CHAPTER 5 — The Woman Who Stole Ten Years
Daniel stormed toward Vanessa's mother, Victoria Ashford, clutching Emily's letter so tightly the paper nearly tore.
"You forged every silence," he growled. "Every letter... every phone call... every chance I had to know my daughter."
Victoria didn't flinch.
Instead, she smiled.
"I protected your future."
Daniel stared at her in disbelief.
"You were a nobody when we found you," she continued calmly. "Emily was poor, pregnant, and inconvenient. My daughter deserved a husband without baggage."
Vanessa stepped backward.
"Mom... tell me she's lying."
Victoria looked at her daughter without remorse.
"I built this family. Sacrifices had to be made."
Daniel's fists clenched.
"You destroyed two lives."
"No," Victoria replied coldly. "I created yours."
Before anyone could speak again, a young doctor rushed into the hallway.
"Mr. Whitmore!"
Daniel spun around.
"We've stabilized Lily... but her condition is critical."
"Tell me what she needs."
The doctor's expression turned grim.
"She needs a rare bone marrow donor."
Daniel didn't hesitate.
"Test me."
The doctor nodded.
"We already did."
A heavy silence filled the hallway.
"You are a perfect match."
Daniel nearly collapsed with relief.
For the first time since Lily appeared at the airport, hope replaced despair.
But then the doctor quietly added—
"There's one problem."
"Someone altered Lily's medical records months ago."
"The delays weren't accidental."
"They were intentional."
May you like
Daniel slowly turned toward Victoria.
She was no longer smiling.
