Chapter 7 - THE LETTER MY MOTHER LEFT BEHINDMy mother had been dead for twelve years.

She couldn't explain anything.

At least, that's what I believed.

Mark looked at me.

“Your mother knew everything.”

My father shook his head.

“Don't.”

“Why not?” Mark asked.

“Because you promised.”

Mark laughed.

“I promised nothing.”

I felt dizzy.

“What did my mother know?”

Dad didn't answer.

So I turned to Mark.

“You tell me.”

He nodded toward the cabinet beneath the stairs.

“There's another compartment.”

My father closed his eyes.

I went downstairs.

The police watched me.

The cabinet door was still open.

I searched the back panel.

Nothing.

Then I noticed a small metal latch.

I pressed it.

A hidden drawer opened.

Inside was a sealed envelope.

My mother's handwriting was on it.

FOR SARAH, WHEN THE TRUTH CAN NO LONGER HURT HER.

My hands shook.

I opened it.

The letter began:

Sarah,

If you're reading this, then Emma is old enough to understand why we did what we did.

I need you to know one thing.

I never wanted any of this.

I read every line.

My mother had discovered Voss Biomedical years earlier.

She had worked there as a financial auditor.

She discovered money being moved through shell companies.

Research funds.

Political contributions.

Hospital payments.

Patient settlements.

And one project that had no public record.

Project Aurora.

It involved pregnant women.

Their unborn children were screened for rare genetic traits.

Emma's father had been one of the selected men.

Michael.

My mother discovered the project three months before Emma was conceived.

She tried to expose it.

Daniel threatened her.

Then she became ill.

She died six months later.

The final page was only three paragraphs.

Your father made a terrible choice.

He believed silence would protect you.

But silence always collects interest.

And one day, Sarah, the people who bought your silence will come to collect.

I lowered the letter.

My father was crying.

“You knew.”

“Yes.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“I was ashamed.”

“You let me marry Mark.”

“I thought he would protect you.”

“He hurt me.”

“I know.”

I turned away.

Then I noticed another line written beneath the signature.

The only person I trusted completely was Michael.

I looked at the man standing across the room.

He couldn't meet my eyes.

“You loved him.”

My father shook his head.

“Your mother trusted him.”

Michael whispered:

“She saved me.”

“How?”

“She gave me copies of the research.”

“Where are they?”

He looked at Daniel.

Daniel was silent.

Then Mark spoke.

“I know.”

Everyone turned.

Mark pulled a small key from his cuffed hand.

“The documents are in a storage unit.”

“Where?”

“Under the name Sarah Hayes.”

My blood froze.

“My name?”

“You were never supposed to know.”

“What's in there?”

Mark looked at Emma.

“Proof.”

“Proof of what?”

“That Project Aurora never ended.”

I stared.

“What do you mean?”

Mark stepped closer.

“Because they're still testing children.”

My stomach dropped.

“Children?”

“Thousands.”

Michael interrupted.

“Not anymore.”

Mark smiled.

“You haven't heard the worst part.”

“What?”

He looked toward Emma.

“She wasn't the only child they selected.”

Emma stared at him.

“Then who else?”

Mark lowered his voice.

“Your other daughter.”

Silence.

I couldn't breathe.

“I have one child.”

Mark shook his head.

“No.”

My father whispered:

“Sarah…”

Mark continued.

“You had twins.”

My mind went blank.

“What?”

Emma looked at me.

“Mommy?”

I couldn't answer.

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Mark said the final words.

“They took the other baby.”