Chapter 6 — The Night Lily Was Taken
Chapter 6 — The Night Lily Was Taken
The photograph remained frozen on Nathan's phone.
Richard Cole stood on the left.
The unknown man stood beside him.
Nathan knew that face.
He had seen him years ago.
At board meetings.
At charity dinners.
Outside his father's office.
Always in the background.
Never important enough to remember.
Until now.
Grace stared at the screen.
“Who is he?”
Nathan swallowed.
“Martin Hale.”
Victoria's face changed.
“You know him?”
“I know of him.”
“Who is he?”
“Your father's private attorney.”
Victoria shook her head.
“No.”
Nathan looked at her.
“What?”
“Martin Hale wasn't just his attorney.”
“What was he?”
Victoria's voice dropped.
“He was the man who handled everything Richard didn't want connected to him.”
Grace stepped back.
“The night Lily was born…”
Victoria nodded.
“He was there.”
Nathan's expression hardened.
“Then we go back to Saint Mary's.”
Grace shook her head.
“No.”
Nathan looked at her.
“I need to know what happened.”
“So do I.”
“Then why are you afraid?”
Grace's eyes filled with tears.
“Because the last time I remembered that night…”
She swallowed.
“I thought my daughter was dead.”
Five years earlier.
Saint Mary's Hospital.
2:17 a.m.
Grace screamed.
Another contraction tore through her body.
The nurse rushed to her side.
“Breathe.”
“I can't.”
“You can.”
Grace gripped the sheets.
“Where is Nathan?”
The nurse hesitated.
Grace noticed.
“Where is he?”
“He's on his way.”
“You're lying.”
“Grace—”
“I know he's here.”
She had been asking for Nathan for hours.
Every time, the answer was the same.
He's coming.
But he never came.
Because he didn't know where she was.
And because Richard had made sure he never would.
At 2:31 a.m., Lily was born.
A tiny cry filled the room.
Grace began crying immediately.
“My baby.”
The nurse lifted the child.
“She has a strong heartbeat.”
Grace reached for her.
“Please.”
The baby was placed against her chest.
Grace stared.
Dark hair.
Tiny fingers.
Gray eyes.
“Oh God.”
She kissed her forehead.
“Lily.”
The baby opened her eyes.
Grace smiled through tears.
“Your daddy is going to love you.”
Then the door opened.
Richard walked in.
Grace's smile disappeared.
“What are you doing here?”
Richard looked at the baby.
“I came to see my granddaughter.”
“You have no right.”
He walked closer.
“Give her to me.”
“No.”
Grace tightened her arms.
“She stays with me.”
Richard's expression hardened.
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“You are in no condition to make decisions.”
“I am her mother.”
Richard looked at the nurse.
“Leave us.”
The nurse hesitated.
Grace said:
“Don't.”
Richard turned toward the nurse.
“I said leave.”
The nurse slowly backed away.
The door closed.
Grace was alone with Richard.
And her newborn daughter.
Richard stared at Lily.
“She has Nathan's eyes.”
Grace's fear grew.
“What do you want?”
“Her.”
“No.”
“I wasn't asking.”
“You'll never take her.”
Richard smiled.
“You still think this is about Nathan.”
“It is.”
“No.”
He leaned closer.
“This is about the family.”
Grace held Lily tighter.
“She is not property.”
“She is a Cole.”
“She is my daughter.”
“And my granddaughter.”
Richard's voice became colder.
“She belongs to the family.”
Grace shook her head.
“No.”
Richard looked toward the door.
“Bring them in.”
Grace's heart stopped.
Two men entered.
One was Thomas Reed.
The other was Martin Hale.
Grace recognized neither.
Thomas carried a small black case.
Martin held several documents.
“What is happening?”
Martin placed the papers on the table.
“Temporary guardianship.”
Grace stared.
“No.”
“You will sign.”
“I won't.”
“You're exhausted.”
“I said no.”
“You have no legal representation.”
“I don't need one.”
“You do tonight.”
Grace looked at Thomas.
“What is in that case?”
He didn't answer.
Richard spoke.
“Medication.”
Grace's face went pale.
“What kind?”
“Something to help you sleep.”
“No.”
Richard smiled.
“Then cooperate.”
Grace realized the truth.
They weren't asking.
They were taking Lily.
She looked at the newborn in her arms.
Then at the three men.
“Why?”
Richard didn't answer.
Martin did.
“Your daughter has a genetic marker that makes her valuable.”
Grace stared.
“Valuable?”
“To certain people.”
“What people?”
Martin closed the file.
“That is not your concern.”
“She is my child!”
“Yes.”
“And you're talking about her like she's an asset.”
Martin's expression didn't change.
“Because she is.”
Grace screamed.
“Get out!”
Thomas stepped forward.
Richard raised his hand.
“Not yet.”
He looked at Grace.
“There is another option.”
“What?”
“You sign the guardianship.”
“And?”
“You disappear.”
Grace stared.
“You mean forever.”
“Yes.”
