CHAPTER 2 — THE TRUTH NO ONE KNEW
Six years earlier, the father had been a struggling young businessman.
When the little girl was born, he feared that a public scandal would destroy the career he had worked so hard to build.
The child's mother had come from a poor background. His wealthy family never accepted her.
Under pressure, he made a terrible decision.
He paid her to disappear and told the world she had died.
Heartbroken and powerless, she left.
But she couldn't stay away from her daughter.
Years later, she secretly returned and found work in the household as a maid just to be near the child.
She never revealed the truth.
She watched birthdays from a distance.
She tucked the little girl into bed.
She comforted her after nightmares.
And somehow, despite never being told, the child always felt a strange connection.
Then one day, while exploring an old storage room, the girl discovered hidden letters and photographs.
She learned the truth.
That was why she ran across the ballroom.
That was why she spoke her first word.
May you like
Not because she suddenly found her voice.
But because she had finally found her mother.
