A SECRET IN HER EYES

Chapter Three

Daniel Bennett barely slept that night.

The anonymous message kept replaying in his mind.

Ask your mother what happened six years ago.

He wanted to dismiss it as a cruel attempt to confuse him, but something about the warning unsettled him.

Victoria Bennett had always controlled every aspect of his life. She had opinions about his friends, his business decisions, and even the women he dated.

When he fell in love with Maya Collins, his mother had made her disapproval clear.

“You come from different worlds, Daniel,” she had once told him. “Love doesn’t change that.”

He had ignored her then.

Now, for the first time, he wondered whether she had done more than simply disapprove.

His phone rang.

It was his assistant.

“Sir, the specialist has confirmed an appointment for Lia tomorrow morning.”

“Good. Make sure everything is arranged.”

“And the paternity test?”

“Arrange that too. I want the process started immediately.”

After ending the call, Daniel stared at Maya’s name on his screen.

He had spent six years trying to forget her. Yet one day had been enough to bring every buried feeling rushing back.

He remembered her laughter, the way she used to look at him, and the promises they had made.

Then he remembered the message that had ended everything.

If Maya had received a similar message, who had sent them?

And why?

⸻

The following morning, Maya arrived at the hospital with Lia.

She had barely slept either. Daniel’s unexpected kindness confused her more than his anger had.

She had expected him to reject her completely. Instead, he had arranged treatment for Lia and insisted on a paternity test.

Perhaps he wanted proof before allowing himself to believe her.

She couldn’t blame him.

A nurse approached them.

“Mrs. Collins? The specialist is ready to see Lia.”

Maya followed her into the examination room.

After examining Lia and reviewing her medical records, the specialist explained the next steps in her treatment.

Maya listened carefully, asking questions whenever she didn’t understand something.

Daniel arrived before the consultation ended.

“Is everything all right?” he asked.

The doctor explained the treatment plan and assured them that further evaluation would help determine the best course of action.

Daniel agreed to cover the necessary expenses.

Maya turned toward him.

“I don’t know how to thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” he replied. “Lia’s health comes first.”

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment, Maya saw the man she had once loved.

Then Daniel looked away, and the moment disappeared.

⸻

Later, while Lia rested, Daniel found Maya sitting alone outside the hospital room.

“Can we talk?” he asked.

She nodded cautiously.

“I need you to tell me everything about the day you left.”

Maya’s fingers tightened around her handbag.

“I already told you about the message.”

“I want to know what happened afterward.”

She hesitated before speaking.

“I called you repeatedly. You never answered. I went to your house, but someone told me you didn’t want to see me.”

“Who?”

“I don’t remember her name. She said she was working for your family.”

Daniel frowned.

“Did you keep the message?”

Maya shook her head.

“I deleted it eventually. Reading it every day was destroying me.”

“Why didn’t you try harder to find me?”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“I was pregnant, Daniel. I was terrified, and I believed the man I loved wanted nothing to do with me.”

He fell silent.

Maya wiped her cheek.

“You think I abandoned you because I stopped loving you. But I left because I thought you had already abandoned me.”

For a moment, Daniel couldn’t speak.

He wanted to tell her that he had searched for her, that her disappearance had left him furious and heartbroken. But he remembered how little he truly knew about what had happened.

Perhaps they had both been victims.

Before he could respond, Maya stood.

“I need to check on Lia.”

She walked away, leaving Daniel alone with his questions.

⸻

That evening, Daniel arrived at his family home.

Victoria was waiting in the dining room.

“You’re late,” she said.

“I had something important to attend to.”

She studied him. “You look troubled.”

“Do you remember Maya Collins?”

The fork in Victoria’s hand stopped moving.

Only for a second, but Daniel noticed.

“Why are you asking about that girl?”

“That girl has a name, Mother.”

Victoria placed her fork down.

“After all these years, why bring her up?”

“Because she’s back.”

The colour drained slightly from Victoria’s face before she quickly recovered.

“Back? What does she want?”

Daniel watched her carefully.

“She has a daughter.”

Victoria stared at him.

“A daughter?”

“Five years old.”

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Victoria shook her head.

“Daniel, don’t allow that woman to manipulate you. You don’t know what she’s capable of.”

“Why are you so afraid of her?”

“I’m not afraid of anyone.”

“Then why do you sound worried?”

Victoria rose from her chair.

“Because I know women like her. She probably saw an opportunity to secure your money.”

Daniel’s expression hardened.

“You haven’t even met her daughter.”

“I don’t need to.”

He stood.

“I’m arranging a paternity test.”

Victoria’s face tightened.

“You cannot be serious.”

“Why shouldn’t I be?”

She looked away.

“Because some doors are better left closed.”

Daniel stared at her.

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing. You’re tired, and you’re letting the past cloud your judgment.”

She walked out before he could question her further.

Daniel remained in the dining room, remembering the warning on his phone.

Ask your mother what happened six years ago.

For the first time, he believed the sender might know something real.

And his mother might know more than she was willing to admit.