CHAPTER 2: THE SECRET RICHARD MORGAN TOOK TO HIS GRAVE
The stranger introduced herself as Emily Carter.
Thirty-two years old.
A schoolteacher.
And according to her, Richard Morgan's daughter.
Rebecca refused to believe it.
"You're lying."
Emily shook her head.
"I wish I were."
Margaret sank back into her chair.
Her hands trembled visibly.
Rebecca noticed.
And suddenly she realized something.
Her mother wasn't surprised.
She was afraid.
Emily carefully removed more items from the box.
Letters.
Birth records.
Photographs.
Medical documents.
Each one connected back to Richard Morgan.
The evidence seemed impossible to deny.
Years earlier, before marrying Margaret, Richard had fallen in love with another woman named Susan Carter.
When Susan became pregnant, Richard promised to support them.
Then everything changed.
Richard's wealthy parents discovered the relationship.
According to Emily, they threatened to cut him off financially if he stayed with Susan.
Within months Richard ended the relationship.
Soon afterward he married Margaret.
Rebecca looked at her mother.
"Did you know?"
Margaret burst into tears.
The room remained silent.
Finally she nodded.
"Not at first."
Rebecca's heart shattered.
"But later?"
Margaret lowered her eyes.
"Later, yes."
Gasps filled the room.
Emily looked away.
She had waited her entire life for answers.
Yet hearing the truth still hurt.
Margaret confessed that she learned about Susan and Emily years into her marriage.
Richard had begged her not to leave.
He promised the relationship was over.
Promised he would provide financial support secretly.
Promised Emily would never know.
And for decades, everyone kept the secret.
Everyone except Emily.
Because she never even knew who her father was.
Until six months earlier.
May you like
When her dying mother finally told her the truth.
to be continued chapter 3
