PART 3
Three hours later, Olivia sat inside Alexander's penthouse overlooking the city.
Rain streaked across the windows.
Neither of them had touched the coffee growing cold between them.
Alexander placed an old leather journal on the table.
"It belonged to your mother."
Olivia opened it carefully.
Inside were dozens of letters.
Letters never sent.
Letters written to a daughter she desperately loved.
Tears blurred Olivia's vision.
Then she found a photograph.
A man holding a baby.
Her.
Written on the back were four words.
For Olivia and forever.
Beneath it was a name.
Daniel Hart.
Olivia looked up.
"My father?"
Alexander nodded.
"He never abandoned you."
The world tilted.
"What?"
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"The night your mother disappeared, Daniel was told both of you had died in an accident."
Olivia covered her mouth.
"No..."
"For twenty-six years, he believed it."
Another lie.
Another stolen life.
Alexander opened a file.
Inside were investigation reports.
Private detectives.
Bank records.
Witness statements.
Evidence.
One person appeared repeatedly.
Margaret Bennett.
Olivia's grandmother.
The woman who had raised her.
The woman who always refused to discuss the past.
The woman who claimed she was protecting everyone.
Olivia's heart shattered.
"She lied?"
Alexander looked away.
"She thought your grandfather would destroy your parents if he found them."
The room fell silent.
Years of secrets.
Years of fear.
Years of lost love.
All caused by one terrible decision.
Then Alexander's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed instantly.
For the first time all night, hope appeared in his eyes.
"They found him."
Olivia's breath caught.
"Found who?"
Alexander smiled softly.
"Your father."
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And for the first time in twenty-six years...
Daniel Hart was coming home.
