Chapter 1 – The Birthmark
The ballroom fell silent.
Margaret Bennett stood frozen, her fingers still clutching the torn lace from Emily's wedding gown.
"No... That can't be..."
Daniel stepped protectively in front of Emily.
"Mom, enough. What are you talking about?"
Margaret didn't answer.
She stared at the butterfly-shaped birthmark on Emily's left shoulder, tears filling her eyes.
"I've seen that birthmark before," she whispered.
Emily instinctively covered her shoulder.
"You know what this means?"
Margaret slowly nodded.
"Twenty-six years ago... my younger sister gave birth to a little girl. The baby disappeared from the hospital only hours after she was born."
The guests exchanged shocked glances.
Emily felt her knees weaken.
"My parents told me she died," Margaret continued. "But she didn't. She was kidnapped."
Daniel looked from his mother to Emily.
"Are you saying Emily could be..."
Margaret swallowed hard.
"My niece."
May you like
No one spoke.
The wedding had become the beginning of a mystery no one expected.
