Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The House Where My Daughter Was Hidden: The House Where My Daughter Was Hidden
“Daniel, if you want both your children alive
“Daniel, if you want both your children alive, you'll do exactly what I say.””
Vanessa's voice remained, you'll do exactly what I say.””
Vanessa's voice remained in my ear long after the call ended.
I stood beneath the warehouse's flickering light, staring in my ear long after the call ended.
I stood beneath the warehouse's flickering light, staring at my phone while rain hammered the metal roof. Somewhere outside, a truck r at my phone while rain hammered the metal roof. Somewhere outside, a truck rumbled past.
Grace had both hands pressed against her mouth, and Marcus looked as though he hadumbled past. Grace had both hands pressed against her mouth, and Marcus looked as though he had aged ten years in the space of a minute.
My children.
Not just Caleb aged ten years in the space of a minute.
My children.
Not just Caleb.
Lily, the daughter Elise had spent years searching for, was alive..
Lily, the daughter Elise had spent years searching for, was alive. She had called me Daddy, and the sound of that single word had torn through every wall She had called me Daddy, and the sound of that single word had torn through every wall I had built around my grief.
I looked at Marcus.
“Where is Vanessa's mother?””
“I told you, I I had built around my grief.
I looked at Marcus.
“Where is Vanessa's mother?””
“I told you, I don't know her current address.””
“Then start remembering.””
Marcus swallowed.
“Her name is Evelyn don't know her current address.””
“Then start remembering.””
Marcus swallowed.
“Her name is Evelyn Carter. She owns a property outside Atlanta, near Lake Lanier. She used to take Carter.
She owns a property outside Atlanta, near Lake Lanier. She used to take Vanessa there when she was a child.””
“Used to?””
“I haven't been there in years.””
I Vanessa there when she was a child.””
“Used to?””
“I haven't been there in years.””
I grabbed the folder from the table.
“Then tonight will be a good time to revisit it.””
Grace stepped grabbed the folder from the table.
“Then tonight will be a good time to revisit it.””
Grace stepped toward me.
“I'm coming.””
“No.””
“Mr. Brooks—”
“I won't put you in danger toward me.
“I'm coming.””
“No.””
“Mr. Brooks—”
“I won't put you in danger.””
She held my gaze.
“Your wife trusted my mother with.””
She held my gaze.
“Your wife trusted my mother with her children. My mother carried that secret until she died. If Lily is alive, I won't her children.
My mother carried that secret until she died. If Lily is alive, I won't stand aside while someone takes her away again.””
Her voice trembled, but she didn't look stand aside while someone takes her away again.””
Her voice trembled, but she didn't look away.
I thought of the locket beneath her uniform, the photograph she had protected for years without away.
I thought of the locket beneath her uniform, the photograph she had protected for years without understanding its importance, and the lullaby that had brought the truth into my understanding its importance, and the lullaby that had brought the truth into my home.
“All right,” I said.
“But you stay beside me.””
Marcus reached for his phone.
“I'll call the police home.
“All right,” I said.
“But you stay beside me.””
Marcus reached for his phone.
“I'll call the police.””
“Not yet.””
He stared at me.
“Daniel, this is kidnapping.””
“I.””
“Not yet.””
He stared at me.
“Daniel, this is kidnapping.””
“I know. But Vanessa knows our movements, and her mother apparently has enough influence to make records know. But Vanessa knows our movements, and her mother apparently has enough influence to make records disappear. We need to find the children before she moves them.””
“We can't go in there alone.””
“We disappear. We need to find the children before she moves them.””
“We can't go in there alone.””
“We won't.””
I called Thomas, who had been coordinating the search from my house. I won't.””
I called Thomas, who had been coordinating the search from my house. I told him about the phone call, Evelyn Carter, and the property near Lake Lanier. He immediately told him about the phone call, Evelyn Carter, and the property near Lake Lanier. He immediately contacted the police and arranged for officers to approach the area without alert contacted the police and arranged for officers to approach the area without alerting the household.
Then we left the warehouse.
The drive took nearly an hour.
Atlantaing the household.
Then we left the warehouse.
The drive took nearly an hour.
Atlanta's bright streets gave way to dark highways and winding roads bordered by thick trees. Rain blurred the headlights, and every passing minute tightened the knot in my chest.
I kept hearing Lily's voice.
*That's what's bright streets gave way to dark highways and winding roads bordered by thick trees. Rain blurred the headlights, and every passing minute tightened the knot in my chest.
