Chapter 51: The Third Child
For several long seconds, nobody moved.
The birth certificate lay on the desk like a live grenade.
Father: Richard Hart.
The words seemed impossible.
Amelia stared at the document.
Then at Margaret.
Then at Victor.
No one looked prepared for this.
"No…"
Victor's voice was barely a whisper.
Margaret looked equally stunned.
"I never knew."
Rachel frowned.
"Then who did?"
Silence.
The answer came from the journal in her hands.
"Richard."
The room turned toward her.
Rachel lifted the open page.
"Nathan wrote another note."
She cleared her throat and read aloud.
"Richard hid the boy from everyone."
Silence.
"Even from Margaret."
Another silence.
"He said the child would destroy everything if anyone discovered the truth."
The room remained s
