CHAPTER 8 — “The Little Girl No One Was Looking For”
Hours later, Richard underwent emergency surgery.
Doctors confirmed he would survive.
Nathan, Emily, and Oliver sat quietly in the hospital waiting room, trying to process everything.
But Nathan couldn't forget Victor's final words.
Oliver isn't the only heir.
When Richard finally regained consciousness, Nathan stood beside his bed.
"Dad."
Richard slowly opened his eyes.
"I know why you're here."
Nathan's voice was steady.
"Tell me the truth."
Richard looked toward Emily.
She nodded silently.
He took a long breath.
"Seven years ago... Emily didn't give birth to one child."
Nathan's heart skipped.
"What?"
Richard closed his eyes.
"She gave birth to twins."
Emily burst into tears.
Nathan stepped backward in disbelief.
"No..."
Richard continued.
"When Victor's people came for Emily at the hospital, we only managed to save one baby."
Nathan looked at Oliver.
Then back at Richard.
"The other baby..."
Richard's voice broke.
"...was taken."
Emily sobbed uncontrollably.
"I searched every single day."
"I never stopped."
Nathan felt as though the room was spinning.
"My son has... a twin?"
Richard nodded.
"A daughter."
Oliver looked up innocently.
"I have a sister?"
Emily hugged him tightly.
"Yes, sweetheart."
Before anyone could speak again, a nurse hurried into the room.
"Mr. Carter..."
"We just received something for your family."
She handed Nathan a small white envelope.
No sender.
No address.
Inside was a recent photograph.
A little girl about five years old stood in front of a seaside lighthouse, smiling at the camera.
Around her neck hung a necklace identical to Oliver's silver airplane charm.
On the back of the photograph, only six handwritten words appeared:
"Find her before we do."
Nathan's hands began to shake.
Richard stared at the photo with horror.
Emily whispered through her tears,
"She's alive..."
Then Nathan noticed something else in the corner of the photograph.
Far behind the smiling little girl...
A tall man wearing a black coat was watching her.
His face was hidden.
But on his right hand...
He wore Victor Hale's unmistakable family ring.
Nathan looked at the picture one last time and made a silent promise.
"No matter where she is..."
May you like
"I'm bringing my daughter home."
To be continued...
