“A copy of Noah’s birth certificate listing Andrew as the father, and a forensic accounting report I hired a private investigator to pull on Vanessa’s art gallery,” Maria revealed. “The gallery is a shell company, Mr. Daniel. It’s being used to launder money—millions of dollars that originally belonged to your family’s firm before Andrew vanished.”
I stood up slowly from the chair. My chest felt hollow, but my mind was clearer than it had been in years.
“Where is Noah right now?” I asked firmly.
“He’s with my sister, Rosa, in East Los Angeles,” Maria said, her voice tight with panic. “Mr. Daniel, please… if Vanessa knows about Noah, she knows he is the direct blood heir to Andrew’s portion of the family trust. She will do whatever it takes to protect her scheme.”
“She won’t touch him,” I said, setting my jaw. “Stay here. The hospital has security, but I will hire private guards to stand outside your door tonight.”
Me di la vuelta y salí de la habitación del hospital, regresando al largo y luminoso pasillo. Mientras caminaba de vuelta hacia el vestíbulo principal, apretaba los puños a los costados. Todo lo que había construido, todo lo que creía sobre mi familia y la mujer con la que planeaba pasar el resto de mi vida, todo se basaba en una red de engaños mortales.
Que te guste
Cuando llegué a la sala de espera, la silla de vinilo donde Vanessa había estado sentada estaba vacía. Su taza de té de papel permanecía fría sobre la mesita auxiliar.
Ella se había ido.
