Chapter 8 - The Recording That Destroyed Everything

# Chapter 8 - The Recording That Destroyed Everything

"She knew you were going to kill her."

Isabella's accusation hung in the sterile hospital room.

Victoria Harrington stopped beside the bed.

For the first time in years, the wealthy woman's carefully controlled expression began to crack.

"What did you say?"

Isabella looked directly into her eyes.

"Catherine knew."

Victoria's fingers tightened around her handbag.

"You're confused, darling. The medication—"

"Stop calling me darling."

Victoria fell silent.

Isabella struggled to sit upright. Her arms were weak, and the sedatives still clouded her thoughts, but anger gave her enough strength to face the woman who had controlled her life.

"I remember the staircase," she whispered.

Victoria's face changed.

"I remember the argument. I remember Catherine crying."

"You're imagining things."

"And I remember what you said before she fell."

Victoria stepped closer.

"Be very careful."

Isabella smiled bitterly.

"That's what you always say when you're frightened."

Victoria stared at her.

Then she lowered her voice.

"Where is the recording?"

Isabella said nothing.

"Answer me."

"No."

Victoria leaned over the bed.

"You have no idea what that woman was capable of."

"Catherine raised me."

"She lied to you."

"She loved me."

Victoria laughed coldly.

"Love doesn't make someone innocent."

Isabella's eyes filled with tears.

"Neither does money."

For a moment, Victoria seemed ready to strike her.

Instead, she straightened her coat.

"You think Daniel Mercer will save you?"

Isabella watched her carefully.

"I think he's already here."

Victoria's expression froze.

Then she turned toward the door.

"Doctor!"

Dr. Evelyn Shaw stepped forward.

"Yes, Mrs. Harrington?"

"Prepare the patient for transfer."

Dr. Shaw hesitated.

"She's not medically stable enough for an unplanned transfer."

Victoria smiled.

"I wasn't asking for your opinion."

"I'm responsible for her care."

Victoria's eyes narrowed.

"You're responsible for following instructions."

Dr. Shaw remained still.

For several seconds, the two women stared at each other.

Then Victoria spoke quietly.

"People who interfere in Harrington family matters tend to regret it."

Dr. Shaw swallowed.

But she didn't move.

Isabella watched the exchange.

And for the first time in eight years, she realized that someone inside the facility might actually be willing to help her.

Two floors below, Daniel Mercer was staring at a laboratory report that claimed he was Lily's biological father.

His hands were trembling.

Edward Harrington sat behind his enormous desk, watching him with unsettling calm.

Michael Reed stood near the door.

Nobody spoke.

Finally, Daniel placed the report on the desk.

"This proves nothing."

Edward raised an eyebrow.

"The probability is rather convincing."

"The laboratory was controlled by Dr. Vale."

"An excellent physician."

"A physician who falsified birth certificates."

Edward sighed.

"Daniel, you're allowing emotion to interfere with reason."

Daniel stepped forward.

"You took biological material from me while I was hospitalized."

Edward didn't deny it.

"You arranged a reproductive procedure without Isabella's consent."

Again, Edward remained silent.

"And now you're showing me a report produced by the same people who covered it up."

Edward folded his hands.

"What would you like me to say?"

"The truth."

The older man smiled faintly.

"Truth is rarely as useful as people imagine."

Daniel felt anger rising.

"Where is Isabella?"

"Resting."

"I want to speak to her."

"She's unwell."

"Then I'll wait."

Edward's smile disappeared.

"You're not in a position to make demands."

Daniel looked toward Michael.

"Are you going to stand there and let him do this?"

Michael's expression tightened.

"Edward, let him see her."

Edward slowly turned.

"Detective Reed, I believe you've forgotten our arrangement."

Michael didn't move.

"No."

"Then perhaps you should remember what happens when people disappoint me."

Michael's injured hand curled into a fist.

Daniel noticed.

Edward leaned back.

"Your daughter Sophie is doing well, I understand."

Michael went pale.

"Leave her out of this."

"Such a promising child."

Daniel stepped between them.

"Don't threaten his daughter."

Edward smiled.

"Threaten? I was expressing concern."

Michael looked at Daniel.

And something changed in his expression.

For years, he had obeyed Edward because he feared losing Sophie.

Now Edward was threatening her anyway.

Michael slowly removed his police badge.

He placed it on the desk.

Edward frowned.

"What are you doing?"

"Something I should have done eight years ago."

Michael took out his phone.

"I've recorded this conversation."

