Chapter 14 - The Last Heir
The second paternity test confirmed the first.
Donovan Hayes was the biological father of Maeve's child.
The independent laboratory had no connection to the original clinic, the family trust, or any of Donovan's businesses. The result was clear, legally documented, and impossible to dismiss without presenting fabricated evidence.
For the first time in weeks, Maeve allowed herself to imagine the future.
Not a perfect future.
Not one where Donovan's past could be erased or the danger surrounding his family would disappear overnight.
But a future in which their child could be born without becoming the subject of a secret investigation.
The thought lasted less than an hour.
At noon, Elena arrived at the townhouse with Adrian.
She looked exhausted, bruised, and furious.
Donovan crossed the room to meet her.
For a long moment, they simply looked at each other.
Then Elena slapped him.
The sound echoed through the living room.
Maeve froze.
Julian took one step forward before Donovan raised a hand to stop him.
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
“You let him take my son.”
Donovan absorbed the accusation without moving.
“I didn't know where he was.”
“You should have found him.”
“I searched for you.”
“Not hard enough.”
Donovan lowered his head.
“You're right.”
The answer seemed to surprise her.
Her anger faltered.
“I spent three years believing you were dead,” he continued. “I let Victor tell me what happened because I trusted him. I should have demanded answers. I should have investigated every record, every signature, every person who claimed to know what happened to you.”
Elena stared at him.
“But I didn't.”
He looked up.
“I can't give you back those three years. I can't undo the fear you lived with or the nights Adrian cried because he didn't understand why he couldn't go home.”
His voice broke slightly.
“But I'm here now. And I will spend the rest of my life making certain no one takes him from you again.”
Elena began to cry.
This time, when Donovan stepped forward, she let him embrace her.
Adrian watched from beside Maeve.
“Is he my uncle?” he asked.
Maeve crouched carefully.
“Yes.”
“Is he angry?”
“Not with you.”
The boy considered this.
Then he walked toward Donovan and held up a small toy car.
“Do you want to see my car?”
Donovan looked down at him.
His eyes filled.
“I'd like that very much.”
While Donovan and Elena sat with Adrian, Maeve spoke privately with Julian.
“Did you find out who Lily Hayes is?”
Julian shook his head.
“Not yet. The records were deliberately fragmented. Someone created separate identities for several children, all connected to the private clinic.”
“Were the mothers identified?”
“Some. Others were listed as deceased, missing, or unknown.”
Maeve's stomach tightened.
“Could this be connected to the charity money?”
“We believe so. The stolen funds paid for the clinic, private security, and legal arrangements to conceal the children's identities.”
“Why would anyone do that?”
“Some may have been abandoned. Some may have been born into families that wanted to hide embarrassing relationships. Others may have been part of an inheritance dispute.”
Maeve looked through the doorway at Adrian.
“Children aren't evidence to be hidden.”
“No,” Julian said quietly. “But for men like Victor, they can become assets.”
Maeve turned toward him.
“And who else was involved?”
Julian hesitated.
“We've identified several shell companies connected to Matteo Vescari. But one account was managed by a trustee appointed by Thomas Hayes.”
“Who?”
Julian lowered his voice.
“Margaret Bell.”
Maeve recognized the name from the family documents.
Donovan's father's longtime legal adviser.
“She helped create the trust?”
“Yes. She also signed the order sealing the records for Baby H.”
Maeve stared at him.
“Then she knows who the parents are.”
“We believe she does.”
“Where is she?”
“Her office is empty. She hasn't been seen for two days.”
Maeve shook her head.
“Everyone is disappearing.”
Julian looked at her.
“That's why we need to find her before Victor does.”
That evening, Donovan received a call from an unknown number.
The voice on the other end was female.
“Donovan Hayes?”
“Who is this?”
“Margaret Bell.”
He stood immediately.
“Where are you?”
“Somewhere I can speak without being overheard.”
“Then speak.”
“I need you to understand that your father was not the man you believed him to be.”
Donovan's expression hardened.
“Explain.”
“He discovered Victor's activities shortly before his death. He knew money was being diverted through the charity foundation. He knew children were being registered under false identities. He knew that Elena's pregnancy had become part of the scheme.”
Maeve moved closer.
“What happened to Baby H?” Donovan demanded.
Margaret exhaled shakily.
“Baby H was born to a woman named Sophia Bennett.”
Maeve froze.
Bennett.
Her surname.
Donovan turned toward her.
“Do you know that name?” he asked.
Maeve shook her head, unable to speak.
Margaret continued.
“Sophia Bennett was a nurse at the private clinic. She died shortly after giving birth. The child's father was listed as Daniel Hayes, but that name was a false identity.”
Donovan stared at the phone.
“Then who was the father?”
“Your father.”
Silence.
Thomas Hayes had fathered another child before he died.
A child whose identity had been concealed.
A child whose descendants could challenge the family trust.
Maeve slowly sat down.
“Is Baby H still alive?” Donovan asked.
“Yes.”
“Who has the child?”
“Margaret, tell me.”
Her voice trembled.
“The child is no longer a baby.”
Donovan closed his eyes.
“Where?”
Margaret gave him an address.
A small residential home outside the city.
Then she added one final sentence.
“Donovan, there's another reason Victor has been trying to destroy your relationship with Maeve.”
“What?”
“Maeve's mother was not the woman who gave birth to her.”
Maeve stopped breathing.
The room seemed to go silent around her.
“What did you say?” she whispered.
Margaret had heard her.
“Maeve, I am sorry. But your birth records were among the documents your mother signed before she died. I believe you were adopted as an infant.”
Maeve shook her head.
“No.”
“I'm sorry.”
“No. That's impossible.”
Donovan reached for her hand.
Maeve pulled away instinctively.
“My mother raised me. I know my mother's name. I know where she was buried.”
“Your mother loved you,” Margaret said softly. “That much I believe.”
Maeve stared at the phone.
“Who were my biological parents?”
Margaret went silent.
Then she answered.
“Your father was Thomas Hayes.”
Maeve felt the world disappear beneath her feet.
Donovan had become utterly still.
Margaret continued, her voice barely audible.
“And your biological mother was Sophia Bennett, the nurse who died after giving birth to Baby H.”
Maeve looked at Donovan.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The unborn child inside her was Donovan's.
But if Maeve was Thomas Hayes's daughter, then the baby she carried was also his father's grandchild through both parents.
The implications were staggering.
The family trust.
The secret births.
The children hidden from the law.
All of it had been built around one terrible secret.
May you like
Maeve and Donovan were half-siblings.
And someone had known it before they ever met.
