Chapter 10 - Project LilyThe truth behind the twins was bigger than a custody fight.The file contained documents dating back three years.
Before my wedding.
Before pregnancy.
Before the twins.
The project involved fertility records.
Private donors.
Trusts.
Insurance policies.
And children.
Not one.
Seven.
Seven children whose embryos had been transferred through the same clinic.
Seven families.
Seven altered genetic records.
I stared at the list.
“This is trafficking.”
Claire nodded.
“We're beyond a domestic dispute now.”
“What is Project Lily?”
“We don't know yet.”
Daniel arrived that afternoon.
He saw the files.
His face changed.
“My wife.”
I looked at him.
“What about her?”
“She was part of the original study.”
“What study?”
“Hart Biomedical funded an experimental fertility program.”
“And the clinic?”
“Participated.”
“Was Evelyn involved?”
Daniel nodded.
“My company pulled out.”
“Why?”
“Because they weren't just studying fertility outcomes.”
“What were they studying?”
He stared at the document.
“Inheritance.”
I felt sick.
“They matched embryos with wealthy families.”
“Yes.”
“Based on genetics?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because certain donors carried rare genetic traits.”
I looked at the twins.
“So one of them was valuable because of who she was.”
“Yes.”
“And Brandon…”
Daniel's face hardened.
“Was paid.”
The room went silent.
“Paid for what?”
“For marrying you.”
I couldn't move.
“What?”
Daniel continued.
“Evelyn needed access to you, your medical records, your fertility treatment.”
My ears rang.
“No.”
Claire slowly turned a document toward me.
A transfer.
From Evelyn's company.
To Brandon.
The date was eight months before our wedding.
The description:
Consulting Agreement.
Amount:
$150,000.
I felt as though the room had tilted.
“I wasn't loved.”
Claire shook her head.
“We don't know that yet.”
But I knew.
Or at least, I knew what the evidence suggested.
Brandon had married me with a secret agenda.
Maybe he had fallen in love afterward.
Maybe he hadn't.
Either way, our marriage had been built on a lie.
Daniel looked at me.
“I need to tell you something else.”
“What?”
“Your biological daughter is not the only child involved.”
I looked up.
“What do you mean?”
He pulled out another photograph.
A woman.
Holding a baby.
“She gave birth six months ago.”
“Who is she?”
“My former partner.”
I stared.
“You had another child?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did Evelyn care about my daughter?”
“Because your daughter was the first.”
“The first what?”
“The first successful transfer from a genetically protected donor line.”
I frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel looked at Claire.
“Tell her.”
Claire took a breath.
“The donor profile attached to your daughter contains a rare genetic sequence.”
I swallowed.
“What kind?”
“One associated with an inherited neurological disorder.”
I stared.
“So she's sick?”
“No.”
Claire shook her head.
“She has the marker, but not the disease.”
“Then why is it valuable?”
“Because pharmaceutical companies are studying the marker.”
My stomach turned.
“A baby.”
“Yes.”
“Her genetics were worth millions.”
Daniel nodded.
That was when I heard footsteps in the hallway.
Melissa entered.
She was pale.
“Huy.”
I turned.
“What happened?”
She held up her phone.
“Brandon just called.”
I stood.
“What did he say?”
“He wants to meet you.”
“Where?”
She swallowed.
“At the hospital.”
“Why?”
“He says Evelyn has been found.”
I stared at her.
“Where?”
Melissa's eyes filled with fear.
“She has your daughters.”
I couldn't breathe.
“What?”
“Brandon says she took one.”
I grabbed my coat.
“Which one?”
May you like
Melissa looked at me.
“Emma.”
Related Stories