Edward went completely still.

Daniel turned.

"Michael?"

The detective looked exhausted.

"I started recording before we entered the building."

Edward's face darkened.

"Give me that phone."

Michael shook his head.

"No."

"You have no idea what you're doing."

"I know exactly what I'm doing."

Edward stood.

"Security!"

Michael stepped toward the door.

Daniel grabbed the laboratory report.

Then the office lights went out.

In the motel room, Lily woke from a nightmare.

She sat upright, gasping.

"Mommy!"

Emma rushed to her side.

"I'm here, sweetheart."

Lily threw her arms around her.

"I dreamed Mrs. Harrington took you away again."

Emma held her tightly.

"She won't."

"Promise?"

Emma hesitated.

Then she kissed Lily's forehead.

"I'm going to do everything I can to stay with you."

Lily looked up.

"Why does everybody keep talking about who my real mommy is?"

Emma's heart tightened.

She had hoped the child hadn't understood the arguments.

But Lily had heard enough.

"Because the adults made mistakes a long time ago."

"Did you make a mistake?"

Emma looked at her.

"Yes."

"What kind?"

Emma swallowed.

"I trusted people I shouldn't have trusted."

Lily considered this.

"Like Mrs. Harrington?"

Emma nodded.

"Yes."

The child looked down at her doll.

"She said I was lucky she let me live in her house."

Emma closed her eyes.

Lily continued.

"She said children who aren't wanted should be grateful for anything they get."

Emma felt tears burning behind her eyes.

She gently lifted Lily's chin.

"Look at me."

The little girl obeyed.

"You were wanted."

"By you?"

"More than anything."

"Even if you're not my real mommy?"

Emma's voice broke.

"Being your mother is the greatest thing that ever happened to me."

Lily hugged her.

For a long moment, neither spoke.

Then the child whispered, "I don't care what those papers say."

Emma held her tighter.

But she knew the papers mattered.

Not because they could change her love for Lily.

Because they could reveal who had stolen the child's identity—and why.

A soft knock came from the connecting door.

Margaret entered.

Her expression was serious.

"Emma, Mrs. Bennett wants to speak to you."

Emma frowned.

"About what?"

"Your mother."

Emma froze.

"Which mother?"

Margaret looked at her sadly.

"That's what she wants to explain."

Mrs. Bennett sat at the small table with an old photograph in her hands.

When Emma entered, the elderly woman stood.

"Emma."

"Margaret said you wanted to talk."

Mrs. Bennett nodded.

"There's something I should have told you years ago."

Emma looked exhausted.

"Everyone keeps saying that."

"I know."

"Then tell me."

Mrs. Bennett placed the photograph on the table.

It showed two women standing outside St. Catherine's Hospital.

One was Catherine, the woman Emma remembered as her mother.

The other was younger, with dark hair and striking eyes.

Emma stared.

"Who is she?"

Mrs. Bennett hesitated.

"Her name was Rose."

"Rose who?"

"Rose Mercer."

Emma frowned.

"Mercer?"

Mrs. Bennett nodded.

"Daniel's mother."

Emma stared at her.

"Why was Daniel's mother photographed with Catherine?"

"Because they worked together."

"At the hospital?"

"Yes."

Emma examined the photograph.

Something about Rose's face seemed familiar.

Not because she had met her.

But because the woman resembled someone she knew.

"Why are you showing me this?"

Mrs. Bennett's hands trembled.

"Because Rose knew the truth about your birth."

Emma slowly looked up.

"What truth?"

The elderly woman took a deep breath.

"Catherine raised you, but she didn't give birth to you."

Emma felt her stomach drop.

"Who did?"

Mrs. Bennett looked toward the photograph.

"Rose."

Silence.

Emma stared at her.

"No."

"Emma—"

"No."

Mrs. Bennett's eyes filled with tears.

"Rose gave birth to twins."

Emma stopped breathing.

"Twins?"

Mrs. Bennett nodded.

"A boy and a girl."

Emma looked down at the photograph.

Then she whispered, "What happened to the boy?"

Mrs. Bennett couldn't meet her eyes.

"He stayed with Rose."

Emma felt the room spinning.

"And the girl?"

Mrs. Bennett began crying.

"Arthur Harrington arranged for Catherine to raise her."

Emma staggered backward.

"No."

The elderly woman reached for her.

"Emma, I'm sorry."

Emma shook her head violently.

"You're saying Daniel—"

Mrs. Bennett nodded.

"Daniel Mercer is your twin brother."

