Chapter 6 - Rebecca’s Confession
Rebecca did not run.
She came to mansion because she had decided secrecy had become more dangerous than truth.
She admitted participating in unauthorized embryo transfers.
But she had not initiated them alone.
Julia did.
After cancer diagnosis, Julia became terrified she would die without leaving Ethan family.
She asked Elizabeth to carry embryo B.
Bellweather physician Dr. Samuel Keene approved transfer using altered consent documentation.
Ethan’s signature was copied from storage authorization.
Forgery.
Embryo C was more complicated.
Julia did not authorize transfer C.
Rebecca insisted.
She believed embryo C remained frozen.
Then lab audit months later showed it transferred to unidentified carrier under authorization code belonging to Dr. Keene.
So third child Nora resulted from unauthorized transfer neither Ethan nor Julia approved.
Who was carrier?
Rebecca discovered later:
Melissa Grant.
A Bellweather nurse.
She had agreed privately to gestational pregnancy after Dr. Keene claimed Ethan and Julia had approved.
Melissa believed legitimate.
She gave birth to Nora.
Then learned paperwork false.
She threatened expose.
Dr. Keene resigned.
Bellweather quietly settled.
No murder.
No disappearance.
Melissa later became seriously ill? Avoid. She is alive.
Where is she?
Rebecca had been helping her.
Why did Nora live with Rebecca?
Melissa entered long-term overseas nursing assignment? That sounds voluntary but odd. Better Melissa had custody, but Nora spent recent weeks with Rebecca while legal disclosure arranged. She remains mother figure though genetic parent Ethan/Julia.
Important distinction:
Gestational carrier does not automatically mean no parental role depending law. Don't make legal claims. In story, Melissa raised Nora with legal guardianship under court-sealed arrangement after clinic dispute.
Then why were Ethan and Julia never contacted?
Bellweather attorneys concealed genetic parentage to avoid scandal, falsely recording embryo C as destroyed.
That is major conspiracy.
Rebecca participated initially in document alteration?
She copied Ethan signature? She admits she processed forms knowing signature came from another authorization.
She told herself Julia had consent for B.
For C she did not know until after.
When she learned, she panicked.
Instead of whistleblowing immediately, she collected evidence.
Then Julia died.
Rebecca feared Ethan would lose Lily while authorities investigated.
So she hid.
Wrong.
Then why identical dresses?
Rebecca arranged today intentionally.
She wanted Ethan to see physical truth before Claire could minimize.
Claire expected only Mia.
Rebecca brought Nora too.
But kitchen Lily happened already wearing black-and-white dress for reception? Claire had chosen dress. Rebecca deliberately matched other girls based on photo from Claire? This is manipulative. She admits.
“I wanted him unable to look away.”
Ethan was furious.
“You used three toddlers to stage a revelation.”
“Yes.”
Again adults using children as evidence.
Pattern.
Then why scars?
Bellweather performed same nonessential skin screening on all three as part of covert follow-up program.
Was it harmful? Minor biopsy but consent issues.
Records concealed.
Then Ethan asked Rebecca:
“Why did Claire hurt Lily?”
Rebecca looked at sister.
“I can't answer that.”
Claire finally did.
Lily had found K-1 key.
Claire panicked.
She ordered Lily to clean spill while searching.
When Lily reached toward key, Claire stepped on her hand to stop her.
“Why?”
“I thought she would take it.”
Ethan stared.
“She’s three.”
Claire cried.
“I know.”
No childhood excuse makes okay.
Then Claire admitted she'd become obsessed with controlling reveal because she feared losing Ethan.
She did something abusive.
Direct accountability.
Then Dana asked:
“Why attack Ethan with glass?”
Claire said:
“I thought he was taking key.”
Again absurd panic.
She swung glass.
No excuse.
Then Ethan said:
“You weren't protecting children. You were protecting your version.”
Claire collapsed emotionally.
Then Rebecca handed Dana a sealed envelope.
“There's still one thing Claire doesn't know.”
Inside:
Julia Carter’s handwriting.
TO ETHAN — IF ALL THREE GIRLS ARE EVER IN THE SAME ROOM.
May you like
Ethan’s hands began shaking.
Julia had somehow known there could be three.
