“One of these girls may not be Olivia’s biological daughter.””
Rachel’s words hung in the dusty storage room, more terrifying than anything Victor had said.
I looked at Sophie, who was holding Ruby’s hand, and then at Rachel.
“What do you mean, may not be?””
Rachel swallowed.
“When Olivia discovered that Victor intended to separate the twins, she realized she couldn’t protect both girls by herself. She knew he had people inside the hospital. She knew someone was watching her.””
“So she switched them?””
“No. Not exactly.””
“Rachel, stop speaking in riddles!””
Sophie jumped at my raised voice.
I immediately crouched beside her.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Daddy’s not angry with you.””
She studied my face.
“Are you going to send Ruby away?””
The question nearly broke me.
“Never,” I whispered.
“Nobody is sending either of you anywhere.””
Ruby leaned against Sophie.
“But what if I’m not really her sister?””
“You are her sister,” I said firmly.
“Nothing anyone tells us can change that.””
Rachel looked away.
I stood and faced her again.
“Explain everything. Now.””
She took a shaky breath.
“Olivia gave birth to the twins at 2:13 and 2:19 in the morning. Both girls were healthy. But Dr.
Price had been instructed to register only one child under your name. The other was supposed to disappear into Victor’s private adoption network.””
“And Olivia knew?””
“Not at first. She discovered the plan when she overheard two nurses discussing the transfer.””
Rachel opened the hospital ledger and pointed to a handwritten note.
“Olivia asked me to help her get the babies out of the maternity ward. She wanted to take both girls to you. But before we could do that, Victor arrived.””
“What happened next?””
“Olivia hid one of the babies in a linen cart and gave me the other. She told me to take the baby to the emergency entrance and leave the note naming you as her father. She believed that once you had one child, you would never stop searching for the other.””
My throat tightened.
“So Sophie was the baby you left at the hospital.””
Rachel nodded.
“And Ruby?””
“Victor took her. Olivia was captured before she could escape with the second baby.””
I stared at the twins.
“Then why did you say one might not be Olivia’s biological daughter?””
Rachel hesitated.
“Because Olivia told me something else that night. She said Victor had discovered a secret about the babies’ conception. She was afraid that if he found out which girl carried that secret, he would use her against you.””
“What secret?””
“I don’t know. Olivia never explained it.””
“That doesn’t make sense. They’re twins.””
“Identical twins share nearly all their DNA, Damien. But Olivia was terrified that the records had been altered before the birth. She believed Victor wanted one particular child for a reason that had nothing to do with inheritance.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Did she ever say which child?””
Rachel shook her head.
“No. She only said that if you ever found both girls, you must never let Victor test them.””
Before I could respond, Detective Harris approached with his phone pressed to his ear.
“Mr. Cole, we have a problem.””
“What now?””
“The SUV outside is gone. We checked the surrounding streets, but there’s no sign of it.””
“Then let’s leave.””
“There’s something else. We ran the name Blackwater Estate through the property database. The estate is registered to a private holding company connected to your father’s trust.””
I looked at Rachel.
She had gone pale.
“Is it still occupied?”” I asked.
“According to the utility records, someone has been using it regularly.””
“Who?””
The detective lowered his phone.
“Martin Shaw.””
My attorney.
The man who had promised to protect my family.
The man whose signature appeared beside Olivia’s transfer.
I pulled out my phone and called him.
He answered immediately.
“Damien. Thank God. I’ve been trying to reach you.””
“Why is your signature on a hospital transfer order for my wife?””
Silence.
Then Martin sighed.
“I can explain.””
“Then explain.””
“Not over the phone.””
“Did you help Victor take Olivia?””
“No.””
“Did you know she was alive?””
Another pause.
“Yes.””
The word was barely audible.
I felt something inside me go cold.
“For six years?””
“I thought she would be returned to you.””
“You thought?””
“Your father assured me that she would be safe. He said she needed to remain hidden until the investigation into the trust was resolved.””
“Your father,” Rachel whispered bitterly.
“That’s what they always say when they want someone else to carry the blame.””
I ignored her.
“Where is Olivia?””
“Blackwater Estate.””
“And why are you there?””
“Because she escaped two days ago.””
I nearly dropped the phone.
“What?””
“She was being held in a secured room beneath the house. Victor left to deal with something in Atlanta. Olivia broke a window, injured herself getting out, and disappeared into the woods.””
“Why didn’t you call me?””
“Because Victor threatened to kill the girls if I did.””
I looked at Sophie and Ruby.
“Did she leave anything behind?””
“Yes.””
“What?””
“A message.””
Martin’s voice cracked.
“She said to tell you that the person you trust most is the one who arranged her disappearance.””
I stared at the phone.
“Martin, was it my father?””
“No.””
“Was it you?””
He didn’t answer.
Then he whispered, “Damien, you need to get those girls away from Atlanta. Victor has discovered something about their birth records. He’s coming for them tonight.””
The call disconnected.
I stood motionless.
Rachel touched my arm.
“We need to go.””
I nodded, but before we could leave, Detective Harris’s phone rang. He listened for a moment, then turned toward me with an expression I would never forget.
“Mr. Cole, the hospital just contacted us. They’ve located an archived DNA report from the night your daughters were born.””
I stared at him.
“What does it say?””
He hesitated.
“The report indicates that the newborn registered as Sophie Cole was not genetically related to Olivia Cole.””
My knees weakened.
“That is impossible.””
“There’s more,” he said quietly.
“The report lists a second maternal match. A woman named Elise Cole.””
Rachel covered her mouth.
I looked at the twins.
Sophie was watching me, tears gathering in her gray eyes.
“Daddy,” she whispered, “am I still your little girl?””
I dropped to my knees and pulled her into my arms.
“Always,” I told her.
“Nothing will ever change that.””
But as I held her, I realized the truth might be far more complicated than a switched baby.
Because if Sophie wasn’t Olivia’s biological daughter, then whose child had I been raising for six years?
And why had Olivia risked everything to make sure Sophie came home to me?
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
One photograph.
Olivia stood in front of a roadside motel, her face bruised, her hair tangled, and a hospital bracelet still fastened around her wrist.
Beneath it were five words.
*SHE KNOWS WHICH GIRL IS MINE.*
May you like
Then a second message appeared.
*ASK YOUR FATHER’S DOCTOR ABOUT THE EMBRYOS.*