Emma gripped the edge of the table.

For several seconds, she couldn't speak.

Then she whispered, "Does he know?"

Mrs. Bennett shook her head.

"No."

Emma covered her mouth.

Daniel.

The man who had protected Lily.

The man who had spent years searching for Thomas.

The man who might be Lily's biological father.

Her brother.

The implications were horrifying.

But before Emma could speak, Mrs. Bennett grabbed her wrist.

"There's something else."

Emma stared.

"What?"

"The laboratory report Edward showed Daniel."

Emma's blood ran cold.

"How do you know about that?"

"Because Thomas told me what Edward was planning."

Emma felt anger rise.

"What did he tell you?"

Mrs. Bennett looked directly into her eyes.

"Edward wants Daniel to believe Lily is his daughter."

Emma frowned.

"Why?"

"Because if Daniel believes it, he'll do anything to protect her."

"He already would."

Mrs. Bennett nodded.

"Exactly."

Emma stared.

"Then what does Edward gain?"

The elderly woman's voice dropped.

"He gains control over Daniel."

Emma felt a chill.

"Why does he need Daniel?"

Mrs. Bennett looked toward the photograph of Rose Mercer.

"Because Daniel inherited something when his mother died."

Emma frowned.

"What?"

"A sealed trust."

"Money?"

Mrs. Bennett shook her head.

"Evidence."

Emma stared.

"Evidence of what?"

Mrs. Bennett whispered, "The murder of Arthur Harrington."

At Ashcroft Wellness Center, emergency lights illuminated the corridors.

Daniel and Michael stood near Edward's office door.

A security alarm sounded somewhere below.

Edward had disappeared through a private exit moments after the power failed.

Michael checked his phone.

"No signal."

Daniel looked toward the staircase.

"We need to find Isabella."

Michael nodded.

They moved quickly through the corridor.

At the far end, a security guard appeared.

"Stop!"

Michael raised his badge.

"Police."

The guard hesitated.

Daniel noticed a second man approaching from behind.

"Michael!"

The first guard lunged.

Michael stepped aside and struck him with his injured hand.

He cried out in pain.

Daniel tackled the second man against the wall.

The guard struggled.

Daniel managed to force him down.

"Stay there!"

Michael grabbed a keycard from the first guard.

"Third floor."

They ran toward the staircase.

Above them, a woman's scream echoed through the building.

Isabella.

Daniel took the steps two at a time.

When they reached the third floor, the corridor was empty.

A medical cart stood outside a closed room.

Daniel pushed the door open.

Dr. Shaw was lying unconscious beside the bed.

Isabella was gone.

Michael hurried toward the doctor.

"She's breathing."

Daniel looked around.

The bedsheets were tangled.

A broken IV line hung from the stand.

On the floor lay a small silver pendant.

Daniel picked it up.

Inside was a photograph of Lily.

He stared.

Then he noticed something scratched into the back.

Three numbers.

317\.

The same number engraved on Lily's key.

Michael looked up.

"Daniel."

He turned.

"What?"

Michael pointed toward the wall.

Someone had written a message in dark red lipstick.

THE THIRD CHILD WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE.

Daniel felt his pulse quicken.

Before he could speak, Dr. Shaw stirred.

Her eyes opened.

"Doctor?" Michael said.

She grabbed his arm.

"Don't let them take her."

Daniel knelt beside her.

"Who took Isabella?"

Dr. Shaw struggled to breathe.

"Victoria."

"Where?"

The doctor shook her head.

"She said they were going to the old hospital."

"St. Catherine's?"

Dr. Shaw nodded weakly.

Daniel stood.

Michael looked at him.

"We have to go."

But Dr. Shaw grabbed Daniel's sleeve.

"Wait."

He turned.

"What?"

Her eyes filled with terror.

"Isabella said something before Victoria took her."

Daniel knelt again.

"What?"

Dr. Shaw whispered, "She said Catherine's recording wasn't about Victoria killing Arthur."

Daniel froze.

"Then what was it about?"

The doctor's voice trembled.

"She said the recording proved that Arthur Harrington was still alive eight years after his funeral."

Daniel stared.

"What?"

Dr. Shaw began crying.

"And that he was the man who ordered Lily's birth."

At 4:28 a.m., Emma received a message from an unknown number.

She was still sitting beside Mrs. Bennett when her phone vibrated.

The message contained a video.

Emma pressed play.

The screen showed Isabella sitting in a dark room.

Her hands were tied.

