Chapter 2: The Secret Buried for Twenty-Five Years
Chapter 2: The Secret Buried for Twenty-Five Years
Every eye turned toward William.
His daughter, Margaret Lancaster, rushed to his side.
"Father, don't."
But it was already too late.
William stared at the necklace with tears filling his eyes.
"I buried that truth twenty-five years ago."
The waitress looked at him calmly.
"My name is Lily."
"My adoptive parents gave me this necklace before they died."
"They told me my twin sister would have the other half."
Gasps rippled through the room.
Chloe stepped backward.
"This is ridiculous."
"My mother never had twins."
Lily slowly produced a worn envelope.
"It was sealed with your family crest."
Inside was a hospital record.
Birth certificates.
Adoption papers.
And one handwritten letter.
William recognized the handwriting instantly.
His late wife's.
Margaret tried to snatch the papers.
A family attorney intercepted her.
"I wouldn't."
He quietly examined the documents.
His expression changed.
"They're authentic."
Silence crushed the ballroom.
William finally confessed.
"When the girls were born..."
"...our company was collapsing."
"The doctors warned your mother that caring for two premature babies would require years of expensive treatment."
"We believed..."
His voice broke.
"...we could only save one."
Margaret closed her eyes.
"My mother arranged a private adoption."
"We told everyone the second baby died."
Lily stood perfectly still.
"So instead of losing a daughter..."
May you like
"...you abandoned one."
No one could answer.
