He’d Stolen My Daughter

OPHELIA

Ronan’s brow lifted even further. He said nothing. For a minute, his brown eyes fixed on me as if trying to read my thoughts.

I shifted uncomfortably. For some reason, this man unsettled me. Unlike his brother's golden retriever look of brown hair and blue eyes, he was like a dark monster lurking for his prey. From his dark eyes to the permanent scowl, he gives off the feeling that makes everyone turn in the opposite direction.

I would've too, if what I needed wasn't so important.

“You’re not my type,” the words rolled out of his mouth. Dressing like this…” he shot a glance toward my outfit. “won’t work for me.”

My mouth dropped to the floor.

“W-what?” I was utterly speechless.

“You heard me.”

I let out a disbelieving laugh, tugging my dress lower. “How confident of you to think I’d dress to impress you. I’ve always dressed like this.”

“Not in these years?”

“And that’s because…” I trailed off. This man was trying to pry answers from me.

“Sit.” His voice was low and commanding.

I sat on the leather swivel chair opposite him and went straight to the point. “I need the hospital report from the 16th of November.”

“I see.” The corners of his lips lifted slightly. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled to his elbows exposing veins that moved as he picked up the pen on his table and began to write something on the document before him.

“It took you three years.” He didn’t raise his gaze. “I must say that you’re quite slow, Mrs Whitmore.”

“You seem to know why I’m here.”

He looked at me for a single second and returned his attention to the document.

When he said nothing, I pressed further. “It’s urgent. You have the records of my daughter’s birthday.”

“Careful,” he cut in sharply. “I am no hospital’s record keeper.”

I bit the insides of my cheek. “You have it. You're the chairman of the hospital.”

“And why should I help you with it?” He finally let the pen down, the soft click echoing through the office. “Because last time I checked, I was blamed for your child’s death exactly three years ago.”

“And that said child is alive,” I revealed.

He only shrugged, not the tiniest bit surprised at my revelation.

Wonderful.

Even he knew. Of course, this man was aware of everything that happened years ago. He had the records.

“And I don’t see how that is my business,” Mrs Whit…”

“Ophelia.”

“I’m amazed.” As if he was amused by my whole tragic situation, he chuckled.

My fingers shoved my hair off my face. “You know something about my child. Tell me already.” I snapped.

“That is a huge assumption.”

He leaned back slowly into his chair, one hand sprawled on the armrest, the other adjusting his tie. “But I am a businessman. Nothing goes for nothing.”

My nails bit into my palms. “What do you want? I’d do anything.” I was dying to get the answers that I needed. Not a wink of sleep had I gotten because the questions in my head were like a tornado.

“Anything?”

Without thinking, I nodded.

Amusement danced in Ronan’s eyes. He opened his drawer and pulled out a document. “I haven’t decided yet. But this isn’t free.”

I didn’t wait for him to place it fully on the table before I took it, my trembling fingers straightening the paper.

Birth certificate.

Adilia Whitmore. Mother, Ophelia Whitmore.

I looked up when he placed a tablet before me, my eyes widening at the CCTV video on it as if they were struggling to accept it.

“Th-this…”

‘16/11/2022’ the exact day I’d given birth.

My gaze glued to the screen as it played.

While I was unconscious, a nurse stepped into the room with a baby in her hand. She exchanged unheard words with Julius and walked to the crib where my child lay. My body went still as I watched her switch my baby with the one in her hand. The new baby looked immobile and had the same birthmark my child had underneath her foot.

But it looked fake. Drawn even.

And Julius…. He stood there the whole time.

My fingers let go of the tablet.

“That’s enough.” He pulled it away.

A whole minute passed and I still stared blankly into space, connecting the dots in my head.

Julius having my child with his mistress wasn’t a coincidence.

He’d watched this happen.

He’d stolen my daughter!

Why? Why would he steal our child? Why exactly? Who truly was the man that I married?

“I do not request an apology for blaming me all these years,” Ronan broke my thoughts casually.

“Why would he ever do that?” I didn’t realize I’d spoken that out loud.

“It’s simple. Power.” I raised my eyes. He casually picked up his pen and continued with his documents. “My brother loves power more than people.” His gaze again settled on me quietly.

“Wh-what power?”

“He’s your husband, you should know what he is,” he replied.

The chair screeched loudly as I abruptly rose. “You knew everything," I breathed, my voice raising. “Why are you only telling me now? Why haven’t you said anything all these years?”

My chest heaved and my eyes blinked rapidly to force my tears back. Ronan didn’t match the fervor of my voice. Instead, he leaned on the table and shrugged, black hair falling slightly over his forehead.

“Three years ago, you cursed me for not being my brother’s keeper. I did just that.”

Brother’s keeper? How ridiculous. The two were sworn enemies.

“You know what? Your entire family is fucking shitty,” I spat, not caring that I’d cursed for the first time in years. “One brother is a pretentious fucking psychopath and the other is an insufferable jerk. I hope you both rot in the worst hell.”

Every word came out sharp as knives and once I was done, I grabbed my child’s birth certificate and began to storm out of his godforsaken office.

“You want your daughter?”

His words caused me to pause just as I held the door’s handle.

Loud footsteps echoed behind me and when I turned he was right before me. He towered

over me, hands crossed behind his back.

“Isn’t that what you want? To get your daughter back and make him suffer?”

Alia’s face flashed in my head. Her round green eyes when she peered up at me and genuinely told me that she liked me last night.

He was right. I needed her. I desperately wanted her back.

And for sure, I wanted Julius to pay for his sins. For subjecting my daughter to a woman who didn't even care to research her condition. For deceiving me with practiced love all these years. For everything.

He continued, “We have a common enemy now, don’t we?”

“Wh-what do you want?”

He smiled. “You learn fast.” I flinched when his hand suddenly fell on my hair. Seeing my reaction, he returned his hand behind his back and stated. “I haven’t decided. When I do, I’ll surely let you know.”