Chapter 12: Eve of the gala.

ISADORA’S POV

The phone call with Beatrice ended in pure terror, and my whole body shook as I held the dead receiver against my ear.

I sat in my car outside the event building for a long time, trying to decide if I should just turn around and drive home.

I knew walking into that crowded building was dangerous, but my need for the truth was stronger than my fear.

I stepped out into the night air and adjusted the sleeves of my dress while my mind churned over Beatrice’s warning.

Then while I was there, a shadow moved behind one of the big concrete pillars near the entrance, and I slowed my steps down.

Then, Aunt Katie emerged from behind the pillar, looking nervously over both of her shoulders before she stepped into my path.

She gripped the handles of her purse tight, checked the hallway behind her one more time, and then hurried straight toward me.

"Isa, take this before someone sees us," Aunt Katie whispered, pressing a thick paper envelope into my palms.

I looked down at the heavy wax seal and felt a knot form in my throat.

"What is inside this envelope?" I asked, turning slightly so my body blocked the view from the street.

"It is the original birth registry from twenty-seven years ago," Aunt Katie explained, taking a quick step back into the dark corner.

My fingers tightened around the paper because I knew this held the answers I wanted for months.

"Are you sure this is real?" I inquired, taking a small step closer to her.

I struggled with the fear of opening it and finally learning the truth about the missing child.

"I stole it from the vault myself," Aunt Katie admitted, nodding her head slowly.

She glanced over her shoulder toward the glass doors, turned around quickly, and hurried down the side steps into the darkness.

I stood alone on the pavement, staring at the thick paper in my hands while my heart raced.

I raised my thumb to break the seal, but someone stepped out from the main entrance doors and called my name.

"Do not open that yet, Isadora," Rafael begged, walking up to me and reaching out to touch my wrists gently.

I pulled my hands back slightly, staring into his eyes to see if he was lying to me again.

"Why should I wait?" I demanded, holding the envelope flat against my chest.

I wrestled with my suspicion because every part of me wanted to tear the paper open immediately.

"Because we need to be in private when you read it," Rafael urged, shaking his head with desperation.

"I have waited long enough for the truth," I argued, taking a firm step backward.

"I swear to you that tonight I will tear our contract apart myself," Rafael promised, placing his hand over his heart.

I paused, listening to the sincerity in his voice while my thoughts spun out of control.

I had to choose between trusting the man I cared about or finding out the truth right this second.

"You expect me to believe you after everything?" I asked, lowering my hands just a little bit.

"Give me one hour until the speeches are over," Rafael pleaded, looking over his shoulder toward the main hall.

"Fine, but if you lie to me again, I am finished with you," I declared, tucking the envelope safely inside my coat pocket.

Rafael took a deep breath, and his posture relaxed just a little bit.

"Thank you, Isadora," he muttered, opening the large glass door for me.

We walked into the center of the crowded room, where hundreds of guests were chatting and drinking.

I kept my hand inside my coat pocket, resting my fingers on the edge of the envelope with my head spinning as I tried to guess what name was written on that old birth paper.

Then a loud chime echoed through the speakers, and the bright lights above us dimmed slightly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our hosts," an announcer called out from the back of the hall as Rosalind walked onto the main stage wearing a bright red dress, and Everett stepped right beside her.

I felt a sudden knot in my stomach as I watched the two of them standing side by side.

"What are they doing up there together?" I asked Rafael, leaning close to his side.

"I do not know, but I do not like this," Rafael answered, his jaw tightening as he stared at the stage.

Rosalind pulled the microphone close to her mouth and smiled down at the crowd.

"Tonight, we are here to change the future of both our families," Rosalind announced, looking directly toward where Rafael and I were standing.

I held my breath as I tried to figure out what kind of scheme she was pulling this time.

Then, Everett raised his glass toward the audience, looking proud and confident.

"We are officially announcing a landmark merger between the remaining Fenwick assets and the entire Ossorio empire," Rosalind declared, her voice ringing out through the speakers as the entire room erupted into loud applause, but my blood ran cold as I listened to her words.

I looked at Rafael, and he seemed just as shocked as I was by the news.

"They are taking everything away from us," I whispered, reaching into my pocket for the sealed envelope.

I realized that waiting for Rafael was a mistake, and I needed to know the truth right now.

I slid my fingers under the wax seal and ripped the top of the envelope open.

I pulled out the old paper, unfolded it quickly, and scanned down to the name at the very bottom.

My heart stopped completely when I saw the real name of the stolen baby written in dark black ink.