Chapter 7: The Child Nobody Was Supposed to Remember
The name Lily stayed in my head throughout the drive.
Lily.
Daniel's daughter.
A child Elena had apparently known about before the accident.
And a child Simone had threatened to use against us.
Marcus drove while Evelyn spoke to the police. My mother sat in the back, clutching her handbag.
I hadn't forgiven her.
I wasn't sure I ever could.
But she was the only person who might know what had happened to Elena.
“Mom,” I said.
She looked up.
“Who is Lily?””
Margaret hesitated.
“Daniel had a daughter from his first marriage.””
“Had?””
“She died.””
“When?””
“According to Daniel, when she was four months old.””
I looked at her.
“And you believe that?””
My mother shook her head.
“No.””
Evelyn turned around.
“Why?””
Margaret took out the photograph again.
“Because Elena told me she had seen Lily alive six months after Daniel claimed she died.””
I stared.
“Where?””
“At a private clinic. Elena said the baby had a different name.””
“What was it?””
“I don't know.””
Marcus glanced at us in the mirror.
“Why would Simone be involved?””
My mother closed her eyes.
“Because Simone and Daniel were not just business partners.””
Nobody spoke.
Then she added:
“They were married.””
I felt the air leave my lungs.
“What?””
Margaret nodded.
“Years ago. Before Daniel's first wife died.””
Evelyn immediately searched her files.
“Are you sure?””
“I saw the wedding photograph.””
“Why didn't you tell anyone?””
My mother looked at me.
“Because Daniel had powerful friends. Simone told me he could ruin my family if I spoke.””
I laughed without humor.
“You mean the family you were supposedly protecting?””
She lowered her eyes.
We reached Harbor View at 5:18 p.m.
It was a large property surrounded by tall trees and a metal fence.
A discreet sign stood near the entrance.
*HARBOR VIEW PRIVATE RESIDENCE.*
The building looked nothing like a hospital.
It was a renovated mansion with security cameras above the front entrance.
Two black vehicles were parked outside.
Marcus stopped the SUV several houses away.
Evelyn checked her phone.
“The police are positioning themselves around the property. They want us to wait.””
I stared at the building.
“What if Elena is moved?””
“They have officers watching the exits.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Simone.
*I can see your car. Don't make me regret giving you this chance.*
I looked toward the second-floor window.
A curtain moved.
Then Elena appeared.
She was standing behind the glass.
Our eyes met.
Even from that distance, I recognized the way she tilted her head when she was trying not to cry.
I opened the car door.
“Darius!”” Evelyn shouted.
But I was already running.
The front gate was unlocked.
I pushed through it and raced toward the house.
A security guard stepped out.
“Sir, you can't enter.””
“My wife is inside!””
He grabbed my arm.
“Please calm down.””
I pulled free.
“Her name is Elena Cole!””
The guard's expression changed.
Before he could answer, the front door opened.
Simone stood there.
“Darius.””
I stopped.
She was wearing the same diamond earrings I had bought her for our engagement.
The sight made me feel physically ill.
“Where is she?””
Simone smiled faintly.
“Inside.””
“Take me to her.””
“Not until you give me the recorder.””
I held it up.
“Let me see my wife first.””
Simone stepped onto the porch.
“You're making this unnecessarily difficult.””
“You stole three years of my life.””
“I protected Elena.””
“You locked her away!””
“She was sick!””
“Then why did you tell me she was dead?””
Simone's expression hardened.
“Because you wouldn't have understood.””
I stepped closer.
“Try me.””
She looked over my shoulder.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Where's Marcus?””
“Not your concern.””
“And Evelyn?””
I said nothing.
Simone sighed.
“Darius, I really did love you.””
“Don't.””
“I wanted a future with you.””
“You wanted my money.””
She looked genuinely offended.
“Is that what Elena told you?””
“No. The insurance documents did.””
For the first time, Simone's composure cracked.
“You don't understand those documents.””
“Then explain why my signature was forged.””
She looked away.
I moved toward the door.
A guard stepped into my path.
Simone raised her hand.
“Let him inside.””
The guard moved aside.
I entered.
The house smelled of disinfectant and expensive perfume.
A narrow hallway led to a staircase.
I could hear a television playing somewhere upstairs.
“Where is Elena?””
“Room 12.””
I started toward the stairs.
Simone followed.
“But first, we need to discuss Lily.””
I stopped.
“What happened to her?””
Simone crossed her arms.
“Daniel's daughter was born with a serious medical condition. Her mother died shortly afterward. Daniel couldn't cope.””
“And?””
“He made arrangements for someone else to raise her.””
“Who?””
Simone smiled without warmth.
“Elena.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
“Your wife became involved in a private adoption arrangement. She believed she was helping a child.””
“Why would she do that without telling me?””
“Because she was hiding things from you long before the accident.””
I shook my head.
“That's another lie.””
Simone shrugged.
“Ask her yourself.””
She pointed upstairs.
I moved past her.
At the top of the stairs, a woman in a gray uniform stepped out of a room.
“Mr. Cole?””
I nodded.
“Where is my wife?””
The woman glanced at Simone.
Then she quietly pointed toward the end of the hallway.
Room 12.
I opened the door.
And there she was.
Elena sat beside a window, wearing a pale blue sweater.
Her hair was short.
Her face was thinner.
But her eyes were exactly the same.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then she stood.
“Darius?””
My legs nearly gave way.
“Elena.””
She covered her mouth.
I crossed the room in three steps and wrapped my arms around her.
She began sobbing against my chest.
I held her so tightly I was afraid she might disappear.
“I'm sorry,” I whispered.
She shook her head.
“Don't. You didn't know.””
“I should have found you.””
“They made sure you couldn't.””
I pulled back and looked at her face.
“Are you hurt?””
She nodded slightly.
“Not anymore.””
“Where have you been?””
She looked toward the door.
“Darius, we need to leave.””
“I'm not going anywhere without you.””
Her eyes filled.
“Then get Ava.””
I froze.
“Ava is safe. She's with Mrs. Parker.””
Elena closed her eyes in relief.
“My baby.””
I took out my phone.
“Do you want to speak to her?””
She nodded.
I called Marcus.
He answered immediately.
“Where are you?””
“Room 12. I found her.””
“Police are outside. Don't move.””
I turned toward Elena.
“Help is coming.””
She suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“Darius, listen to me.””
“What?””
“Lily is here.””
I stared.
“Where?””
“Room 14.””
Before I could respond, the door opened.
Simone entered.
She was holding a small photograph.
“I'm afraid you don't get to take everyone home today.””
Elena moved behind me.
“Leave us alone, Simone.””
Simone smiled.
“You always were dramatic.””
Then she placed the photograph on the table.
It showed a little girl with dark curls, sitting on a hospital bed.
She looked about four years old.
On the back was a name.
*AVA COLE.*
My blood turned cold.
“Why is my daughter's name on this?””
Simone's smile widened.
“Because the girl in that photograph isn't Lily.””
I looked at Elena.
She began shaking her head.
“Darius, don't listen to her.””
Simone leaned toward me.
“Your daughter has a twin.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
Elena grabbed my hand.
“Darius, I was pregnant before Ava was born. There were two babies.””
My mind stopped working.
“Two?””
She nodded through tears.
“One of them was taken.””
Simone turned toward the door.
“Daniel has been raising her.””
And then, from the hallway, a little girl's voice called out:
“Mommy?””
May you like
Elena began crying.
Because the child standing in the doorway had my daughter's face.