I kept hearing Lily's voice.
That's what Mommy called me.
Elise had known her daughter was alive. She had held on to that hope until Mommy called me.*
Elise had known her daughter was alive. She had held on to that hope until the end, and I had spent two years believing I knew everything about the woman I loved.
I had been wrong.
Grace sat in the end, and I had spent two years believing I knew everything about the woman I loved.
I had been wrong.
Grace sat in the back seat, holding the silver locket in both hands.
“Mr. Brooks,” she said quietly, “ the back seat, holding the silver locket in both hands.
“Mr. Brooks,” she said quietly, “my mother once told me something about the lullaby.””
I looked at her inmy mother once told me something about the lullaby.””
I looked at her in the rearview mirror.
“What?””
“She said Elise changed the final verse after Lily was taken. the rearview mirror.
“What?””
“She said Elise changed the final verse after Lily was taken. She wanted both children to remember the same words, even if they grew up apart.””
I tightened my grip on the She wanted both children to remember the same words, even if they grew up apart.””
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
“Why didn't she tell Caleb the whole story?””
“Perhaps she was waiting for the right time steering wheel.
“Why didn't she tell Caleb the whole story?””
“Perhaps she was waiting for the right time.””
“Or perhaps she knew she might not have one.””
Grace looked out the window.
“My.””
“Or perhaps she knew she might not have one.””
Grace looked out the window.
“My mother always said grief makes people believe a story is finished when the truth mother always said grief makes people believe a story is finished when the truth is still happening.””
I said nothing.
The road curved around a wooded hill. Ahead, a is still happening.””
I said nothing.
The road curved around a wooded hill. Ahead, a pair of stone pillars appeared beside an iron gate.
Beyond them stood a sprawling pair of stone pillars appeared beside an iron gate.
Beyond them stood a sprawling white house with tall windows, a circular driveway, and carefully trimmed hedges. Warm lights glowed behind white house with tall windows, a circular driveway, and carefully trimmed hedges. Warm lights glowed behind the curtains. The property looked less like a prison than a country estate prepared for a private celebration.
A black the curtains. The property looked less like a prison than a country estate prepared for a private celebration.
A black SUV sat near the front steps.
Vanessa's car.
I stopped the vehicle several hundred feet SUV sat near the front steps.
Vanessa's car.
I stopped the vehicle several hundred feet from the entrance.
Thomas's voice crackled through the phone.
“Mr. Brooks, officers from the entrance.
Thomas's voice crackled through the phone.
“Mr. Brooks, officers are approaching from the north entrance. Stay where you are until they give the signal.””
I watched are approaching from the north entrance. Stay where you are until they give the signal.””
I watched the house.
A shadow moved behind an upstairs curtain.
Then a small face appeared at the house.
A shadow moved behind an upstairs curtain.
Then a small face appeared at the window.
A little girl.
Dark curls. Brown skin. Wide eyes.
She pressed the window.
A little girl.
Dark curls. Brown skin. Wide eyes.
She pressed both palms against the glass.
My breath caught.
“Lily.””
both palms against the glass.
My breath caught.
“Lily.””
She couldn't hear me, but she seemed to sense someone wasShe couldn't hear me, but she seemed to sense someone was watching. She leaned forward, searching the driveway.
Then a hand grabbed her shoulder and pulled her away from watching. She leaned forward, searching the driveway.
Then a hand grabbed her shoulder and pulled her away from the window.
The curtain snapped shut.
I opened my car door.
Grace caught my wrist the window.
The curtain snapped shut.
I opened my car door.
Grace caught my wrist.
“Please wait.””
I looked at her.
“If I wait, they could move her.””
“And.
“Please wait.””
I looked at her.
“If I wait, they could move her.””
“And if you rush in, they could move her anyway. Your if you rush in, they could move her anyway. Your daughter needs you to think clearly.””
She was right.
I hated that she was right.
I closed the door and waited daughter needs you to think clearly.””
She was right.
I hated that she was right.
I closed the door and waited, counting the seconds until Thomas's next call.
When it came, his, counting the seconds until Thomas's next call.
When it came, his voice was sharp.
“Officers have eyes on the rear entrance. There's a second vehicle in the garage. They see voice was sharp.
“Officers have eyes on the rear entrance. There's a second vehicle in the garage. They see movement inside.””
“Any sign of Caleb?””
“Not yet.””
