard Cole.””
The name meant nothing.
Until Gabriel whispered:
“Veronica’s attorney.””
Richard walked closer.
“I’m here because Mrs. Banks wants to resolve this peacefully.””
I almost laughed.
Peacefully?
After leaving me on a dirt road?
“Where is she?””
Richard ignored me.
“She wants Matthew returned to her care.””
Gabriel stepped forward.
“He’s not going anywhere.””
Richard smiled.
“I assumed you would say that.””
He handed Gabriel the envelope.
Inside was a document.
Gabriel read it.
His face hardened.
“What is this?””
Richard looked at me.
“A temporary custody request.””
My stomach dropped.
“I’m ten years old.””
Richard shrugged.
“Legally, Mrs. Banks is still your guardian.””
Gabriel looked furious.
“She abandoned him.””
“That is your accusation.””
Richard adjusted his jacket.
“Not a proven fact.””
I felt sick.
The same woman who left me on a road was now trying to take me back.
“Why?””
Richard looked at me.
“Because she cares about you.””
The lie was so obvious it almost hurt.
Gabriel stepped closer.
“Leave.””
Richard smiled.
“One more thing.””
He looked at me.
“Your father left behind more enemies than you realize.””
Then he walked away.
That night, nobody slept.
Gabriel searched through old records.
Emily sat beside me.
Lucille stayed in the kitchen.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
Finally, I asked:
“Lucille.””
She looked up.
“Yes?””
“Did you know my father?””
The room changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
She placed her cup down.
“I knew of him.””
“Did he know you?””
A pause.
“Yes.””
My heart started beating faster.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Her eyes filled with sadness.
“Because your father asked me not to.””
The answer shocked me.
“Why?””
Lucille looked toward the hallway.
Then she whispered:
“Because he knew Veronica would come after anyone who helped you.””
Nobody spoke.
Then Gabriel walked into the room holding a file.
His face was pale.
“Matthew.””
I looked at him.
“What?””
He placed the file on the table.
“I found out why your father trusted Lucille.””
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
My father.
Lucille.
And a little boy.
A boy I didn’t recognize.
Until I saw the name underneath.
Matthew Banks.
My own name.
The photo was dated two years before I was born.
I stared at it.
“That’s impossible.””
Gabriel looked at me.
“No.””
His voice was barely above a whisper.
“It means the truth about your family started before you were even born.””
And behind the photograph was a letter.
A letter from my father.
Addressed to Lucille.
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With one sentence written on the front:
*If Veronica finds out what we did, Matthew will never be safe.*