“And Nathan?”
“You tell him you left.”
“I won't.”
“Then he loses the company.”
Grace's face fell.
Richard continued.
“And if you refuse again…”
He looked at Lily.
“You may never see her again.”
Grace looked down at her daughter.
The baby was sleeping peacefully.
Completely unaware.
Grace whispered:
“I'm sorry.”
Then she looked at Richard.
“I'll sign.”
Richard smiled.
“But there is one condition.”
“What?”
“I want Nathan to believe Lily died.”
Grace's blood ran cold.
“No.”
“Otherwise he'll search for you.”
“I'll disappear.”
“He won't believe it.”
“I'll tell him I left.”
“He'll still search.”
Grace shook her head.
“I won't tell him about Lily.”
“Exactly.”
Richard's smile returned.
“Now you're understanding.”
But Grace had no intention of obeying.
As soon as Richard left the room, she whispered to the nurse:
“Help me.”
The nurse looked terrified.
“They're watching.”
“Please.”
“I can't.”
Grace grabbed her hand.
“Please.”
The nurse looked at Lily.
Then at Grace.
She finally nodded.
“I know a way out.”
3:06 a.m.
The nurse pushed a wheelchair through the service corridor.
Lily was hidden beneath a blanket.
Grace wore a hospital gown.
They moved quickly.
Every sound made Grace panic.
Then footsteps.
The nurse stopped.
A security guard appeared.
“Where are you going?”
“Radiology.”
“At this hour?”
“Doctor's orders.”
The guard looked suspicious.
Then a voice came from behind them.
“Stop.”
Richard.
Grace's heart stopped.
The nurse whispered:
“Go.”
Grace ran.
She pushed through a service door.
Rain hit her face.
She ran barefoot.
Lily cried beneath the blanket.
Grace held her tighter.
“Mommy's here.”
She reached the parking lot.
A car waited.
The driver was a woman.
Margaret Cole.
Nathan's mother.
Grace froze.
Margaret opened the passenger door.
“Get in.”
Grace stared.
“Why?”
“Because Richard will find you.”
“You're helping me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Margaret looked at Lily.
“Because I know what my husband plans to do.”
They drove through the night.
Grace looked at Margaret.
“What does he want?”
Margaret's hands tightened around the wheel.
“He wants Lily's medical records.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
Margaret shook her head.
“I know enough to be afraid.”
Grace looked down at Lily.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“Then why did you help him?”
Margaret looked at her.
“I didn't.”
Grace frowned.
“What?”
“I helped Richard because I thought I could control him.”
“And?”
“I couldn't.”
At 4:12 a.m., the car stopped.
Margaret handed Grace an envelope.
“Money.”
Grace stared.
“I don't want it.”
“You'll need it.”
“I need Nathan.”
Margaret looked away.
“I can't bring you to him.”
“Why?”
“Because Richard is watching.”
Grace began crying.
“I can't do this alone.”
Margaret's expression softened.
“You're not alone.”
She touched Lily's cheek.
“Take care of her.”
Grace looked at her.
“You're her grandmother.”
Margaret nodded.
“And I failed her.”
Then Margaret did something Grace never expected.
She took off her wedding ring.
She placed it in Grace's hand.
“If you ever need to prove that I helped you…”
Grace stared at the ring.
“Why?”
“Because one day, you may need someone to believe you.”
Margaret opened the car door.
“Go.”
Grace stepped out.
“Where?”
“Anywhere Richard cannot find you.”
But Richard found them.
Not that night.
Three days later.
Grace had reached a small town.
She rented a room under a false name.
She had almost convinced herself she was safe.
Then she opened the door.
Thomas Reed stood outside.
Grace froze.
He looked at Lily.
“Mr. Cole wants the child.”
“No.”
“He won't hurt her.”
“You lied before.”
Thomas stepped closer.
Grace backed away.
“Stay away from my daughter.”
Thomas sighed.
“Your refusal will make this harder.”
“I don't care.”
He reached for Lily.
Grace screamed.
Someone appeared behind Thomas.
Margaret.
She struck him with a metal lamp.
Thomas fell.
“Run!”
Grace didn't hesitate.
She grabbed Lily and ran.
That was the beginning of the five years.
The running.
The hiding.
The lies.
The constant fear.
Grace moved from state to state.
Never staying more than six months.
She worked as a waitress.
A cleaner.
A receptionist.
Anything that paid enough to keep Lily fed.
Every night she checked the locks.
Every morning she looked outside before opening the curtains.
She never trusted strangers.
Never photographed Lily publicly.
Never told anyone her real name.
And every birthday…
she wondered whether Nathan remembered the date.
Back in the present, Nathan sat in the hospital archive.
Helen placed another file on the table.
“This is what we recovered.”
Nathan opened it.
Inside was a report.
NEWBORN TRANSFER — LILY MILLER
Transfer destination:
Cole Private Research Facility.
Nathan stared.
“No.”
Grace leaned over his shoulder.
Her face went white.
