There were missing pages.
Unexplained payments.
And one doctor's signature that Adrian did not recognize.
He called his lawyer.
"I want a complete investigation."
"Are you certain, sir?"
"Someone concealed information about my wife's death. I want to know why."
Meanwhile, Lily was beginning to feel uneasy.
The more she learned about Catherine, the more familiar the woman seemed.
The lullaby.
The photograph.
And now the strange feeling that their lives might somehow be connected.
One afternoon, while organizing the nursery, Lily noticed an old photo album on a shelf.
She opened it carefully.
The first pages contained photographs of Adrian and Catherine during their engagement.
Then came pictures from their wedding.
And finally, a photograph of Catherine standing beside an older woman.
Lily stopped breathing.
The woman was her mother.
She knew that face anywhere.
Her mother's name was Margaret Bennett.
Lily turned the photograph over.
There was a handwritten message.
To Margaret, my dearest friend. Thank you for standing beside me when nobody else did. One day, our daughters may understand what we could not tell them. With love, Catherine.
Lily's hands began shaking.
Her mother had never mentioned being friends with Catherine.
She quickly took out her phone and called the number of her mother's old neighbor.
"Mrs. Collins? It's Lily."
"Oh, sweetheart! How are you?"
"I need to ask you something. Did my mother ever know a woman named Catherine Sterling?"
There was a long silence.
Then the older woman sighed.
"I wondered when you would find out."
Lily felt her stomach tighten.
"Find out what?"
"Your mother and Catherine were very close. They met years ago, before Catherine married Adrian."
"Why didn't my mother tell me?"
"Because they had a disagreement. A terrible one."
"What kind of disagreement?"
"I don't know all the details. But I remember your mother crying after Catherine visited her."
Lily closed her eyes.
"Did they ever reconcile?"
"Your mother received a letter shortly before she died. She never told me what it said."
"Where is the letter?"
"I think she kept it in an old wooden box."
After ending the call, Lily immediately went through her belongings.
She still had the wooden box that had belonged to her mother.
It was stored beneath her bed in her small apartment.
That evening, she asked Sarah for permission to leave early.
She returned home and opened the box.
Inside were old photographs, birthday cards, and several letters.
At the bottom was a sealed envelope.
Her name was written on it.
For Lily, when she is ready to know the truth.
Her hands trembled as she opened it.
The letter was short.
My dearest Lily,
There are things I should have told you long ago. Before you were born, I was friends with a young woman named Catherine. We shared a secret that was meant to protect someone we both loved.
I made a promise that I would never reveal it unless the truth became necessary.
If you are reading this, perhaps the time has finally come.
Look for the photograph of the two women. Remember that love can create families in ways blood alone cannot explain.
Forgive me for keeping silent.
Mother.
Lily read the letter several times.
What secret?
Who had her mother been protecting?
And why had Catherine written that their daughters might one day understand?
The following morning, Lily returned to the mansion carrying the photograph.
She found Adrian in his study.
"Mr. Sterling, I think we need to talk."
He looked up.
"Of course. What's wrong?"
Lily placed the photograph on his desk.
Adrian stared at it.
"Where did you find this?"
"In the old family album."
He picked it up.
"That's Catherine and..."
He stopped.
His eyes widened.
"Who is this woman?"
"My mother."
Adrian looked at Lily.
"Your mother?"
Lily nodded.
"Her name was Margaret Bennett."
Adrian stood up slowly.
He looked from the photograph to Lily's face.
Then he whispered something that made her blood run cold.
"That's impossible."
"Why?"
Adrian reached into his desk and pulled out another photograph.
It showed Catherine standing with Margaret.
But there was a third person in the background.
A little girl.
Adrian pointed toward her.
"That's my wife."
Lily frowned.
"Yes. I know."
"No, Lily."
He looked directly at her.
"That photograph was taken when Catherine was seven years old."
Lily stared at him.
"What does that mean?"
Adrian's voice trembled.
"It means your mother knew my wife long before either of us was born."
Victoria had always believed that Adrian Sterling would eventually marry her.
Their families had known each other for years. They moved in the same social circles, attended the same charity events, and shared business connections.
Victoria had never hidden her feelings.
But Adrian had chosen Catherine.
And now, after Catherine's death, Victoria believed she finally had another opportunity.
There was only one obstacle.
Lily Bennett.
Victoria had watched the young caregiver become increasingly important to Emily.
She had also noticed the way Adrian looked at her.
It was a look he hadn't given another woman since Catherine died.
Victoria refused to allow that to happen.
She met Eleanor Sterling at a private restaurant.
"You're letting this go too far," Victoria said.
Eleanor sipped her tea.
"I agree."
"Then why is she still living in your house?"
"Adrian refuses to listen to me."
Victoria leaned closer.
"Then perhaps we should stop trying to convince him."
Eleanor looked at her.
"What are you suggesting?"
"Make him believe Lily is dangerous."
Eleanor remained silent.
Victoria smiled.
"Everyone has something to hide. We simply need to discover hers."
Meanwhile, Lily was struggling to understand the connection between her mother and Catherine.
Adrian had contacted an elderly family lawyer who had known Catherine since childhood.