She Threw the Baby in Front of Everyone—Then Her Son Exposed Her Darkest Secret

Robert Ashbourne's funeral had been closed-casket.

Daniel remembered the rain, Celeste's black gloves, and his father's refusal to speak during the drive home.

Now Torres placed a passport photo on the table.

Robert was older, heavier, his hair gray at the temples.

But he was alive.

"He lives under the name Robert Ames," Torres said. "He owns a medical logistics company that supplies St. Matthew's."

Rachel stared at the photograph. "Why fake his death?"

Nora answered from her hospital bed. "Because he stole from Ashbourne Holdings. William found out. Celeste helped Robert disappear instead of letting him go to prison."

Daniel felt the family history rearranging itself into something uglier.

"And now he helps her?"

"He helps whoever pays him."

Torres discovered Robert had supplied the sedative used on Lily. He had also arranged the fake maintenance window that erased the nursery camera footage.

"We can arrest him," Rachel said.

"We need to find him first," Torres replied.

Daniel drove home under police escort.

Ashbourne House looked different in daylight. Reporters packed the gates. News helicopters hovered beyond the trees.

Celeste's arrest had already gone public.

Rachel stopped in the foyer.

The marble stairs had been cleaned.

One pearl still sat beneath the radiator.

She picked it up.

"I want to leave this place."

"We will."

"Today."