Chapter 14
I didn't know whether Elijah was my son.
I didn't know whether the photograph was authentic, whether the records had been altered, or whether someone was using my worst fears against me.
But I knew one thing.
I would not abandon a child who might be connected to me simply because the truth was frightening.
I turned toward Dr.
Mercer.
“Preserve every record you have.
Don't give the originals to anyone without proper documentation.”
He nodded.
Then I looked at Daniel.
“Your father may be dead, Colonel.
But someone who helped him is still very much alive.”
Daniel's face had lost every trace of arrogance.
“What are you going to do?”
I slipped the phone into my pocket.
“Find out what happened.”
“And Elijah?”
I looked at the photograph again.
The boy's gray eyes seemed to stare directly into mine.
“If he needs help, we'll make sure he gets it.”
Daniel swallowed.
“I'm coming with you.”
I shook my head.
“Not until we know who can be trusted.”
He looked wounded.
Eight years earlier, I might have cared.
Now my priority was protecting the children.
I turned toward the sitting room.
Noah looked up and smiled.
“Mom!
We saved you a chocolate!”
I smiled back, though tears blurred my vision.
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
Sophia ran toward me and wrapped her arms around my waist.
“Are we going home soon?”
I held her tightly.
“Yes, baby.
Soon.”
But then Olivia approached.
She was carrying a folded piece of paper.
“Mom, a lady gave me this.”
My heart stopped.
“What lady?”
Olivia pointed toward the hallway.
“The one with the red scarf.”
I unfolded the paper.
It contained a simple drawing.
Five children holding hands beneath a Christmas tree.
Four stood together.
The fifth stood slightly apart.
Underneath the drawing, written in uneven childish handwriting, were seven words:
“Please tell my real mommy I remember.”
I stared at the page.
“Olivia,” I whispered, “where is the lady now?”
My daughter pointed toward the front entrance.
“She went outside.”
I turned sharply.
Through the tall windows, beyond the falling snow, I saw a small figure standing near the estate's iron gates.
A boy.
Wearing a red winter coat.
He was looking directly toward the mansion.
Toward me.
For one impossible second, our eyes met.
Then a dark vehicle pulled alongside him.
The passenger door opened.
A woman's hand reached out.
The boy hesitated.