Victoria stood behind her.

"Hello, Emma."

Emma's breath caught.

Victoria smiled.

"I understand you've been learning about your family."

Emma gripped the phone.

"Let Isabella go."

Victoria continued as though she could hear her.

"Your mother Rose was a very clever woman. Unfortunately, she made one terrible mistake."

The camera moved closer to Isabella.

Her face was bruised.

She looked directly into the lens.

"Emma, don't come."

Victoria placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Quiet."

Then she looked back at the camera.

"If you want Isabella alive, bring Lily to St. Catherine's before sunrise."

Emma felt sick.

Victoria smiled.

"And bring the original key."

The video ended.

Emma stared at the screen.

Then another message appeared.

A photograph.

It showed Daniel standing beside Edward Harrington in the facility's office.

Below it was a sentence.

Your brother has already made his choice.

Emma's hands began shaking.

She looked toward Lily, who was sleeping in the adjoining room.

Then toward Mrs. Bennett.

"What does Victoria want with the key?"

The elderly woman went pale.

"She knows?"

Emma nodded.

Mrs. Bennett covered her mouth.

"Then we're out of time."

Emma stepped closer.

"What does it open?"

Mrs. Bennett hesitated.

"Not a storage locker."

Emma stared.

"What?"

"The number 317 refers to a room beneath St. Catherine's."

Emma felt a chill.

"What room?"

Mrs. Bennett whispered, "The room where Arthur Harrington was kept after everyone believed he was dead."

Emma's heart hammered.

"He's alive?"

Mrs. Bennett nodded.

"At least he was eight years ago."

Emma stared.

"Why did they keep him there?"

The elderly woman looked toward Lily.

"Because Arthur was the only person who knew what happened to the third baby."

Emma swallowed.

"And what happened?"

Mrs. Bennett's voice broke.

"The third baby wasn't Isabella's daughter."

Emma froze.

"What?"

Mrs. Bennett began crying.

"Isabella gave birth to a child, yes. But Lily wasn't that child."

Emma felt the room tilt.

"Then who is Lily?"

Mrs. Bennett looked directly into her eyes.

"The daughter of the woman Victoria murdered."

Emma could barely breathe.

"Who?"

Mrs. Bennett whispered, "Rose Mercer."

Emma staggered backward.

"No."

The elderly woman nodded.

"Rose gave birth to another daughter eight years ago."

Emma stared.

"But Rose was Daniel's mother."

"Yes."

"And my mother."

"Yes."

Emma looked toward Lily.

The child she had raised.

The child everyone wanted.

The child whose identity had been hidden beneath layers of forged records.

Her little girl.

Her sister.

Mrs. Bennett began sobbing.

"Rose knew Victoria was going to kill her. She arranged for the baby to be hidden among the hospital births."

Emma covered her mouth.

"And Isabella's baby?"

Mrs. Bennett shook her head.

"I don't know."

Emma stared at the sleeping child.

Then her phone rang.

Victoria.

Emma answered.

"Where is Isabella?"

Victoria laughed softly.

"Still alive."

"Let her go."

"Bring Lily."

Emma's voice broke.

"She's only eight."

Victoria's tone became cold.

"Then perhaps you should hurry."

Emma looked toward Mrs. Bennett.

"Why do you want her?"

Victoria paused.

Then she said something that made Emma's blood turn to ice.

"Because Lily remembers what happened the night Rose died."

Emma shook her head.

"She was a newborn."

Victoria laughed.

"Oh, Emma."

A long silence followed.

Then Victoria whispered, "Who told you Lily was eight years old?"

The call disconnected.

Emma stared at the phone.

Behind her, Lily stood in the doorway.

She was no longer sleepy.

Her face was pale.

And in her hands, she held a photograph Emma had never seen before.

"Mommy," Lily whispered.

Emma turned.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

The little girl looked down at the photograph.

Then she said, "I remember that woman."

Emma's heart stopped.

"Which woman?"

Lily pointed toward Rose Mercer.

"The lady who used to sing to me."

Emma felt tears rising.

"Lily, when did you see her?"

The child looked confused.

"Before Mrs. Harrington made me forget."

Emma couldn't move.

"What do you mean?"

Lily's eyes filled with tears.

"She gave me medicine. She said it would make the bad dreams go away."

Emma stepped closer.

"What bad dreams?"

Lily looked at her.

Then she whispered the words that shattered everything Emma thought she knew.

"The night Mrs. Harrington pushed the lady down the stairs."