Chapter 12 - The Other DaughterI unfolded the page so gently it barely moved.

My dear Elena, it began. If this letter reaches you, someone finally put truth ahead of appearances. Your father has made you believe that your worth depends on his approval. It never did.

The next paragraph stopped me.

I discovered that Robert has used the Shoreline accounts to hide a second household. You have a half sister named Lily. She is not responsible for his deception, any more than you are.

I read the lines again, hoping I'd misunderstood. My father had lectured me about shame while secretly supporting another family with assets he had concealed from me.

Naomi waited until I put the page down. "We don't know who sent it. We also don't know whether the rest of the letter is intact."

"Can we find Lily?"

"Carefully, and only if she wants contact. None of this is her fault."

I was grateful she'd said it before I could let anger steer me.

Ruth recognized the name. Lily Moreno, now twenty-four. Her mother, Isabel, had once worked at a Shoreline property. Grandfather found out after Robert tried to pay her off using company money.

"Daniel tried to protect both girls," Ruth said. "He wanted to make things right without exposing children to a scandal."

"And Dad used that kindness against him."

The next day, a young woman emailed Naomi. Her subject line was simple: About Robert Mercer.

I have your letter, the message read. Or what remains of it. I heard about the wedding and recognized the family name. I don't want money. I just want to know why your father told my mother that Elena knew about us and hated us.

I stared at the screen. Two daughters, each raised to believe the other had rejected her.

With Naomi's help, I sent a reply. I didn't know you existed. I'm sorry he lied to you. You owe me nothing. If you ever want to talk, I'll listen.

Lily responded within an hour.

There is something else, she wrote. Your father asked me to carry a package to the island before the wedding. I refused. He said if I told anyone, he would ruin my mother's life.

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Attached was a photograph of the package.

It was wrapped in brown paper, marked with my grandfather's compass, and addressed to the manager who tried to erase the footage.