The children she took

Elena couldn't move.

Evelyn stood at the entrance, holding the photograph against her chest.

For years, the family had searched for her.

Some believed she was dead. Others believed she had abandoned them.

But she was standing there.

Alive.

And apparently, carrying another secret.

“What do you mean?” Elena finally asked. “What other child did you take?”

Evelyn looked around the room.

“Before I answer, I need everyone to understand something. The hospital records were not changed to protect one child. They were changed to protect several.”

Catherine stepped forward.

“You took my daughter.”

“I saved your daughter.”

“You separated me from her!”

Evelyn lowered her eyes.

“I know.”

Catherine's voice broke.

“Do you have any idea what that did to me?”

“I do. And I have regretted it every day.”

Charles moved closer.

“You don't get to return after all these years and pretend you were protecting everyone.”

Evelyn looked at him.

“You're the last person who should question my decisions.”

Charles's expression hardened.

“Tell them the truth.”

Evelyn placed the photograph on the desk.

It showed three newborn babies lying in separate hospital bassinets.

Beneath it were three names.

ELENA.

VICTORIA.

THE CHILD OF CATHERINE.

Elena stared at the photograph.

“Why are there three names?”

“Because three children were at the centre of the original inheritance agreement,” Evelyn replied.

Catherine looked confused.

“But I was told my daughter was the third baby.”

“She was.”

“Then who were the other two?”

Evelyn turned toward Elena.

“Your birth was recorded under the wrong identity. Victoria's was also changed. The hospital wanted to make sure nobody could trace the children back to their mothers.”

Adrian frowned.

“Why would the hospital be involved in a family inheritance dispute?”

“Because someone paid them to cooperate.”

“Who?”

Evelyn looked at Charles.

He shook his head.

“Don't you dare.”

But Evelyn continued.

“Alexander Blackwood.”

Adrian's expression changed.

“My grandfather?”

“Yes.”

Elena looked at the photograph again.

“So my grandfather's family arranged the changes?”

“Your grandfather believed the inheritance would destroy the children if their identities became public. He wanted to control where each child grew up.”

Jonathan interrupted.

“That isn't the whole truth.”

Evelyn turned toward him.

“No. It isn't.”

He stepped closer.

“You promised we would never discuss the fourth child.”

Elena's heart began to race.

“Fourth child?”

Evelyn closed her eyes.

“The night those three babies were born, another child was delivered.”

Silence filled the room.

Margaret covered her mouth.

Catherine stared at Evelyn.

“Who was the fourth baby?”

Evelyn looked at the photograph.

“That child was never included in the inheritance agreement.”

Charles laughed bitterly.

“Because that child was never supposed to exist.”

Adrian's voice became cold.

“What are you talking about?”

Evelyn looked at him.

“The fourth child was born to a woman whose name had been removed from every record.”

Elena felt a chill.

“Who was the woman?”

“I don't know.”

Charles stepped forward.

“That's a lie.”

Evelyn turned sharply.

“You know who she was?”

Charles said nothing.

Catherine looked between them.

“Charles?”

He walked toward the desk and picked up the photograph.

“The fourth child was the reason Michael Hayes created the original agreement. He believed that child would eventually inherit everything.”

Adrian frowned.

“Then why wasn't the child included?”

“Because the child disappeared before the agreement was signed.”

Jonathan shook his head.

“That's not what happened.”

Charles turned toward him.

“You knew?”

Jonathan's expression remained serious.

“I knew the child was alive.”

Elena's breathing became uneven.

“Where is the child now?”

Jonathan looked at Evelyn.

She shook her head.

“I don't know.”

“Then why did you say you took another child from the hospital?”

Evelyn reached into her bag and removed a second photograph.

This one showed a young woman standing outside the hospital.

She was holding a baby.

On the back was a date and a handwritten sentence.

THE FOURTH CHILD LEFT WITH HER MOTHER.

Elena stared at the photograph.

“Who is she?”

Evelyn's voice became barely audible.

“Her name was Rose.”

Margaret looked startled.

“Michael's sister?”

Evelyn nodded.

“Yes. But Rose wasn't his biological sister.”

Charles looked away.

Catherine's eyes widened.

“Then who was she?”

Evelyn hesitated.

“Michael's wife.”

Margaret stepped backward.

“But I married Matthew.”

“Yes,” Evelyn replied. “And Michael was already married to Rose.”

The room went completely silent.

Adrian looked at Jonathan.

“Why did you let us believe otherwise?”

Jonathan answered quietly.

“Because Rose was the only person who knew where the fourth child had gone.”

Elena looked at Evelyn.

“Where is she?”

Evelyn's eyes filled.

“Rose died many years ago.”

Catherine lowered her head.

“So the fourth child is alone?”

“No,” Evelyn replied.

She reached into her bag again and brought out a small folded paper.

“Before Rose died, she sent me this.”

Elena unfolded it.

There was only one sentence.

If you ever find the child, tell them their mother never abandoned them.

Beneath it was a name.

A name Elena had heard many times.

She stared at it, unable to speak.

Then she whispered,

“That's impossible.”

Adrian looked over her shoulder.

His face changed.

Because the name on the paper belonged to someone they all knew.

Someone who had been standing beside them throughout the search.

Someone who had never once been suspected.

And before anyone could ask a question, Evelyn spoke.

“The fourth child is still alive.”

She looked directly at Margaret.

“And you've known that person for years.”