Chapter 6 - THE GIRL WHO HELD THE KEYThe police arrested Richard.
Victoria surrendered.
Daniel was released.
For the first time in years, Grace thought the nightmare was ending.
But Nathan couldn't forget Richard's final words.
The person who inherits it.
They returned to the guesthouse.
Lily was asleep.
Grace sat beside her.
Nathan watched from the doorway.
“She looks peaceful.”
Grace smiled faintly.
“She deserves peace.”
Nathan walked over.
He sat beside her.
“I owe you an apology.”
Grace shook her head.
“You didn't know.”
“I should have believed you.”
“You loved me.”
“I never stopped.”
Grace looked at him.
Neither spoke.
Then Nathan gently took her hand.
“I lost five years.”
Grace whispered,
“So did I.”
Nathan squeezed her fingers.
“Maybe we can stop losing time.”
Grace smiled through tears.
Then Daniel entered.
“We have a problem.”
Nathan stood.
“What?”
“The trust.”
Nathan frowned.
“Richard?”
“No.”
Daniel handed him a document.
“The trust was changed six months ago.”
Grace looked confused.
“Changed by whom?”
Daniel pointed to the signature.
Grace's name.
Nathan's face darkened.
“I told you she didn't sign this.”
Daniel nodded.
“I believe you.”
“Then who did?”
Daniel looked at Lily.
“She did.”
Nathan stared.
“That's impossible.”
“Not literally.”
Daniel explained that the trust required the legal guardian to submit biometric verification.
Someone had used Lily's old medical records to create a digital identity.
Nathan's eyes narrowed.
“Who has access to those?”
“Several people.”
“Hospital?”
“Yes.”
“Insurance company?”
“Yes.”
“Anyone in the family?”
Daniel nodded.
“Victoria.”
Nathan's jaw tightened.
They confronted Victoria in custody.
She looked exhausted.
“I didn't do it.”
Nathan stared at her.
“You expect me to believe you?”
“I don't care what you believe.”
Victoria looked at Grace.
“I made mistakes.”
Grace said nothing.
Victoria continued.
“Richard forced me to help him. But I never touched the trust.”
“Who did?”
Victoria hesitated.
Then whispered,
“Your aunt.”
Nathan froze.
“My aunt died.”
Victoria shook her head.
“Your father's sister is alive.”
Nathan stared.
“That’s impossible.”
“She changed her name.”
Daniel looked stunned.
“Why?”
Victoria looked toward the window.
“Because your father betrayed her.”
Nathan frowned.
“My father?”
“She believed she deserved half the company.”
“What happened?”
Victoria answered,
“Your father refused.”
Nathan felt a headache coming.
“Where is she?”
Victoria smiled sadly.
“You already know her.”
Nathan froze.
“No.”
“Yes.”
Victoria leaned forward.
“She has been living in your life for years.”
Nathan felt his blood run cold.
“Who?”
Victoria whispered,
“Your mother's closest friend.”
Grace's eyes widened.
Nathan remembered.
A woman named Evelyn.
She had helped raise him after his mother died.
She visited every holiday.
She had been kind to Lily.
She had comforted Nathan after Grace disappeared.
She had even encouraged him to marry Victoria.
Nathan whispered,
“Evelyn.”
Victoria nodded.
“She is the real heir.”
Daniel shook his head.
“That makes no sense.”
Victoria smiled.
“That's what she wants you to think.”
Nathan rushed home.
Evelyn was there.
She stood in the living room holding Lily's favorite blanket.
“Hello, Nathan.”
He stared at her.
“You knew.”
Evelyn's smile faded.
“Knew what?”
“About the trust.”
Silence.
Then Evelyn sighed.
“I wondered when you'd figure it out.”
Nathan's heart sank.
“You betrayed my father.”
“He betrayed me first.”
“You worked with Richard.”
“He was useful.”
Grace stepped forward.
“Why Lily?”
Evelyn looked at the child.
“Because she inherited everything.”
Nathan moved protectively in front of Lily.
“You're not touching her.”
Evelyn laughed.
“You still don't understand.”
She pulled out a document.
“Your father created the trust with one condition.”
Nathan took it.
His face changed.
“What?”
Evelyn smiled.
“The trust cannot be accessed until Lily turns eighteen.”
Nathan stared.
“That gives us fourteen years.”
“Yes.”
“And if Lily dies?”
Evelyn's smile disappeared.
“Then the trust passes to the next blood relative.”
Nathan realized the truth.
“That would be me.”
Evelyn nodded.
“And after you…”
She looked at Grace.
“If you marry him, the money becomes accessible through your family.”
Grace understood.
“This was never about the money.”
Evelyn smiled.
“It was always about control.”
Then the front door opened.
Police entered.
Evelyn raised her hands.
But before they could arrest her, she whispered to Nathan,
“You should ask Grace why she never told you who Lily's biological father was.”
Nathan froze.
Grace's face went white.
May you like
Evelyn smiled.
“Good luck.”
