The Unwanted Daughter: When Love Comes Too Late Chapter 156: Doubts in the Shadows

Tracy blinked in surprise. "When did you make this?"

Ronald didn't hide the effort he had put in. "I didn't know when you'd wake up, so I kept it warm on the stove. Your stomach's not in great shape, and you've been asleep for a whole day. For now, you can only handle some grits. Tomorrow, I'll make you something better to build your strength back up."

At first, Tracy hadn't felt hungry; she'd gone longer without food before.

But the moment he said it, her stomach tightened, and suddenly she realized how hungry she was.

She took a spoonful of the hot grits, and the warmth spread from her chest down into her stomach.

While she ate, Ronald told her what had happened during the day and night she'd been asleep.

The police had found evidence, and the kidnappers finally confessed. They admitted it was just them—no one had ordered them to do it.

Their original plan was to kidnap the Jackmans' heiress. They grabbed Tracy first, but when they realized she wasn't worth any ransom, they turned their attention to Erin instead.

When they were caught, they tried to pin the blame first on Chris, then on Tracy, just to escape punishment.

This story was far more believable than their earlier excuses. After all, everyone knew how much the Jackmans valued Erin. When Tracy was kidnapped, the family hadn't paid a single cent.

Once the case was officially closed, everyone seemed relieved and pleased.

The Jackmans' partnership with the Woodwards could continue, and the family wouldn't have to carry the shame of raising a criminal. To everyone else, it was the perfect ending.

To make up for Erin's ruined birthday party, the Jackmans even doubled her gifts and started planning to throw her another party.

It seemed like everyone had forgotten Tracy—the one who'd been falsely accused and locked up for days, who still hadn't come home.

Everyone except Liam.

It wasn't that he remembered Tracy's birthday or the apology he owed her. What nagged at him was the police report—it didn't sit right.

He had been the one who first dug into the case, and aside from the police, he knew the details best.

While tracing the kidnappers, he had sensed someone else helping them from the shadows. Now, with this confession, none of it made sense.

And after they were caught—when they tried to frame Chris and then Tracy—That only made him believe that the truth hadn't come out.

He wanted to voice his doubt, but when he lifted his head, he saw Erin smiling happily, surrounded by her family.

Strangely, it reminded him of Tracy at the party.

Erin's birthday had been full of music and laughter, but Tracy had stood alone in the corner, looking like she didn't belong at all. The air around her wasn't festive—it was heavy with loneliness.

But that wasn't how Liam remembered her.

In his memory, even when Tracy was alone, she carried a quiet calm around her, not isolation.

"Liam, what are you thinking about? Erin's been calling you for a while." Daphne held Erin's arm, her eyes full of reproach as she looked at him. Erin stood on the side and looked hurt.

Snapped out of his thoughts, Liam saw everyone staring at him. He hesitated, then said slowly, "I just think ... maybe there's more to the kidnapping than what we've been told. I can't shake the feeling there was someone behind the kidnappers who hasn't been revealed. Maybe it wasn't about money at all. Maybe it was a scheme aimed at our family or even at Erin."

Erin nearly dropped her act, but she forced herself to hold on to her hurt expression.

Inside, she seethed. Is he crazy?

Everything's already settled, and now he wants to stir things up again?

Digging her nails into her hand to keep control, she let her eyes fill with tears.

"Liam, are you saying this is my fault? Do you think I arranged the kidnappers myself?"

Her tears made Liam panic. He tried to explain, "No, that's not what I meant—"

But Daphne cut him off, her voice sharp. "Liam, how could you say that to your sister? That's way out of line!"

Benjamin's face darkened. "Boy, are you asking for trouble? Maybe you need a good beating to remember your place."

Andrew said nothing, but behind his gold-rimmed glasses his glare burned with rage.

Liam stood frozen, confused.

That wasn't what he meant. Why were they twisting his words?

Erin pressed against Daphne, her tears threatening to spill as she looked at him with wounded eyes.

"Liam, what's happened to you? Why do you always take Tracy's side and doubt me? I was a victim too. I've never done something as awful as planning a kidnapping. If anything—"

Her voice cracked as she sobbed. "If anything, it's Tracy ... Why do you always point at me?"

As she spoke, Erin could no longer hold them back—her tears finally fell.

Her crying tore at Andrew's heart.

He couldn't hold back his anger anymore. He glared at Liam. "You've really lost your mind. How dare you even think Erin would do such a thing? She's too kind and pure for that. If anyone in this family would stoop so low, it's Tracy. Don't forget—years ago, she was the one who hired someone to kidnap Miranda."