Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT HARPER WAS BORNThey escaped through the cemetery gate.

Gabriel drove through the rain.

Noah sat in the back.

Emma and Victoria followed in another car.

Harper stared at Gabriel.

"What happened the night I was born?"

He said nothing.

"Tell me."

"Not while we're driving."

"Tell me now."

Gabriel tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"There was a fire."

"Where?"

"St. Vincent's Hospital."

"My hospital?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"Your mother gave birth to twins."

"Emma and me."

"Yes."

"Then what?"

Gabriel's voice dropped.

"Someone tried to take you."

"Who?"

"We never knew."

Harper looked out the window.

"You're lying."

"No."

"I saw something."

"What?"

"A woman."

Gabriel glanced at her.

"Who?"

"She was holding me."

Harper's memory sharpened.

The woman wore a police uniform.

She handed Harper to another person.

A man.

He wore a silver badge.

Richard Lawson.

Harper gasped.

"He took me."

Gabriel nodded.

"Richard kidnapped you."

"Why didn't anyone find me?"

"Because the hospital records were destroyed."

"How did I survive?"

"Your mother tracked you down six months later."

"Then why did she pretend I was her only child?"

"Because Richard threatened to kill Emma."

Harper closed her eyes.

Her mother had sacrificed her own daughter to save the other.

But there was more.

"What happened after?"

"Your mother tried to expose Richard."

"And?"

Gabriel didn't answer.

"Tell me."

"She was murdered."

Harper stared.

"Derek said she killed herself."

"Derek lied."

"Who killed her?"

Gabriel's eyes met hers in the rearview mirror.

"Your father."

Harper's heart stopped.

"My father?"

"Richard Lawson had your father working for him."

"No."

"He betrayed your mother."

The car suddenly shook.

A tire exploded.

Gabriel lost control.

The vehicle slammed into a barrier.

Harper hit her head.

Everything went dark.

She woke to a burning smell.

Smoke filled the car.

Noah was screaming.

Gabriel was unconscious.

Harper forced the door open.

She dragged Noah out.

Then returned for Gabriel.

She pulled him free just seconds before the fuel tank exploded.

Flames consumed the vehicle.

Across the road, a silhouette stood watching.

A woman.

Harper recognized her.

Victoria.

But there were two Victorias.

One standing beside Emma's car.

And another watching from the forest.

The second woman removed her hood.

Harper stared.

It was her mother.

Impossible.

Harper whispered:

"Mom?"

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The woman smiled.

Then disappeared into the trees.