CHAPTER 2: THE HOSPITAL
The call came three days later.
It was my father.
"Charlotte, your grandmother has been admitted to the hospital. She fell."
"What happened?"
"She's confused. Disoriented. The doctors think it might be dementia."
"Dementia? She was fine three days ago."
"These things progress quickly, Charlotte. I suggest you come see her."
I drove to the hospital.
My grandmother was in a private room. She looked small and frail, surrounded by machines and monitors.
"Grandmother," I said. "What happened?"
She grabbed my hand.
"It wasn't an accident, Charlotte. They pushed me."
"Who pushed you?"
"Diana. She told me to stay away from you. She said if I said anything, she'd make sure I never saw the light of day again."
"Grandmother, that's—"
"They're trying to silence me, Charlotte. They know I have the evidence."
"Evidence of what?"
"The truth. About your father. About the money. About everything."
I squeezed her hand.
"Don't worry, Grandmother. I won't let them hurt you."
"Promise me."
"I promise."
I left the hospital with a new determination.
My stepmother had tried to silence my grandmother.
She had pushed her. Hurt her. Tried to make her disappear.
And I was going to make sure she paid for it.
I called the one person I knew I could trust.
Marcus Webb. My grandfather's old attorney.
"Marcus, it's Charlotte."
"Charlotte, I've been expecting your call. Your grandmother told me you'd be in touch."
"I need to know everything. About my father. About the inheritance. About my grandmother."
"I can't talk about this over the phone. Can you come to my office?"
"I'll be there in an hour."
I hung up.
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The truth was finally going to come out.
And I was going to be ready for it.
