Chapter 6 - The Sister Nobody Knew
Laura Mercer was forty-six.
Senior accounting manager.
Quiet.
Respected.
Dad knew her.
He had promoted her twice.
When investigators approached, she denied knowing Patricia.
DNA proved otherwise.
Then emails proved they had been communicating for twelve years.
Laura broke.
She claimed Patricia contacted her after decades apart.
Told her she regretted the adoption.
Told her she wanted a relationship.
Then slowly asked for favors.
Information.
Internal procedures.
Authorization templates.
Eventually, Laura helped move the $3.2 million.
“Why?” Dad asked her.
Laura cried.
“Because she called me her daughter.”
The room went silent.
Patricia had used the same currency with everyone.
Belonging.
Ryan wanted approval.
Laura wanted a mother.
I wanted a marriage.
She converted emotional hunger into financial access.
Laura cooperated.
The stolen money was traced.
Most remained recoverable.
More importantly, investigators discovered Patricia had targeted Bennett Development before Ryan ever met me.
Ryan's marriage accelerated the plan.
It didn't create it.
Dad looked devastated.
“I brought danger into your life.”
“No.”
“Ava—”
“No.”
I took his hand.
“Patricia did.”
For months, Dad had refused to let me blame myself.
Now it was my turn.
“Don't take responsibility for someone else's choices.”
He smiled sadly.
“Wonder where you learned that.”
May you like
“You.”
That was the first moment I realized we were healing together.
