Chapter 4 - The Avery Estate
Maya did not care about money.
That became important later.
At the time, she cared about one thing.
Emma.
She contacted Thomas Avery’s estate attorney only because she wanted confirmation.
The attorney, Samuel Ross, went silent when Maya said Luke Bennett’s name.
“Can you come to Boston?”
“Why?”
“I would rather discuss this in person.”
Maya almost refused.
Then Samuel added:
“Mr. Avery left instructions involving a son whose identity was never publicly confirmed.”
Maya booked the flight.
Samuel’s office overlooked the harbor.
He placed a locked file on the table.
“Thomas Avery knew Luke existed.”
Maya stared.
“How?”
“Eleanor contacted him privately when Luke was nine.”
The same year she ordered the DNA test.
Thomas wanted involvement.
Eleanor refused.
She believed Rocky would retaliate if he learned the truth.
So Thomas stayed away.
But he did something else.
He created a trust.
If Luke ever independently established biological paternity, Luke would inherit.
If Luke died before making that claim, his biological children could establish it instead.
Maya went still.
“Emma?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
Samuel hesitated.
“Approximately forty-two million dollars in assets.”
Maya stared at him.
“No.”
“I understand—”
“No. I mean I don’t want this to become about money.”
Samuel nodded slowly.
“Thomas wrote something similar.”
He opened the file.
Thomas had included a personal statement.
If my son ever comes to me, I want him to know I stayed away because his mother asked me to. Not because I didn’t want him.
Maya’s eyes filled.
Luke had died never knowing.
That hurt more than the number.
Samuel continued.
“There is another issue.”
“What?”
“Someone contacted us nine months ago asking whether Luke Bennett had any surviving children.”
Maya’s stomach tightened.
“Who?”
“The inquiry came through a private investigator.”
“Working for?”
Samuel turned the page.
Rocky Bennett.
Maya stopped breathing.
Rocky knew.
Maybe not everything.
But enough.
“He knew about Thomas?”
“He knew Thomas might be connected.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
Samuel looked grave.
“Because if Emma establishes Thomas as Luke’s biological father, she becomes Thomas Avery’s only direct descendant.”
Maya understood.
Rocky’s obsession with proving Emma wasn’t “his” granddaughter suddenly had a second purpose.
If Emma wasn’t Luke’s daughter—
she could not inherit from Thomas.
And if she could not inherit—
Rocky could bury the truth forever.
Maya thought of the dog bowl.
The insults.
The coldness.
This wasn’t merely wounded pride.
Rocky had been trying to push Emma out before anyone connected her to Avery.
Samuel leaned forward.
“There’s one more problem.”
“What?”
“Thomas’s trust contains a confidentiality provision.”
Maya frowned.
“And?”
“If someone knowingly concealed or destroyed evidence of Luke’s parentage, the trustees are required to refer the matter for legal review.”
Maya’s blood went cold.
“You think Rocky destroyed something.”
May you like
Samuel answered carefully.
“I think Thomas believed someone might.”