“That was the place.”
“What place?”
“Richard's private facility.”
Nathan looked at her.
“You've been there?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Six months after Lily was born.”
“What happened?”
Grace's voice trembled.
“I found the building.”
Nathan froze.
“You went there?”
“I wanted to know why.”
“What did you find?”
Grace looked at the report.
“A room.”
“What room?”
“Nursery.”
Nathan's blood ran cold.
“What?”
Grace began crying.
“There were photographs of Lily.”
“Baby photographs?”
“Yes.”
“Who took them?”
Grace looked at him.
“Your father.”
Nathan turned the page.
A photograph fell out.
Lily.
Three months old.
Sleeping.
Attached to medical monitors.
Nathan's face changed.
“Where was this taken?”
Grace whispered:
“At the facility.”
Nathan stared.
“She was there.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
Another photograph.
Lily at six months.
Then nine months.
Then one year.
Then two.
Nathan's hands began shaking.
“Someone was monitoring her.”
“Yes.”
“For years.”
Grace nodded.
Nathan turned to Helen.
“Why wasn't this facility shut down?”
Helen looked away.
“Because it belonged to the Cole Foundation.”
Nathan stared.
His family had funded it.
His family had hidden it.
His family had tracked his daughter.
Then Nathan saw one final document.
It was a medical report.
The patient's name:
Lily Cole.
Nathan stared.
The date was five years earlier.
But beneath it was a signature.
Richard Cole.
Nathan's face hardened.
“Why was she registered as Lily Cole?”
Helen looked at Grace.
Grace shook her head.
“I never gave her that name.”
Nathan turned.
“Then who did?”
Helen whispered:
“Your father.”
A second report was attached.
Nathan read it.
His face slowly drained of color.
“What?”
Grace looked at him.
“What does it say?”
Nathan couldn't answer.
She took the paper.
Then froze.
The report stated that Lily's genetic marker matched a confidential family study.
And beneath it was a note:
Subject may be essential to succession protocol.
Grace stared.
“What is succession protocol?”
Nathan shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Victoria, who had been silent, suddenly stepped forward.
“I do.”
Everyone turned.
She looked terrified.
“Your father told me about it once.”
Nathan stared.
“Tell me.”
Victoria swallowed.
“He believed your bloodline was unstable.”
“What does that mean?”
“He wanted to control who inherited the Cole empire.”
Nathan frowned.
“And Lily?”
Victoria whispered:
“Lily was supposed to become the legal heir.”
Grace stared.
“Why?”
“Because Richard believed Nathan would eventually rebel.”
Nathan's expression hardened.
“So he planned to remove me.”
Victoria nodded.
“And use my daughter.”
Suddenly Nathan's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Who is this?”
Richard's voice came through.
Calm.
Cold.
“You've been reading my files.”
Nathan's blood ran cold.
“Where is Lily?”
“Safe.”
“Bring her back.”
“You still don't understand.”
“I understand everything.”
“No.”
Richard laughed softly.
“You understand the past.”
Nathan's grip tightened.
“What does that mean?”
“It means you have no idea what your daughter was born for.”
Grace grabbed Nathan's arm.
Richard continued:
“Come to the old Cole estate.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because if you want Lily back…”
A pause.
“You'll have to learn why I took her in the first place.”
The call ended.
Nathan stared at the phone.
Grace whispered:
“It's a trap.”
“I know.”
“Then don't go.”
Nathan looked at her.
“I have to.”
Grace shook her head.
“We've spent five years running.”
Nathan took her hand.
“Not anymore.”
He looked toward the hallway.
“I'm bringing our daughter home.”
That night, Nathan entered the old estate alone.
He carried no weapon.
No security team.
Only the key Victoria had given him.
The front door opened by itself.
A voice came from inside.
“You came.”
Nathan stepped into the darkness.
Richard emerged.
Older.
Thinner.
But alive.
Nathan stared at his father.
“You stole five years from me.”
Richard smiled.
“I gave you a future.”
“You destroyed my family.”
“I protected the family.”
“You kidnapped my daughter.”
“I protected her.”
Nathan's fists clenched.
“Where is Lily?”
Richard pointed upstairs.
“She's here.”
Nathan started forward.
Richard stopped him.
“Before you see her…”
“What?”
“You need to know the truth.”
Nathan stared.
Richard's smile disappeared.
“Lily wasn't the reason I separated you from Grace.”
Nathan froze.
“Then what was?”
Richard looked directly into his son's eyes.
“You were.”
A long silence.
Richard continued:
“Because five years ago, I discovered something about you.”
“What?”
“You were never supposed to inherit Cole Holdings.”
Nathan stared.
“Why?”
Richard's voice dropped.
“Because you aren't the person you think you are.”
And behind him…
a little girl's voice echoed from the staircase.
“Daddy?”
Nathan looked up.
Lily stood there.
But she wasn't alone.
A woman was holding her hand.
Nathan's heart stopped.
His mother.
May you like
Margaret.
And she was crying.
