Chapter 3 - THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE GOLDEN HOUSE
Adrian had faced armed rivals without blinking.
But the knowledge that his daughter had been living nearby while he mourned her death left him unable to speak.
He stood at the window, watching the rain slide down the glass.
"Where does Grace live?"
Vanessa wiped her cheeks.
"At my father's estate in Connecticut."
"You're taking me there."
"I can't."
Adrian turned.
"That's not a request."
"Robert has men guarding the property. If he finds out Elena is alive, he'll move Grace."
"Then we get there before he can."
Elena rose too quickly and nearly collapsed.
Adrian caught her.
"You're not going anywhere until a doctor examines you."
"No," she whispered. "I have spent three years being told to wait. I will not wait another hour while my daughter is somewhere I cannot reach her."
He looked at her, and for the first time since her return, he saw the woman he had married: stubborn, brave, and unwilling to abandon someone she loved.
"All right," he said. "But you stay beside me."
Hannah brought Elena clean clothes and a warm coat. Adrian ordered his driver to prepare the armored car.
Before they left, he turned to Vanessa.
"If you have lied about anything else, I will find out."
Vanessa nodded.
"I understand."
They drove north under heavy rain.
The Sterling estate stood behind iron gates and tall stone walls. Cameras tracked the car as it approached.
Vanessa entered a security code.
The gates opened.
Inside, the mansion was illuminated by golden lights. A fountain stood in the courtyard, and a row of expensive cars lined the drive.
Adrian stepped out first.
A housekeeper opened the front door.
"Miss Sterling," she said. "Your father is expecting you."
Vanessa went pale.
"He is here?"
The housekeeper nodded.
"Mr. Sterling returned this afternoon."
Adrian's hand moved instinctively toward the weapon beneath his coat.
"Where is Grace?"
"Upstairs, sir."
A child's laughter floated down the hall.
Elena froze.
She pressed one hand against her mouth.
"That's her."
The sound came again.
A little girl appeared at the top of the staircase, holding a stuffed rabbit.
She had dark curls, green eyes, and a crescent-shaped birthmark visible above the neckline of her yellow dress.
Elena began to cry.
"Grace."
The child looked down.
"Mommy?"
Vanessa took a step forward.
"Grace, sweetheart, go back to your room."
The little girl clutched her rabbit.
"But who is that lady?"
Elena slowly climbed the stairs.
"Hello, darling."
Grace looked at her with wary curiosity.
"Do I know you?"
Elena stopped several steps away.
"You don't remember me, sweetheart. But I've loved you every day of your life."
Grace frowned.
Vanessa hurried between them.
"That's enough."
Adrian seized Vanessa's arm.
"Move."
A voice came from the study doorway.
"Let the child decide whom she wants to see."
Robert Sterling emerged wearing a charcoal suit and a silver watch. His hair had turned gray, but his eyes remained sharp.
He looked at Elena.
For a moment, he appeared genuinely surprised.
Then he smiled.
"Well. The dead do come back."
Adrian stepped toward him.
"You stole my wife and my daughter."
Robert shrugged.
"Strong words from a man who couldn't protect either of them."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"Where is the original hospital record?"
"Somewhere safe."
"Give it to me."
Robert smiled at Grace.
"Come here, sweetheart."
The little girl hesitated.
Elena extended her hand.
Grace looked from Vanessa to Elena, uncertain.
Then she asked the question that silenced everyone.
"Why does that lady have my eyes?"
May you like
Robert's smile vanished.
Because Grace had just noticed the one thing he could never falsify.
