Chapter 3 - The Fiancée Who Recognized My Mother
Vanessa Cross was the kind of woman who never entered a room without making sure everyone noticed her.
She was thirty, elegant, wealthy, and always dressed in designer clothing. Her blonde hair fell perfectly over her shoulders, and her diamond engagement ring glittered whenever she moved her hands.
She had been Adrian's fiancée for two years.
Yet the moment she saw me holding Lily, her smile disappeared.
“Why is the housekeeper in here?”
Adrian ignored the question.
“Where did you get that photograph?”
Vanessa looked down at the picture.
Then she smiled.
“From your father's study. I thought you might appreciate it.”
I recognized the photograph immediately.
It was my mother standing outside a hospital, holding a newborn baby.
My baby photograph.
My stomach twisted.
“That's my mother.”
Vanessa looked at me sharply.
“Your mother?”
Adrian extended his hand.
“Give it to me.”
She handed him the photograph, but her expression had changed.
“Adrian, perhaps we should discuss this privately.”
“No. Speak.”
Vanessa glanced at Marco before lowering her voice.
“Elizabeth Miller worked for your family. She was involved in something terrible before Isabella died.”
“What?”
“She stole something.”
Adrian's expression became dangerous.
“What did she steal?”
Vanessa paused.
“Money. Jewelry. I don't know the details.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
“My mother was a nurse. She worked two jobs to raise me. She never stole anything.”
Vanessa turned toward me.
“People like your mother were very good at hiding things.”
Adrian's fingers tightened around the photograph.
“Enough.”
But Vanessa wasn't finished.
She stepped closer to his wheelchair.
“Darling, you're finally recovering. Don't let a stranger manipulate you with an old bracelet and a sentimental story.”
Adrian looked at her.
“You knew Isabella?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Of course.”
“Then tell me something. What was the name of her childhood dog?”
Vanessa blinked.
“What?”
“You said you knew her. What was the dog's name?”
“I don't remember.”
“Funny. Isabella never owned a dog.”
Vanessa's face went white.
Adrian leaned forward.
“Get out.”
“Adrian—”
“NOW.”
She stormed out, slamming the door.
But the real shock came ten minutes later.
Marco returned with a sealed envelope from the family archive.
Inside was a handwritten letter addressed to Isabella.
The handwriting was unmistakably my mother's.
Bella, I cannot keep lying to Adrian. Your daughter deserves to know the truth. I promised you I would protect her, but someone has discovered where she is. If anything happens to me, tell Adrian to look beneath the chapel floor.
I covered my mouth.
My mother had never mentioned a chapel.
Adrian read the letter twice.
Then he looked at me.
“Your mother was protecting you.”
“From whom?”
He didn't answer.
Instead, he asked Marco to contact the family lawyer.
That was when the housekeeper, Mrs. Donovan, entered carrying a tray.
Her hands were shaking.
“Mr. Romano, I'm sorry to interrupt.”
Adrian turned.
“What?”
She looked directly at me.
“Miss Miller, I knew your mother.”
I froze.
“You did?”
Mrs. Donovan nodded.
“She worked here before the fire. And she didn't leave voluntarily.”
Adrian's face darkened.
“What are you saying?”
The elderly woman placed the tray down.
Then she whispered:
“Elizabeth was pregnant when she disappeared. And the last person she accused of threatening Isabella was your father.”
Adrian went completely still.
His father, Victor Romano, had died three years earlier.
But before anyone could speak, a gunshot exploded somewhere downstairs.
Marco drew his weapon.
“Boss!”
The lights went out.
May you like
And from the darkness, someone shouted:
“THE GIRL! GET THE GIRL!”
