เข้าสู่ระบบNoraSeveral days had passed since the attack.Alexander remained in the hospital. Every morning began with a visit to his room before I went to Beaumont, and every evening ended the same way. He was still unconscious.Every evening ended the same way.He was still unconscious.Bernard sat opposite me in my office. He had arrived from London after hearing about the attack on the children.The police told us Vivienne had refused to cooperate. Every allegation had been met with the same answer.Bernard looked up from the document he was reading."They've questioned her six times."He removed his glasses and set them on the desk."Every interview ends within minutes."I looked at the report again."She hasn't answered a single meaningful question.""No."Bernard leaned back in his chair."She's protecting someone."Bernard lifted his eyes."Who could that be?"I looked at the closed file beneath my hand."Her daughter."I arrived at police headquarters less than an hour later.The lead
Gregory sat alone at the far end of Beaumont Group's boardroom.The folders prepared for the emergency meeting remained unopened before him.Around the table, directors avoided his eyes.The senior director cleared his throat."Before we proceed, I'd like to know whether the motion still has enough support to move forward."No one answered immediately.One director adjusted his glasses.Another closed the report in front of him.Finally, Director Hayes looked across the table."I've changed my vote."Gregory didn't move.Hayes folded his hands together."I support Ms. Vance."Another director nodded."So do I."A third voice followed."My position has changed as well."One by one, directors who had privately backed Gregory withdrew their support.The senior director made several notes before looking up."It appears the motion no longer has sufficient votes."He closed the file."The emergency vote will not proceed."The meeting had ended before it truly began.Gregory rested both hand
CharlieA knock sounded against my office door.I looked up from the file in front of me."Come in."My secretary stepped inside."Mr. Sinclair, your mother is here."My hand stopped on the document."My mother?""Yes."I nodded."Please send her in."She stepped aside as Mum entered the office.She carried a large sealed envelope against her side.The moment our eyes met, I knew she hadn't come for a casual visit."Mother.""Charlie."I walked around the desk."Please, have a seat."She shook her head."I won't stay long."She crossed the room and placed the envelope on my desk.The paper landed softly between us.My eyes dropped to it."There is something you need to know."I looked back at her."What is it?"She nodded toward the envelope."Open it."I slipped a finger beneath the seal and drew out a document.The heading caught my attention immediately.DNA Paternity Test ReportA line formed between my brows.My eyes moved lower. The report listed two names.Lena Beaumont and Th
Morning arrived beneath a sky covered by low gray clouds.Three police vehicles turned into the driveway of the Vance residence before stopping one behind the other.The engines fell silent.The lead detective stepped out first. Two uniformed officers followed, while another remained beside the final vehicle.The detective walked toward the front door with an arrest warrant in his hand.He raised his knuckles to knock.Before they reached the wood, the door opened.Vivienne stood on the other side.She wore a cream blouse beneath a dark cardigan. Her hair had been gathered neatly behind her head, and one hand still rested on the doorknob.Her eyes moved from the detective to the officers waiting behind him."Mrs. Vivienne Vance?" The detective held up his identification before lowering it again."Yes." She kept one hand on the door as she answered."My name is Detective Harris." He unfolded the warrant and held it where she could read it. "I have a warrant for your arrest."Vivienne l
Edmund left the cafe without looking back.The afternoon traffic moved steadily through the city, but he barely noticed the cars around him. His hands remained fixed on the steering wheel as the engine carried him from one street to the next without any destination in mind.Nora's voice followed him into the silence of the car."Did you ever take food to Mum that Vivienne prepared?"His fingers tightened around the steering wheel until the leather creased beneath his palms.The word had come so easily.Now it refused to leave him.A red light brought the car to a stop. Edmund stared through the windshield without seeing the intersection ahead. The memory returned on its own.A white container.Steam rising when Vivienne lifted the lid.Her smile."She hasn't been eating well."He swallowed.For years, it had been nothing more than an ordinary afternoon. He had remembered carrying the soup into Beatrice's room. He had remembered her thanking him before lifting the spoon.There had neve
NoraMy phone vibrated across the dining table.I looked at the screen before reaching for it.Bernard.I answered the call."Good morning.""I've just received the laboratory report." His voice remained steady. "I've sent it to your email."My fingers tightened around the phone."The results are back?""They are."I pushed my chair back and walked toward my study.The laptop sat where I had left it the night before.I opened it and signed into my email.A new message appeared at the top of my inbox.DNA Analysis Report"I'll stay on the line," Bernard said.I clicked the attachment.The laboratory logo filled the first page, below it were the sample numbers.One belonged to the strand of hair I had found hidden inside my mother's small leather pouch.The second belonged to the reference sample Bernard had submitted.I scrolled slowly.The words came into view one line at a time.Probability of Identity: 99.99%My hand stopped on the touchpad.I read the final paragraph again, then a
NORAThe doctor stepped out of the room and left me in silence. I sat on the edge of the exam table. My shoes were still damp from the walk in the rain, and the weight of the wedding ring on my finger felt like it was pulling my whole arm down.Without even thinking, I moved my hand to my stomach.
NORAI stood in the corridor of Mercy General, and I was soaked to the bone. My hair was plastered to my face, and every time I moved, my shoes made a heavy sound on the floor. The nurse who called me was waiting at the ICU doors. She looked at my wet clothes, then at my face, but she didn't say an
NORA"Sign it, Nora."Charlie was standing by the window. He didn't turn around. He had been standing like that for over an hour, looking at the Sinclair estate like I wasn't even in the room with him.The lawyer stood in the doorway and cleared his throat. He did not meet my eyes."Mrs. Sinclair,
CHARLIEMonday should have been productive. I had already attended three meetings, reviewed two acquisition reports, and answered enough emails to satisfy everyone who expected immediate responses from a Sinclair, but by afternoon I could barely remember half the conversations I had participated i







