Chapter 9 - The Family She Never Knew
Caitlyn had never doubted that Michael and Rebecca Elmore were her parents.
They had raised her.
Loved her.
Taught her to ride a bicycle.
Stayed awake when she was sick.
Cheered at her graduation.
Whatever an adoption file said, none of that would change.
But she needed to know why Evelyn Hamilton had hidden it.
Damian arranged a meeting with the attorney who had handled the Elmore estate.
The attorney was elderly and visibly uncomfortable.
“I was instructed not to disclose certain records unless a specific condition was met,” he admitted.
“What condition?” Caitlyn asked.
“That you reached thirty years of age.”
“Why?”
“Your parents believed the danger would have passed by then.”
Caitlyn stared at him.
“What danger?”
The attorney opened a sealed envelope.
Inside was a birth certificate issued under another name.
Caitlyn Vale.
Her mother was listed as Eleanor Vale.
The father field was blank.
Caitlyn stopped breathing.
“No.”
Damian went rigid.
The attorney continued carefully.
“Eleanor gave birth to you before Damian was born. Your biological father was never legally identified. Thomas Hamilton later became involved in protecting Eleanor and arranged your adoption by the Elmores.”
Caitlyn looked at Damian.
His face had lost all color.
The implications struck them both.
They had nearly kissed outside the courthouse.
They had begun feeling something neither had dared name.
Now an adoption document suggested they might share a mother.
Caitlyn stood abruptly.
“I need air.”
Damian didn't follow immediately.
He looked at the attorney.
“Are these records verified?”
“They were certified at the time.”
“That's not what I asked.”
The attorney hesitated.
“Evelyn controlled access to the original documents.”
Damian's eyes narrowed.
“So they could have been altered.”
“Yes.”
Damian stood.
“Then we verify everything.”
Outside, Caitlyn leaned against the building.
Her hands shook.
Damian approached slowly.
“Caitlyn.”
“Don't.”
He stopped.
“I don't know what to say.”
“Neither do I.”
She wiped her eyes.
“My parents never told me.”
“They may have been protecting you.”
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
Her voice cracked.
“Everyone keeps deciding what I deserve to know.”
Damian said nothing.
She looked at him.
“I don't even know who I am anymore.”
He stepped closer, but kept his distance.
“You're Caitlyn Elmore.”
She shook her head.
“You don't understand.”
“I know you stayed awake for forty-six hours because you were terrified of losing your brother's care. I know you speak to him even when he can't answer. I know you correct mistakes nobody else notices and apologize for things that aren't your fault.”
His voice softened.
“I know you.”
Caitlyn began crying.
Damian wanted to hold her.
But he didn't.
Not until they knew the truth.
That evening, Eleanor agreed to provide a DNA sample.
So did Damian and Caitlyn.
The tests were expedited through an accredited laboratory, with independent chain-of-custody procedures.
The wait felt endless.
Meanwhile, Vincent traced Evelyn to a private airport outside Montreal.
She was preparing to board a chartered aircraft when Canadian authorities, acting on an international request, detained her for questioning.
The archive had provided investigators with evidence of financial crimes and suspected obstruction.
Mercer, meanwhile, contacted Damian's attorneys.
He agreed to surrender and testify if Noah's protection was guaranteed.
Damian refused to make private deals.
“Let the prosecutors decide,” he said.
For the first time in his life, he was willing to let the legal system do what his family's power had once prevented.
Three days later, the DNA results arrived.
Damian and Caitlyn sat across from the physician.
Neither spoke.
The physician opened the report.
“The results exclude a biological sibling relationship between you.”
Caitlyn exhaled sharply.
Damian closed his eyes.
The physician continued.
“They also exclude Eleanor Vale as Caitlyn's biological mother.”
Silence.
Caitlyn stared.
“Then the adoption file was false?”
“Based on these results, its maternal claim is false.”
Damian's expression hardened.
“Evelyn planted it.”
Caitlyn covered her face.
Relief and anger collided inside her.
The physician wasn't finished.
“However, there is another finding.”
Damian looked up.
“What?”
“The laboratory also compared Caitlyn's sample with a preserved reference sample from Michael Elmore, supplied through the estate investigation.”
Caitlyn froze.
The physician looked at her gently.
“Michael Elmore was your biological father.”
Caitlyn's eyes filled.
“And my mother?”
“The records we received don't include a verified reference sample for Rebecca.”
Caitlyn stared at the table.
Damian took her hand.
This time, she held on.
Then Vincent called.
“Boss, we've recovered Evelyn's safe.”
Damian answered.
“What was inside?”
“A photograph. An old hospital bracelet. And a letter addressed to Caitlyn.”
“From whom?”
Vincent hesitated.
“From Rebecca Elmore.”
Damian glanced at Caitlyn.
May you like
Vincent continued.
“Boss, the letter says Rebecca knew exactly who Caitlyn's biological mother was.”