My stomach twisted.
Then I heard a faint movement inside.””
“Any sign of Caleb?””
“Not yet.””
My stomach twisted.
Then I heard a faint melody.
At first, I thought it was coming from the car radio.
But melody.
At first, I thought it was coming from the car radio.
But the radio was off.
Grace had lowered her head and begun humming the lullaby.
the radio was off.
Grace had lowered her head and begun humming the lullaby.
The melody drifted through the quiet cabin, soft and steady.
From somewhere inside the houseThe melody drifted through the quiet cabin, soft and steady.
From somewhere inside the house, a window opened.
A child's voice called out.
“Who's singing?””
Lily.
, a window opened.
A child's voice called out.
“Who's singing?””
Lily.
Grace stopped humming.
I leaned toward the open window.
“Lily,” I calledGrace stopped humming.
I leaned toward the open window.
“Lily,” I called softly.
“It's Daniel. I'm your father.””
Silence.
Then a small voice answered.
“Mom softly.
“It's Daniel. I'm your father.””
Silence.
Then a small voice answered.
“Mommy said you'd come.””
My eyes burned.
“I'm here, sweetheart.””
A shadow moved behind the curtains.
“my said you'd come.””
My eyes burned.
“I'm here, sweetheart.””
A shadow moved behind the curtains.
“Are you going to take me away?””
“No. I'm going to take you home.””
BeforeAre you going to take me away?””
“No. I'm going to take you home.””
Before she could answer, the front door opened.
Vanessa stepped onto the porch wearing a she could answer, the front door opened.
Vanessa stepped onto the porch wearing a long black coat over her gold dress. Her hair was pulled back, and her expression was composed, almost bored.
She looked toward long black coat over her gold dress. Her hair was pulled back, and her expression was composed, almost bored.
She looked toward our car.
Then she lifted her phone.
Mine rang immediately.
I answered.
“Let her go.””
Van our car.
Then she lifted her phone.
Mine rang immediately.
I answered.
“Let her go.””
Vanessa laughed softly.
“You always did think you could solve every problem by giving anessa laughed softly.
“You always did think you could solve every problem by giving an order.””
“Where is Caleb?””
“Safe.””
“Put him on the phone.””
“No.””
“Van order.””
“Where is Caleb?””
“Safe.””
“Put him on the phone.””
“No.””
“Vanessa, if you've touched either child—”
“You'll what,essa, if you've touched either child—”
“You'll what, Daniel? Have me arrested? Ruin my reputation? Take away the life I've built?””
I looked at her Daniel? Have me arrested? Ruin my reputation? Take away the life I've built?””
I looked at her through the windshield.
“You stole a child from my wife.””
“I saved through the windshield.
“You stole a child from my wife.””
“I saved that child from a woman who couldn't protect her.””
“You lied to Elise.””
that child from a woman who couldn't protect her.””
“You lied to Elise.””
“Your wife was desperate, unstable, and willing to destroy everyone around her to get what she wanted.””
“You expect me to believe that“Your wife was desperate, unstable, and willing to destroy everyone around her to get what she wanted.””
“You expect me to believe that?””
“I expect you to understand that Lily has been my daughter for six?””
“I expect you to understand that Lily has been my daughter for six years.””
My blood ran cold.
“She isn't yours.””
Vanessa's face hardened.
“She years.””
My blood ran cold.
“She isn't yours.””
Vanessa's face hardened.
“She is the only child I've ever had.””
“Then why did you keep her from her mother?””
For is the only child I've ever had.””
“Then why did you keep her from her mother?””
For the first time, Vanessa looked genuinely wounded.
“Because my mother told me the first time, Vanessa looked genuinely wounded.
“Because my mother told me to.””
The admission hung between us.
I stared at her.
“You did all to.””
The admission hung between us.
I stared at her.
“You did all this because Evelyn told you to?””
Vanessa's eyes flickered toward the house.
“Some families have rules, this because Evelyn told you to?””
Vanessa's eyes flickered toward the house.
“Some families have rules, Daniel. You wouldn't understand.””
“Try me.””
She took a step down the porch.
“My mother built our family's reputation from nothing. She taught me that weakness invites Daniel. You wouldn't understand.””
“Try me.””
She took a step down the porch.
“My mother built our family's reputation from nothing. She taught me that weakness invites humiliation. When Elise became pregnant, she threatened everything my mother had planned for me.””
“What humiliation. When Elise became pregnant, she threatened everything my mother had planned for me.””
