THE SECRET FROM THIRTY YEARS AGO
Miller pulled out the original blueprints of the mansion.
“Thirty years ago, this room was a master suite.”
Marcus stared at the plans.
“Whose?”
Miller looked directly at him.
“Your father had it sealed after your son was born.”
Marcus felt a coldness spread through his chest.
Thirty years ago.
He remembered.
He had been twenty years old.
He had been in love with a nursing student named Evelyn.
Then she became pregnant.
His father, Arthur Vance, had been furious.
He told Marcus that an illegitimate child would destroy the family’s reputation and threaten an upcoming business deal.
Then Arthur sent Marcus overseas.
Six months later, Marcus returned.
His father handed him a death certificate.
The baby had supposedly been born prematurely.
The baby had died.
Marcus had been devastated.
He believed his father had arranged the burial.
He never questioned it.
Until now.
Miller lowered his voice.
“There’s something else.”
Marcus looked at him.
“We ran a background check on Clara.”
Marcus frowned.
“Why?”
“Because of the envelope.”
Miller turned his tablet around.
“We ran her DNA through the state’s missing-person database.”
Marcus stared at the screen.
Then his face went pale.
“What am I looking at?”
Miller answered quietly.
“An identity match.”
Marcus’s heart stopped.
“Whose?”
Miller looked him straight in the eyes.
“Clara’s.”
