Chapter 1: The Truth Hidden for Six Years
For several long seconds, nobody in the patisserie moved.
Edward Carter stared at the photograph in his trembling hands.
His daughter.
His Emily.
The same smile.
The same gentle eyes.
And beside her, the newborn baby he had never stopped searching for.
"Lily..." he whispered.
The little girl looked at him weakly.
Her feverish eyes struggled to stay open.
The boy tightened his grip around her.
"Please don't take her away from me."
Edward immediately shook his head.
His voice broke.
"I would never do that."
The billionaire slowly knelt before the children.
For the first time in decades, the most powerful businessman in the city looked completely helpless.
"What is your name, son?"
"Ryan."
"And how long have you been taking care of Lily?"
Ryan hesitated.
"Since Mom died."
The answer struck Edward like a knife.
"Emily is dead?"
Ryan lowered his eyes.
Three months earlier, their mother had passed away after years of illness and poverty.
Before dying, she gave Ryan the photograph and the bracelet.
She told him only one thing.
"If Lily is ever hungry... take her somewhere beautiful. That's where her grandfather will find her."
Tears streamed down Edward's face.
His daughter had known he was still searching.
She had never forgotten him.
But someone had kept them apart.
Someone had stolen six years from their family.
Edward stood slowly.
His expression changed.
The grief remained.
But now it was joined by determination.
"Find out everything," he ordered his security chief.
"Who took my daughter from that hospital."
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"And why."
For the first time in six years, the search had finally begun again.
