Chapter 2 - SIX YEARS EARLIER
Six years earlier, Elena Hayes had not been a maid.
She had been a nursing student.
She worked evenings at a small restaurant near Adrian Blackwood’s corporate headquarters.
Adrian had been thirty-four.
Recently divorced.
Private.
Constantly followed by reporters.
They met because he came into the restaurant during a thunderstorm.
His driver had been delayed.
Every table was occupied except one near Elena’s station.
She treated him like everyone else.
That surprised him.
Their relationship began quietly.
Coffee after her shift.
Walks along the river.
Late-night conversations inside his car.
Adrian never promised Elena money.
Elena never asked for it.
For almost a year, they managed to keep their relationship away from the newspapers.
Then Elena became pregnant.
She expected Adrian to panic.
Instead, he smiled.
“We’re having a baby?”
Elena laughed through her tears.
“Yes.”
He hugged her.
For three months, everything seemed perfect.
Then Adrian’s father suffered a massive stroke.
The Blackwood company entered a financial crisis.
Adrian was forced to spend months traveling between New York, London, and Singapore.
That was when Vanessa entered Elena’s life.
Vanessa Cole was Adrian’s family attorney.
Elegant.
Connected.
Trusted.
She arrived at Elena’s apartment carrying documents.
“Adrian asked me to help while he’s overseas.”
Elena believed her.
That mistake cost her six years.
Vanessa slowly isolated them.
Messages disappeared.
Calls failed.
Letters never arrived.
Whenever Elena asked about Adrian, Vanessa had an explanation.
“He’s in negotiations.”
“He’ll call tomorrow.”
“He’s under enormous pressure.”
Then Elena went into labor three weeks early.
She called Adrian.
No answer.
She called Vanessa.
Vanessa answered immediately.
“I’m coming.”
Eleven hours after Gabriel was born, Elena woke to an empty bassinet.
A nurse told her the baby had been transferred.
Transferred where?
Nobody could explain.
Then Vanessa entered the room.
She carried papers.
And a lie.
“The baby developed complications.”
Elena remembered screaming.
“Where is he?”
Vanessa sat beside her.
“I’m sorry.”
Two words.
That was all.
Elena collapsed.
She believed her son had died.
Vanessa even arranged the paperwork.
There was no funeral.
No body.
She claimed hospital regulations had complicated everything.
Elena had been young.
Medicated.
Broken.
She signed papers she barely understood.
Weeks later, Adrian returned.
But Vanessa intercepted him too.
She told him Elena had disappeared after losing the pregnancy.
Adrian searched.
The apartment was empty.
Elena had moved in with an aunt after suffering a breakdown.
Months passed.
Then Vanessa became Adrian’s closest confidante.
Two years later, they married.
And Vanessa introduced him to a child she claimed was her biological son from a private pregnancy she had concealed from the public.
Adrian adopted Noah legally.
He never knew the child was already his.
Back in the mansion, Adrian listened without interrupting.
When Elena finished, his hands were shaking.
Not visibly.
But Elena noticed.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“A beautiful story.”
Adrian turned toward her.
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“Then we can settle this easily.”
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed.
“How?”
“A DNA test.”
Silence.
Noah looked between the adults.
Vanessa laughed again.
“You’re seriously considering this?”
“I’m not considering anything.”
Adrian pulled out his phone.
“I’m verifying it.”
Vanessa suddenly grabbed his wrist.
That was her second mistake.
Adrian looked down at her hand.
“Let go.”
She did.
He called Dr. Samuel Reed, the Blackwood family physician.
“I need you at my house.”
Vanessa walked away.
Adrian watched her.
“And Samuel?”
“Yes?”
“Bring a DNA collection kit.”
Vanessa stopped.
Her back remained toward them.
Adrian saw her shoulders stiffen.
He ended the call.
Then Noah spoke quietly.
“Daddy?”
Adrian crouched beside him.
“Yes?”
“Is Elena really my mommy?”
Adrian looked at Elena.
“I don’t know yet.”
Noah thought for a moment.
Then he whispered something that made Elena cry again.
“I hope she is.”
May you like
Vanessa heard him.
And something cold entered her eyes.
