Chapter 3: The Child They Stole
Guests surged closer as Daisy unfolded the letter. Her small hands trembled, but her voice stayed steady.
“My sister took everything from me.”
The first line sent a wave of shock through the ballroom. Lenora immediately tried to grab the paper, but Charles stepped between them.
Daisy kept reading.
“She took my inheritance. She took my name. And then she took my daughter.”
The ballroom erupted. Reporters shouted questions. Guests stared at Lenora in disbelief.
Daisy lowered the letter.
“My mother said I wasn’t her only child.”
Lenora’s face lost all color.
Across the room sat a young woman in an elegant white dress. Until now, she’d remained silent. Her name was Victoria Vance. Lenora’s daughter.
Daisy slowly turned toward her.
“My mother wrote your name.”
Victoria froze.
“What?”
Daisy’s eyes filled with tears.
“She said you weren’t really Lenora’s daughter.”
The room exploded into chaos. Victoria stepped backward.
“No.”
Daisy reached into the envelope and pulled out a hospital document. A birth certificate.
Charles took it and immediately started shaking.
“This can’t be…”
But the names were unmistakable.
Lydia Vance. Female child. Victoria Grace Vance. Twenty-two years ago.
Victoria looked at her mother.
“Mom?”
Lenora couldn’t answer. Because for the first time, the truth was standing right in front of everyone.
