Sophie Found an Old Photograph and a Note That Said “Tomorrow” — Then Daniel Asked Vanessa Who the Man Was
Chapter 6 — Noah Reed
Noah had been raised by a woman named Helen Reed.
She told him he was adopted privately as an infant.
He never questioned it.
Helen loved him.
He loved her.
But after Helen died, Noah found a locked metal box among her belongings.
Inside were documents bearing different names.
Nathan Mercer.
Caroline Mercer.
And Adrian Blake.
There was also a letter from Helen.
Adrian gave Vanessa a copy.
Helen wrote:
I was asked to protect you for one week. Then everybody disappeared, and I became afraid that returning you would put you back into the same danger.
Helen admitted she made a terrible legal decision.
She moved.
Changed Nathan’s name.
Later arranged an adoption through incomplete and misleading paperwork.
“She kidnapped him too?” Vanessa asked.
Adrian shook his head.
“She thought she was protecting him.”
“That doesn’t make it legal.”
“No.”
Adrian did not excuse it.
Then he showed Vanessa something else.
A copy of a letter Caroline wrote only days after Nathan disappeared.
It was addressed to Adrian.
I told them you took him because Eric said he would hurt both of you if I admitted the truth. I am sorry. Please keep Nathan away from him.
Vanessa stared at it.
“Where has this been?”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“In your mother’s belongings.”
Vanessa froze.
“My mother had this?”
Adrian nodded.
“She knew Caroline lied.”
Vanessa stepped back.
“No.”
“Your mother found the letter after Caroline died.”
“Then why didn’t she clear your name?”
Adrian looked directly at her.
“That’s what I’ve spent twenty years trying to understand.”
