Chapter 5 - THE HIDDEN CHILD
Three days passed.
The story of the disastrous dinner party had spread through the local social circles like wildfire. Vanessa had cancelled all her upcoming charity events, claiming a sudden bout of flu, while Richard was seen entering his law office downtown early every morning without his wedding ring.
On Thursday morning, Claire received an unexpected phone call at the clinic where she worked as an intake coordinator.
"Claire Bennett?" a warm, professional female voice asked.
"Speaking."
"My name is Sarah Jenkins. I am the primary legal guardian of Lily Bennett in Evanston, Illinois."
Claire felt her heart drop into her stomach. She stepped away from the busy clinic reception desk into a private storage room.
"Ms. Jenkins," Claire breathed. "How did you get my number?"
"Your mother gave it to me," Sarah explained gently. "Evelyn called me two hours ago in tears. She told me that the secrecy surrounding Lily has ended."
Claire rested her hand against the metal shelving. "Is Lily okay?"
"Lily is a bright, wonderful six-year-old girl, Ms. Jenkins," Sarah said, her tone fiercely protective. "She is healthy, she excels at her school, and she is deeply loved in my home. But for six years, I have watched her mother visit her twice a year in secret, pretending to be an 'aunt from out of town.' It has broken my heart every single time."
"Vanessa told you she was an aunt?" Claire asked, stunned.
"To Lily, yes," Sarah confirmed with a heavy sigh. "Lily believes her biological parents died in a car crash. Vanessa forced me to sign a non-disclosure agreement six years ago in exchange for funding Lily's living and educational trust."
"That monster," Claire whispered under her breath.
"I'm calling you, Claire," Sarah continued, her voice softening, "because Evelyn told me you found the original files. She said you might go to the press or the Sterling family."
Claire took a deep breath. "I haven't gone to anyone yet, Ms. Jenkins."
"Lily doesn't need a public scandal, Claire," Sarah said firmly. "She doesn't need to read about her mother in tabloid newspapers five years from now. If this truth comes out—and I believe it should—it must be done in a way that protects this little girl."
"I agree," Claire said immediately. "I have no desire to hurt Lily. My fight is with my sister."
"Then you need to come to Chicago," Sarah said. "Vanessa is flying here tonight on a private charter. She contacted me an hour ago, demanding that I surrender Lily's custody papers so she can relocate her to a private boarding school in Europe."
Claire's blood ran cold. "Europe? She's trying to hide her even further!"
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"Yes," Sarah said grimly. "She wants to erase the paper trail completely before Richard's private investigators find us. If you want to protect this child from being shipped across the ocean, you need to be in Evanston tomorrow morning."
Claire didn't hesitate. "I'll be on the first flight."
