Chapter 14 - THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST
Lauren brought the photograph to Rebecca's office.
I refused to meet her anywhere else.
She arrived wearing jeans and a plain gray sweater.
No expensive jewelry.
No dramatic makeup.
For the first time, she looked like the younger sister I remembered from childhood.
But memory could not erase what she'd done.
She sat across from me.
Then placed her phone on the table.
The photograph showed my mother standing beside Victoria Hayes.
They were outside a building with a glass entrance.
The image was dated six years earlier.
I stared at it.
"Where was this taken?"
Lauren shook her head.
"I don't know."
Rebecca leaned forward.
"How did you obtain it?"
"Ryan left an old tablet in his office."
She hesitated.
"I opened the photo gallery."
Rebecca's expression became serious.
"We need to be careful about how any information was accessed."
Lauren nodded.
"I know."
I barely heard them.
My attention remained fixed on the photograph.
Six years ago, Victoria had apparently known my mother.
Six years ago, I was still happily married.
Lauren hadn't admitted to any relationship with Ryan then.
And our fifth child hadn't even been conceived.
"What does this mean?"
Lauren looked at me.
"I think Mom knew Victoria before Ryan did."
My stomach tightened.
"Why?"
"Because I recognized the building."
She enlarged the image.
A small sign was visible near the doorway.
PARKER FAMILY SERVICES.
My father's old consulting business.
I felt cold.
"What was Victoria doing there?"
Lauren shook her head.
"I don't know."
Rebecca studied the image.
"Your family had a business relationship with her?"
"Apparently."
My thoughts raced.
The disputed report.
The old childhood file.
My mother's secret.
Victoria.
Ryan.
Every path seemed to lead toward the same small group of people.
I looked at Lauren.
"Did Ryan ever mention my childhood records?"
She hesitated.
"Once."
My pulse quickened.
"What did he say?"
"He said your parents had lied to you about something important."
I stared at her.
"What?"
"He wouldn't tell me."
"Why?"
Lauren swallowed.
"He said he needed to keep it private until the divorce."
Rebecca leaned forward.
"What exactly did he say?"
Lauren looked down.
"He said the truth would change who Annie thought she was."
I felt suddenly dizzy.
For years, I had believed that the worst secret in my life was my husband's affair.
Now I wasn't certain I even understood the family history I'd grown up with.
I looked at my attorney.
"What do we do?"
She folded her hands.
"We verify the documents."
I nodded.
"And?"
"We protect you and the children."
I looked at Lauren.
"Did you know about this before the wedding?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"Did Mom?"
Lauren hesitated.
"I think so."
I closed my eyes.
Then she added, "Annie, Ryan wasn't just planning to marry me."
I looked up.
"What?"
"He was planning something after the divorce."
"What?"
She reached into her bag.
And removed a photocopy of a business document.
Rebecca examined it.
Her expression changed.
"Where did you get this?"
"Ryan's office."
"What is it?" I asked.
Rebecca turned toward me.
"It appears to be a draft proposal involving a family trust."
I stared at her.
"What family trust?"
May you like
She looked at me carefully.
"The Parker family trust."
