CHAPTER 8 — The Child Everyone Thought Was Dead
Michael opened the leather folder.
Inside were photographs, adoption records, and hospital reports that had been hidden for years.
"I lied," he admitted.
"When I said I couldn't save both girls... it wasn't the whole truth."
Emma stared at him.
"What do you mean?"
"The night of the surgery, both babies were born alive."
The room fell silent.
"I took Hope and hid her before Daniel's men could reach her."
Emma held Hope tighter, trembling.
"And Grace?"
Michael lowered his eyes.
"Someone else got to her first."
He pulled out a faded security photo.
A woman wearing a black coat was carrying a newborn out of the hospital through a locked service exit.
Her face was partially hidden.
But one detail stood out.
A diamond bracelet engraved with the initials...
E.C.
Emma gasped.
She recognized it instantly.
It belonged to Elizabeth Carter—
Daniel's wealthy mother.
The same woman who had always claimed she hated children because they "ruined powerful families."
Dr. Brooks whispered in disbelief.
"She didn't want the baby dead..."
"She wanted the baby hidden."
Just then, Emma's phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
She answered with shaking hands.
A little girl's voice came through the speaker.
"Mom..."
"I think Grandma is taking me somewhere far away."
The line went dead.
Emma's blood ran cold.
Grace wasn't dead.
She had been alive all these years.
And now...
May you like
Someone was trying to make her disappear again.
To be continued...