“What had she planned?””
“A marriage. A future. A life in which I had she planned?””
“A marriage. A future. A life in which I wouldn't have to depend on anyone.””
“And the baby?””
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
“My mother said the child would wouldn't have to depend on anyone.””
“And the baby?””
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
“My mother said the child would ruin everything.””
“So you helped her steal Lily.””
“I was twenty-six years old!””
ruin everything.””
“So you helped her steal Lily.””
“I was twenty-six years old!””
“And Elise was a mother.””
Vanessa looked away.
For a moment, I saw the frightened young woman buried“And Elise was a mother.””
Vanessa looked away.
For a moment, I saw the frightened young woman buried beneath the diamonds and expensive clothes.
Then she lifted her chin.
“Bring beneath the diamonds and expensive clothes.
Then she lifted her chin.
“Bring me the locket, Daniel.””
I glanced at Grace.
“No.””
“It's the only thing that me the locket, Daniel.””
I glanced at Grace.
“No.””
“It's the only thing that can prove the guardianship was fraudulent. Give it to me, and I'll let you leave can prove the guardianship was fraudulent. Give it to me, and I'll let you leave with one child.””
My stomach turned.
“One?””
Vanessa's expression was chilling with one child.””
My stomach turned.
“One?””
Vanessa's expression was chillingly calm.
“You can't take everything from my family and expect nothingly calm.
“You can't take everything from my family and expect nothing in return.””
“You're bargaining with children's lives.””
“I'm trying to protect what's mine.””
A sudden crash in return.””
“You're bargaining with children's lives.””
“I'm trying to protect what's mine.””
A sudden crash came from inside the house.
Lily screamed.
I was out of the car before Vanessa could react.
She came from inside the house.
Lily screamed.
I was out of the car before Vanessa could react.
She shouted something, but I was already running toward the porch.
The front door slammed shut.
shouted something, but I was already running toward the porch.
The front door slammed shut.
Behind me, Grace called my name.
Then Thomas's voice eruptedBehind me, Grace called my name.
Then Thomas's voice erupted through my phone.
“Mr. Brooks, stop! We have movement at the rear gate!””
I reached through my phone.
“Mr. Brooks, stop! We have movement at the rear gate!””
I reached the steps just as the door opened again.
An elderly Black woman stood in the doorway, dressed in a cream suit the steps just as the door opened again.
An elderly Black woman stood in the doorway, dressed in a cream suit, her silver hair arranged in a flawless twist. A heavy, her silver hair arranged in a flawless twist. A heavy gold ring with a black stone gleamed on her right hand.
Evelyn Carter.
She looked at me without surprise.
“So gold ring with a black stone gleamed on her right hand.
Evelyn Carter.
She looked at me without surprise.
“So,” she said, “Elise's husband has finally arrived.””
She stepped aside, revealing a dark hallway.
“Come in,” she said, “Elise's husband has finally arrived.””
She stepped aside, revealing a dark hallway.
“Come in, Daniel. We have much to discuss.””
From somewhere upstairs, I heard Caleb cry out.
“Daddy!””
I rushed, Daniel. We have much to discuss.””
From somewhere upstairs, I heard Caleb cry out.
“Daddy!””
I rushed forward.
Evelyn caught my arm with surprising strength.
“Not so fast.””
Her gaze moved to Grace forward.
Evelyn caught my arm with surprising strength.
“Not so fast.””
Her gaze moved to Grace, who had reached the porch behind me.
Then she noticed the silver l, who had reached the porch behind me.
Then she noticed the silver locket in Grace's hand.
For the first time, Evelyn's composure cracked.
“Where did you get that?””
Grace heldocket in Grace's hand.
For the first time, Evelyn's composure cracked.
“Where did you get that?””
Grace held it tightly.
“From my mother.””
Evelyn stared at her as if she had seen a ghost.
Then she it tightly.
“From my mother.””
Evelyn stared at her as if she had seen a ghost.
Then she whispered a name that made Grace stagger backward.
“Eleanor.””
And before I could ask how she knew Grace's mother, Evelyn smiled coldly and said, “I whispered a name that made Grace stagger backward.
“Eleanor.””
May you like
And before I could ask how she knew Grace's mother, Evelyn smiled coldly and said, “I wondered how long it would take her daughter to bring Elise's evidence back wondered how long it would take her daughter to bring Elise's evidence back to me.””
to me.””
