Chapter 12 - The Second BeneficiaryBen's words followed me all night.
Another beneficiary.
Christopher refused to answer immediately.
We returned to his office.
Claire sat across from us.
Daniel stood by the window.
My mother remained silent.
Finally I asked:
“Who is the second beneficiary?”
Christopher opened a file.
“The document is sealed.”
“By whom?”
“Evelyn.”
“Can we open it?”
“Yes.”
He slid a sealed envelope across the desk.
My grandmother's signature crossed the flap.
I opened it.
Inside was a birth certificate.
My heart stopped.
The name on it wasn't mine.
It belonged to a woman.
SOPHIA MILLER.
“Who is she?”
Daniel looked at Claire.
Claire looked at my mother.
My mother whispered:
“She was your grandmother's first grandchild.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“She had a daughter before your aunt Claire.”
“Why didn't I know?”
“Because she was adopted.”
“Where is she?”
Nobody answered.
Christopher finally said:
“She's been living in Austin for eighteen years.”
“Doing what?”
“Working as a nurse.”
I looked at the birth certificate.
“Why would Grandma hide her?”
Claire spoke softly.
“Because Sophia was the only person your grandmother believed Ben could never manipulate.”
“Where is she now?”
Christopher gave me an address.
I drove there immediately.
Sophia opened the door.
She was younger than I expected.
Thirty-something.
Brown hair.
Tired eyes.
She stared at me.
“Ryan?”
“How do you know me?”
“Grandma told me about you.”
“Did you know who I was?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you contact us?”
She smiled sadly.
“Because I wasn't allowed.”
“By Grandma?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because she was trying to protect me.”
“From what?”
Sophia looked behind me.
“From your father.”
I turned.
Daniel was standing across the street.
He raised his hand.
Sophia's face changed.
“No.”
“What?”
She stepped back.
“He found me.”
Daniel approached.
“I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
Sophia's eyes filled with tears.
“You promised she'd never know.”
Daniel looked at me.
“I was trying to keep you all safe.”
Sophia shook her head.
“Then tell him the truth.”
“What truth?”
Sophia looked directly at me.
“I’m not just your cousin.”
May you like
She took a breath.
“I'm your sister.”
