Chapter 3 — A Mother's Greatest Crime
Chapter 3 — A Mother's Greatest Crime
The mansion's security office quickly retrieved archived footage and family records.
Within an hour, the truth began surfacing piece by piece.
Twenty years earlier...
Julian's father had died unexpectedly.
His grieving mother had given birth to a baby girl only weeks later.
But before she ever held her daughter...
The infant had disappeared.
Doctors were told the baby had died during the night.
No body was ever shown.
No funeral was held.
The investigation quietly vanished.
Because Eleanor had made sure it did.
She had bribed a nurse.
Paid a lawyer.
Forged hospital documents.
Everything for one reason.
If another child inherited the Ashford estate...
Her own control over the family's fortune would disappear forever.
She hadn't killed the baby.
She had simply erased her.
Julian felt physically sick.
His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white.
"You stole my sister."
Eleanor's tears finally appeared.
"I did it for this family!"
"No."
Julian's voice remained calm.
"You did it for yourself."
Lily stood frozen, unable to process what she had just heard.
Her entire life...
Every unanswered question...
Every lonely birthday...
Every night wondering why no one came...
Now had an answer.
Julian slowly walked toward her.
He hesitated.
Then gently wrapped his arms around her.
Neither of them spoke.
Some wounds were too deep for words.
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For the first time in her life...
Lily knew exactly where she belonged.
