CHAPTER 5

Liam's POV

Dinner was quiet at first.

Diana pushed her fork around her plate without really eating.

I tried to get her talking.

“How was school?”

“Fine.”

“What did you draw today?”

“Nothing much.”

“What book are you reading?”

She shrugged.

Something was bothering her. Finally, she put her fork down and looked at me.

“Daddy.”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“Can I ask you something?”

I already knew what she was going to ask but I nodded anyways.

“Go ahead.”

Her eyes searched mine, “Where is my mommy?”

The question hit me like it always did.

I forced a small smile, “She’s not here, Diana. But you have me. I'll always be here.”

She didn't look convinced, “That’s the same answer every time. You never tell me anything else.”

“Because that’s all I can tell you,” I said gently.

She pushed her chair back and pulled her knees up.

Tears filled her eyes.

“It’s not fair. Everyone in my class has a mommy. Why don't I?”

I couldn't stand watching her cry. I reached for her and pulled her onto my lap.

She buried her face against my chest.

“I know it hurts,” I whispered, running my hand through her hair. “If I could change it, I would.”

“Then find her.” Her voice broke. “Please, Daddy. I just want to see her.”

I had no answer.

For years, I had told myself that leaving the past alone was better for everyone.

But hearing my daughter cry made me question everything.

I kissed the top of her head.

“Alright. I'll find her.”

She lifted her head, her eyes widened.

“You promise?”

“Yes.”

“For real this time?”

“For real.”

She hugged me again.

After a while, her crying stopped. She started yawning, and I carried her upstairs.

I tucked her into bed.

She held my hand until she fell asleep.

I stayed for a few seconds before leaving the room.

The house felt unusually quiet.

I went downstairs and poured myself a drink.

Her words kept replaying in my head. I couldn't break my promise.

I picked up my phone and called Ivan.

He answered almost immediately.

“Yes, sir?”

“I need you to find someone.”

“Who?”

“The surrogate from five years ago.”

There was a short pause.

“What exactly do you need?”

“I want to know where she is, what she's been doing, and everything you can find about her.”

Ivan hesitated, “She disappeared after the birth. It might take some time.”

“Then start now.”

“Yes, sir.”

I ended the call and leaned back in my chair.

My mind went back to earlier today.

The woman that was hired. She had kept her head high and had answered questions confidently.

Something about her had felt familiar. I couldn't explain it.

Could it have been her?

I had only seen the surrogate lady twice during the surrogacy.

Still, I couldn't shake the thought.

I finished my drink and poured the rest into the sink.

The following morning, I sat in my office staring at a file without reading it.

I couldn't stop thinking about Diana.

Her tears, her questions. The way she had asked me where her mother was.

“Liam.”

I looked up.

Adrian stood in the doorway. My best friend and CFO of Cole Conglomerate.

His jacket was off, and his tie was loose.

He walked inside.

“You've been sitting there for an hour and haven't touched anything.” He pulled out the chair across from me, “What's going on?”

I rubbed my forehead.

“It's Diana.”

Adrian sat down.

“It's always Diana. What happened?”

“She asked about her mother again.”

“And?”

“She cried. I promised her I'd find her.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow, “You've been giving her the same answer for years. What's different now?”

“This time, it broke her.” I looked down at my hands, “I could see it in her face. She doesn't believe me anymore. She thinks I'm hiding something.”

Adrian tilted his head.

“Are you?”

I looked at him.

“I've told you everything I know. The surrogate signed the contract, gave birth, and left. That's it.”

“Except it isn't.” He tapped his finger against the desk, “You've also been distracted lately.”

“Drop it.”

He leaned forward.

“Liam, you've built this company from the ground up. You've handled every deal and every problem. But when it comes to Diana, you don't know what to do.”

I stayed quiet.

“You can't keep promising her something you don't intend to deliver,” he continued. “If you're serious about finding this woman, then actually find her.”

“I already called Ivan. He's looking.”

Adrian smiled.

“Good. Then stop torturing yourself and focus. Either you find her or you let it go.”

“I can't let it go.” My voice came out rough, “Diana deserves the truth. She deserves her mother.”

Adrian studied me for a moment before nodding.

“Then prepare yourself.”

“For what?”

“Truths have a way of changing everything.”

I leaned back in my chair and looked toward the city.

That woman named Ava Morales, wouldn't leave my mind.

And something told me I was closer to the truth than I realized.