Eleanor froze when she recognized the woman in Nate’s photograph. It was Claire—Daniel’s late wife and Ellie’s mother. Nate explained that Claire had been his sister, while Meredith, the woman from Walmart, was their other sister. The diamond ring had belonged to their mother and was always intended for Claire’s first child. Then Nate revealed something even more unexpected: their wealthy father, Richard, was dying and desperately wanted to meet the granddaughter he had never known.

Eleanor feared Richard’s family might try taking Ellie away, but Meredith eventually explained the painful truth. Richard had disowned Claire for marrying Daniel because he believed Daniel wasn’t good enough for their family. Claire repeatedly tried to repair their relationship. On the night she and Daniel died, they had actually driven to Richard’s home hoping to introduce Ellie to him. Richard watched them arrive through his doorbell camera but, consumed by pride, refused to open the door. Three years later, he remained haunted by that decision. Eleanor finally visited him in the hospital and demanded to know why he had abandoned his own daughter. Click continue reading below