Chapter 13 - THE SECRET OF THE BABY IN THE PHOTO
The photograph fell silent over the room.
Nobody moved.
The bride stared at it.
“That’s my father.”
Her voice barely existed.
Clara nodded.
“Yes.”
The bride looked at Sofia.
“Why was he with your mother?”
Sofia looked confused.
“I don’t know.”
Eleanor closed her eyes.
Because the secret she buried had finally returned.
The officer picked up the photograph.
“When was this taken?”
Clara answered.
“Fifteen years ago.”
The officer looked at the baby.
“And who is this child?”
Nobody answered.
The question hung in the air.
The bride looked at Eleanor.
“You knew.”
Eleanor looked away.
“You don’t understand.”
The bride’s voice became stronger.
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“I understand enough.”
She pointed at the photo.
“My father was involved.”
Eleanor remained quiet.
Clara opened the diary.
“Your father discovered what Eleanor was doing.”
The bride froze.
“What was she doing?”
Clara looked at Eleanor.
“Manipulating inheritance records.”
The guests listened carefully.
“Changing documents.”
“Destroying evidence.”
“Removing people who threatened her control.”
Eleanor finally spoke.
“Careful.”
Clara ignored her.
“Sofia’s mother found the evidence.”
Sofia looked down.
“She was trying to protect me.”
“Yes.”
Clara looked at her.
“But she also discovered something else.”
“What?”
Clara turned the diary page.
“She discovered Sofia’s identity.”
The room became silent.
The bride whispered.
“What does that mean?”
Eleanor suddenly spoke.
“That’s enough.”
The officer looked at her.
“Enough?”
Eleanor’s voice became cold.
“You have no idea what you are uncovering.”
Clara smiled.
“That’s exactly why we are uncovering it.”
She removed another document.
A DNA report.
The bride looked shocked.
“What is that?”
Clara answered.
“The proof of who Sofia’s father really is.”
Sofia stared at the paper.
She had never known.
She had spent her whole life believing she had no family left.
The officer opened the document.
Everyone waited.
Then his expression changed.
“No…”
The bride looked at him.
“What?”
He slowly raised his eyes.
“Sofia isn’t connected to a stranger.”
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A pause.
“She is connected to this family.”
