Chapter 10 - The room became silent.Evelyn looked at Sophie through the doorway.

The child was holding a stuffed rabbit.

Her eyes met Evelyn's.

Something inside Evelyn collapsed.

“No.”

Michael stepped forward.

“She was taken from the hospital after you were arrested.”

“You're lying.”

“I wish I was.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because Victor would have killed her.”

“You let me believe my child was dead.”

“Yes.”

Evelyn struck him again.

This time he didn't move.

She hit him until Daniel pulled her away.

“You don't get to protect me anymore!” she screamed.

Michael stood there crying.

“I know.”

Evelyn pointed toward Sophie.

“You stole three years from me.”

“No.”

“You stole my daughter.”

“No.”

“You let me mourn a child who was alive.”

Michael whispered:

“I kept her alive.”

That sentence stopped Evelyn.

Michael continued.

“I took her because Victor wanted the trust.”

“The trust required her?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Your father's final provision.”

The trust had been designed so that if Evelyn were imprisoned or declared incompetent, ownership would temporarily pass to her first biological child.

That made Sophie the legal key.

Victor wanted her.

Not because she was a child.

Because she controlled the money.

Evelyn stared at Daniel.

“Did you know?”

“No.”

“Not even you?”

Daniel shook his head.

“I thought Sophie was mine.”

Michael looked at him.

“You were supposed to.”

Daniel turned.

“What does that mean?”

Michael's expression collapsed.

“Victor had your DNA records altered.”

Daniel stepped forward.

“You're saying Sophie was never my daughter?”

“She isn't.”

Daniel looked at the child.

His face broke.

Then a new sound came from the hallway.

Olivia.

She entered slowly.

Everyone turned.

Evelyn stared at her.

“You have five seconds.”

Olivia looked at Sophie.

Then tears filled her eyes.

“I didn't know.”

Evelyn laughed.

“You didn't know?”

Olivia shook her head.

“Victor told me the baby died.”

Michael looked furious.

“You believed him.”

“He showed me documents.”

“You never checked.”

Olivia covered her mouth.

“I was afraid.”

Evelyn stepped toward her.

“You helped put me in prison.”

“I know.”

“You stole my husband.”

“I know.”

“You let me believe my child died.”

Olivia started crying.

“I never knew she was yours.”

“Who told you?”

“Victor.”

Silence.

Then Daniel asked:

“Where is Victor?”

Olivia looked terrified.

“He knows the truth.”

Evelyn froze.

“What truth?”

Olivia whispered:

“He knows Sophie survived.”

Michael suddenly looked toward the window.

“What?”

A car door slammed outside.

Then another.

Daniel pulled Sophie behind him.

Olivia backed away.

Michael whispered:

“They found us.”

Evelyn heard the sound of engines.

Three black SUVs stopped outside.

Men stepped out.

Victor Bennett emerged from the middle vehicle.

He looked exactly the same.

Elegant.

Calm.

Untouchable.

He smiled when he saw Evelyn through the glass.

Then he raised one hand.

Everyone froze.

Victor spoke through the open front door.

“Evelyn.”

She stared at him.

“You killed my father.”

Victor smiled.

“No.”

He looked at Sophie.

“I protected his legacy.”

Then he said the words that chilled everyone in the room.

“You want to know why your mother disappeared?”

Evelyn didn't answer.

Victor smiled.

“Ask her what she did the night your father died.”

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