Chapter 4: The Secret Beneath the Hospital
The message stayed on my screen.
Three sentences.
That was all it took to reopen wounds I had spent years trying to close.
You think Harrison is the villain?
He was only following orders.
Ask your grandfather what happened the night your mother died.
My fingers tightened around the phone.
Theodore noticed.
He always noticed.
“What is it?”
I didn't answer immediately.
Because I already knew.
He would lie.
Or worse…
he would tell me a truth that hurt more.
Finally, I turned the phone toward him.
His face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
Recognition.
Fear.
“You know who sent this.”
It wasn't a question.
My grandfather looked away.
“Caroline…”
“No.”
My voice sharpened.
“Not again.”
He sighed.
“I was trying to protect you.”
I almost laughed.
“Everyone says that.”
Theodore sat down slowly.
For the first time, the most powerful man in the city looked tired.
“Your mother’s death was not an accident.”
The room went silent.
I had spent fifteen years hearing the same story.
A rainy highway.
A lost control.
A terrible night.
My mother was gone.
That was the truth.
But apparently…
it wasn't the whole truth.
“What happened?”
My grandfather stared at the floor.
“Your mother discovered something.”
“About what?”
“About the company.”
I felt my stomach tighten.
The same sentence.
The same shadow.
“What kind of company secret is worth killing someone?”
He looked at me.
“The kind that involves powerful people.”
My grandfather walked to the window.
The city lights reflected in the glass.
“Years ago, before you were born, Astor Industries partnered with several investors.”
“Who?”
He hesitated.
“Families with influence.”
“Names.”
Silence.
Then:
“Vance.”
My blood went cold.
“Harrison’s family?”
He nodded.
“No.”
I stepped back.
“That’s impossible.”
“It’s not.”
Theodore continued.
“His father and I built parts of the company together.”
I remembered Harrison telling me his family was ordinary.
Hardworking.
Self-made.
A lie.
Another lie.
“Then why did he pretend?”
“Because he knew your identity.”
The words hit harder than expected.
“What?”
My grandfather looked at me.
“Harrison did not meet you by accident.”
The room spun.
“No.”
“He approached you.”
My voice dropped.
“Stop.”
But he continued.
“He knew you were Caroline Astor.”
The memories started replaying.
The first time Harrison saw me.
The coffee shop.
The spilled drink.
The apology.
The smile.
I thought it was fate.
Maybe it was strategy.
“Why?”
I whispered.
My grandfather’s answer destroyed me.
“To get close to you.”
I covered my mouth.
No.
Every kiss.
Every promise.
Every “I love you.”
Was it all fake?
Then I remembered the twins.
The pain became anger.
“He used me.”
“Yes.”
“And you knew?”
“I suspected.”
The same answer.
The same failure.
I turned away.
“You let me build a family with him.”
My grandfather said nothing.
Because there was nothing to say.
A nurse suddenly entered.
“Mrs. Astor?”
I looked over.
“Yes?”
She hesitated.
“There’s someone here asking to see you.”
“Who?”
The nurse looked uncomfortable.
“Your husband’s father.”
The room froze.
“Harrison’s father?”
She nodded.
“Mr. Vance.”
My grandfather immediately stood.
“No.”
The nurse stepped back.
“He said he has information about the twins.”
My heart stopped.
“What information?”
She shook her head.
“He wouldn't say.”
Minutes later, an older man entered.
Richard Vance.
He looked nothing like Harrison.
Older.
Colder.
His eyes carried years of secrets.
He looked at the incubators first.
Then at me.
“So.”
He said.
“You finally learned.”
My hands curled.
“Learned what?”
He smiled sadly.
“That your husband was never the monster.”
I stared.
“Don't defend him.”
“I’m not.”
He stepped closer.
“I’m telling you something worse.”
My grandfather moved between us.
“Leave.”
Richard ignored him.
“Caroline.”
I looked at him.
“Your grandfather told you Harrison married you for your inheritance.”
A pause.
“He did.”
My chest tightened.
“But he didn't tell you why.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
Richard looked at Theodore.
Then back at me.
“Because your grandfather was afraid you would discover the truth.”
My voice shook.
“What truth?”
Richard whispered:
“Your twins.”
The room went completely still.
I looked at the incubators.
At my daughters.
“What about them?”
Richard’s face became serious.
“They were never supposed to survive.”
The words froze my blood.
“What?”
He lowered his voice.
“Someone paid a doctor to make sure your pregnancy failed.”
My legs weakened.
Theodore caught my arm.
“No.”
Richard looked at him.
“You know it's true.”
I looked between them.
Both men knew.
Both men were hiding something.
And then Richard said the sentence that changed everything.
“The person who ordered it…”
May you like
A pause.
“Was someone inside this hospital.”
